I was struggling with the colors on this edit and decided to play around with black and white. I'm liking the direction that it's going, looking for any CC.
I was struggling with the colors on this edit and decided to play around with black and white. I'm liking the direction that it's going, looking for any CC.
Not sure I could offer any specific criticism, I like it. I do know what you mean about liking the B&W better than the color.
The general concept and composition are good here IMHO, Brett. I think it could make a good image.
However, in terms of "the direction that it's going"; you've taken something too far already, to my way of thinking. A lot of the image (about one sixth of the total area) is maximum black, with no shadow detail to be extracted. The effect is a bit oppressive for me. Here is a screenshot with my software's exposure warning (green) on absolute black areas.
Maximum white areas are red. This is confined to the lights, and even there is only partial, so may not be visible as such by the time my image is uploaded.
Basically, it's underexposed, but I suspect that has occurred in processing, and would then be reversible.
However, if you WANT largish, impenetrable black areas, that's a valid stylistic choice. Most people would avoid them, except in special circumstances, like silhouettes. But... it's your image!
Thank you for taking the time and going through the detail of examining everything. This actually helps a lot. I was frustrated after trying several color options and black and white is not my normal photography style. This gives me some ideas and a path forward when I was frustrated and ready to walk away from the image for a while. I'll keep experimenting with it and see where it goes.
I understand what Chris is saying re: the areas that have maximum black, but I don't think that it specifically detracts from the shot (at least for me). The texture of the bridge is really nice, there is a dark moodiness to the feel that I find inviting. I really like the water in this shot. If you shot this in RAW, then yes, you should be able to bring up those black areas, and you probably should, just to get an idea for what the difference might look like. Trying many different looks is part of the fun, really.
Agree, especially with the last sentence.
I think with more light it takes away some mystery of the first photo but adds something different that I like. Still working and playing around but I like where it's headed.
It feels like a different picture.
In case you don't know, Brett, as the original poster you can edit the post, including adding images on the left side. It can be interesting to see an original and then edits underneath it. Posting them there means viewers can scroll directly between for immediate comparison. Just bear in mind that unless you edit the text as well, some of the comments won't make sense to a new viewer.
I think that your original file may have been underexposed after all. Here is the same exposure warning view on the edited version - the deepest shadows are stiil totally black (13% of the total image area vs. about 17% before). So as Darin says it feels different, because the grey areas (most of the image) are lighter, but the shadows still very heavy, so they contrast even more.
I don't mean this as criticism of what you're doing. Both images are interesting in their own right.