Man in Chair 2

[Jim A]

Sorry to subject you to another man in a chair - however this one is very different :-) Another experiment.

[bnnrcn]

I love the composition and the feeling the image conveys Jim, very tranquil Brightining the image just a bit might work better though as the dark clouds and the dark environment make the image a bit gloomy although the main feeling in the image is tranquility (for me).

I think you moved the bird a bit as I can see the trace of the PP work around the bird and also on the upper left of the bird.So, I would fix the artifacts

[Shadowman]

Nicely done, the additional element of the bird brings to mind a recent peeve; how come seagulls (especially) like to fly directly overhead. Danger awaits.

[mknittle]

I like this one Jim,

[Wavelength]

Jim, this is a terrific composition.....Can have many interpretations......

[Manfred M]

I don't know Jim. The histogram suggests pretty significant underexposure to me. There are very few tones on the right hand side of the histogram. One thing that was hammered into me by my photography professors and mentors was that a B&W image usually needs to show a full tonal range from pure black to pure white. With only 256 shades to in a B&W image, you need them all.

[Mike Buckley]

Wonderful composition. My immediate impression, which came before seeing Manfred's post, is that the image is under exposed. Binnur has an eagle eye, so I'm not surprised that she saw the "shadow" of the seagull; I didn't notice it until she pointed it out.

[Manfred M]

When I adjust the black point and white point, a couple of "sins" show up in the image. If you add or move elements in the shot, they need to blend well and I wonder if you reduced the exposure to try to reduce the impact of these edits.

[Jim A]

No, did not have as clumsy a thought as that Manfred, adjusting exposure to hide the edits. But I did edit it rather quickly for me, I have been known to spend 20 (about 32 layers) hours on an image to get it just as I want it. The original intention was to just have a silhouette, but I even failed at that. Binnur, you are absolutely right, I did move the seagull, and sloppily at that. Just drew quickly round it and did a bad job patching where it had been.

Manfred, I do usually try to have a good range of tones. Now I know where I am headed, have taken your advice. Here is my updated image, though some of the grass on the left has suffered in the process and I will need to fix.

Many thanks to you all for your positive feedback which has convinced me that this is an image worth persevering with. Sometimes I spend ages on an image, just to find that it is just me that likes it. Whilst that is crucial that one likes it oneself, it is also very nice to share for others to enjoy and/or appreciate.




Here is the original - lightened a bit

[Wavelength]

I really liked how you created a story from a thread(original). The original is just an image, not a story.

[Jim A]

Thanks Nandakumar, I can see what you mean.

Just noticed that Manfred has cropped in closer, which gives more impact. Also, that the brights are brighter. Manfred, you are quick, I may have got to the same place, more slowly, or somewhere a bit different. However, I did think it needed a bit more impact. Will probably adopt your ideas.

[Manfred M]

Thanks Nandakumar, I can see what you mean.

Just noticed that Manfred has cropped in closer, which gives more impact. Also, that the brights are brighter. Manfred, you are quick, I may have got to the same place, more slowly, or somewhere a bit different. However, I did think it needed a bit more impact. Will probably adopt your ideas.

The brightness (and contrast) comes from setting the white point more appropriately. The black point is fine where you have set it. The crop is effectively there doing exactly what you noticed; it brings your subject closer and that is almost always a good thing.

[Jim A]

You are a true Master ............ I am merely a grasshopper

[IzzieK]

I kind of like the first one than the coloured version because it has more drama with the dark cloud/atmosphere and by the look of it, he should not be reading in the dark anyway but it conveys a good story there. Kudos.