Shades of Grey

[Shadowman]

Haven't seen the movie but liked the title.

Shades of Grey by JOHN, on Flickr



ISO 400, 1/350sec, f/4.8

[ccphoto]

The black in the fore tree is too black to be a shade of gray. While it is debatable as to whether gray is a shade of black in painting, black is not a shade of gray when speaking of mid-tones, which are your grays in photography. Tone that black down and I'll go from a like to a love this image.

I'll bet this opens up a torrent of debate :-)

[conkerwood]

It is always difficult shooting into the light but you have been successful in maintaining definition in the background trees. You have also pulled out some detail in the darker part of the front tree but unfortunately the blacks in the upper trunk are crushed, it just looks like a mass of black. But you have achieved an etherial quality which is interesting. I am not convinced by the composition as the trees seem too central but that may be just a personal opinion and others may disagree. There is the impression that there is a general lean to the right, the basketball ring has a marked tilt. If it was my pic I would straighten it up but again it may not trouble anyone else. My main concern, however, is the the large branch on the right behind the front tree. It almost seems detached from anything, particularly as you have an intense white narrow halo which seems to cut right across it. In my opinion it really needs to go. Its a one minute job in photoshop and the result is pretty much perfect. Happy to give the 'how to' steps if you want them.

I hope this helps.

conkerwood

[SRSW Photo]

Incredible light there John! Works really well as a black and white too! - great job

[Wavelength]

This is wowsome indeed!!!

[Manfred M]

I'll have to disagree with the folks that complain about the crushed blacks in this shot; there are very few as seen with this screen capture via Adobe Camera Raw. You have a full tonal range from black to white and the total amounts of both of these tones is entirely appropriate for this type of image.



That being said, I would agree with the direction of where they are heading. The black point and white point are good, but opening up the mid-range details would help this image.




That being said, the having the trees centred in the frame is not working all that well. I think you will find that a "rule of thirds" approach would give you a stronger composition.

[Jim A]

The Shadowman doing Shades of Grey - I like the concept, John. I like the overall feel and the challenge it presents. I do however go along with the crop that Manfred is suggesting.

[DanK]

very nice image. I agree with all of Manfred's comments.

[lovelife65]

John, beautiful image.
I am the outlier, I love it as it is.

[Shadowman]

The black in the fore tree is too black to be a shade of gray. While it is debatable as to whether gray is a shade of black in painting, black is not a shade of gray when speaking of mid-tones, which are your grays in photography. Tone that black down and I'll go from a like to a love this image.

I'll bet this opens up a torrent of debate :-)

Thanks for commenting, I always try to leave in a small zone of black or 0 unless the image was captured midday and if so the zone might be more significant.

[Shadowman]

It is always difficult shooting into the light but you have been successful in maintaining definition in the background trees. You have also pulled out some detail in the darker part of the front tree but unfortunately the blacks in the upper trunk are crushed, it just looks like a mass of black. But you have achieved an etherial quality which is interesting. I am not convinced by the composition as the trees seem too central but that may be just a personal opinion and others may disagree. There is the impression that there is a general lean to the right, the basketball ring has a marked tilt. If it was my pic I would straighten it up but again it may not trouble anyone else. My main concern, however, is the the large branch on the right behind the front tree. It almost seems detached from anything, particularly as you have an intense white narrow halo which seems to cut right across it. In my opinion it really needs to go. Its a one minute job in photoshop and the result is pretty much perfect. Happy to give the 'how to' steps if you want them.

I hope this helps.

conkerwood

Hi Mehere,

Thanks for the comments and suggestions and would like to see your "how to steps".

[Shadowman]

Incredible light there John! Works really well as a black and white too! - great job

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the comments.

[Shadowman]

This is wowsome indeed!!!

Hi Nandakumar,

Thanks for the comments.

[Shadowman]

Hi Manfred,

Thanks for the comments, suggestions, and sample edit. I too felt that the composition was a bit centered but was taken by the rays and left as captured.

[Shadowman]

The Shadowman doing Shades of Grey - I like the concept, John. I like the overall feel and the challenge it presents. I do however go along with the crop that Manfred is suggesting.

Hi Jim,

Thanks for comments.

[Shadowman]

very nice image. I agree with all of Manfred's comments.

Hi Dan,

Thanks for comments.

[Shadowman]

John, beautiful image.
I am the outlier, I love it as it is.

Hi Sharon,

Thank you so much.

[billtils]

This is a very good thread as a whole, starting with en eye-catching image and moving through a range of alternative views - all good!

[mugge]

Beautiful shot John. My only wish is to move the front tree a tad to the right. Unfortunately that is not possible.

I agree with Manfred's crop. I do think that is the only way. That is only my opinion though.
Cheers Ole

[JBW]

I like the concept, but as Dave always said to me: But, personally I would tone down and up the structure in the light beams. I'm not sure about rule of thirds working here. But, I might go with an older rule that acknowledges the truth that a long tall subject needs a long tall frame? Nope can't upload.