B&W - Stairway into nowhere.

[TheBigE]

So this is my first purposeful journey into B&W Photography. On a walk through Lombardia Region in Italy during mid day, I came across this scene. The sun beating down in mid-day, my thought took me to B&W capture.

I did some PP in SilverEFEX and minor tweaking afterwards. I wanted to maintain some of the dark areas and shadow detail as I thought it helped the image. Nothing here says it is from Italy - could be anywhere.

Welcome thoughts, feedback and general C&C.

[Wavelength]

Excellent image!!!

[TheBigE]

Thanks Nandakumar - Glad you enjoyed the image.

[Shadowman]

I like the foreground section, I know the stairs are supposed to be going nowhere but I try to lead the viewer further towards the vanishing point.

[TheBigE]

For those that made it this far - here is color copy of the image.

[Shadowman]

For those that made it this far - here is color copy of the image.

I like the color version.

[Wavelength]

It rarely occurred to me that i prefer a black and white to color; probably because of the harsh light perceivable in the color, i go for B&W

[billtils]

I prefer the B&W Erik - and (a comment not a criticism) agree with John on the foreground, prefer it without the bridge at the top.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Erik . I can't see the image when I click on the icon

[TheBigE]

Hi Erik . I can't see the image when I click on the icon

Sorry Binnur - should work now. I was doing some redesign work on my website - think I posted "older" links....

[Geoff F]

For me, there are a few very small but noticeable white spots that could easily be cloned out.

Bottom left corner, on the handrail and the first upright support. Also underneath the crossing bridge, right side.

Otherwise, this looks good.

[John 2]

As is for me Erik except it would be worth cropping that highlight at the very top. Just a thought though given the large amount of greenery. Not sure how you achieved your conversion but it would be interesting to see what a pseudo infra red treatment would look like. Conversion using the yellow or Green filters in Silver effects or using the IR pre set in PS CC would get you there. Just curious.