Barn

[lovelife65]

Old barn. Skagit Valley.
Color didn't work so well - sky was blown.




Black and white better, I *think*. Yes, should have gotten rid of the distracting grasses.

[Donald]

I think what's so good in this, Sharon, is to to see you self-analysis. You're not just saying, 'Right guys, what do you think?' You're carrying out your own critique. And that's great. That, I think, is one of the key parts of learning.

I agree that the B & W works much better. There are various ways you could have approached that conversion and once you build up more skills in B & W conversion, you'll want to try other approaches. For example, you could have put in a lot more Local Contrast Enhancement (LCE) to get more 'pop' into it, or you could have pulled a lot more detail out of the sky.

But they are all artistic, aesthetic choices. By being your own best critic, you'll push yourself to explore and keep learning.

[chauncey]

You might have pruned the weeds before the shot.

[Donald]

You might have pruned the weeds before the shot.

I think Sharon noted that herself, William, which is part of what I meant about learning to be your own best critic.

[LePetomane]

Sharon, I like them both but give the nod to the B&W.

[billtils]

Sharon, Yes, the B&W for me too (and absolutely agree with Donald re the kudos for your self-analysis, and learning to look at things like the grasses as opportunities for improvement and not as failures in composition or post-processing).

[Wavelength]

I like both very well; but the colors in the first one is really magical and i prefer to take that home

[lovelife65]

I think what's so good in this, Sharon, is to to see you self-analysis. You're not just saying, 'Right guys, what do you think?' You're carrying out your own critique. And that's great. That, I think, is one of the key parts of learning.

I agree that the B & W works much better. There are various ways you could have approached that conversion and once you build up more skills in B & W conversion, you'll want to try other approaches. For example, you could have put in a lot more Local Contrast Enhancement (LCE) to get more 'pop' into it, or you could have pulled a lot more detail out of the sky.

But they are all artistic, aesthetic choices. By being your own best critic, you'll push yourself to explore and keep learning.

Thank you Donald . I certainly am able to see where things could be improved. I have such a wonderful camera, I need to be able to use it to its potential. I did play around with the image quite a bit. Something weird on the lens that I didn't notice at first thus the big crop. Bringing out the details absolutely. I'm still getting comfortable with processing my images. I don't want to be someone who goes so overboard on processing they don't look "natural". Yet, I realize knowing how to use LR/PS can in fact bring out more of what is seen when the camera / myself didn't quite get there. I should have metered this image differently for example.
There is much to learn and I'm in a fabulous place to do so. Would love more street opportunities, and I'm interested in "minimalist" stuff as well. Thank you again for taking the time to comment.

[lovelife65]

I think Sharon noted that herself, William, which is part of what I meant about learning to be your own best critic.

I would have pruned, but alas private property and don't want to intrude.

[lovelife65]

Sharon, Yes, the B&W for me too (and absolutely agree with Donald re the kudos for your self-analysis, and learning to look at things like the grasses as opportunities for improvement and not as failures in composition or post-processing).

Thank you Bill. I am beginning to see my own "failures". This forum helps in learning for sure.

[lovelife65]

I like both very well; but the colors in the first one is really magical and i prefer to take that home

Thank you Nanda
The color could have worked better with a better exposure. Where I can help there is get out at better times of the day. Working on that Maybe longer light means I can get up before kiddo.

[RandyRFJP]

Sharon, I like both versions, but I prefer the color photo, particularly how the distant mountains and trees (bottom, photo right) have a "painted" quality. I also like the color tone gradations on the barn's roof and exterior wall planks.

[Shadowman]

Interesting capture, the color version has a painterly effect which works well for me.

[IzzieK]

Sharon...you can digitally "prune" the grass digitally. You either use the Clone tool or my favourite -- the patch and move tools called Content Aware fill. Google for the best tutorial to your understanding.