A bit of a murky, misty day so a chance to try some woodland photography. The majority of my images were bleh and heading straight for the bin but I've tried a couple of edits on two shots I took of a tree in the mist. Composition was tricky as there was no clear shot to separate the tree from all of the background elements. I've gone for a painterly type look but not entirely convinced I've pulled it off. My preference is the B&W image but what do you prefer? Should these be heading for the bin too?
I also love the B&W photo. I think you have definitely succeeded in giving it a painterly look with this one, especially with the tips of the leaves fading into the mist, and also with the texture of the ferns in the foreground, which has a brushstroke-like feeling to it. I can easily imagine the B&W photo working really well as a large print in a cafe in the mountains, in an office, or at home – really well done.
The colored version has a different type of feeling to it, rather than the clean and almost minimalistic feeling that the B&W has, the colored version comes off as more mysterious, and a bit more melancholy. Less vignette might reduce that melancholy feeling of it a bit, but I understand that, that might have been intended.
Great work overall!
Thanks for the praise Maryam. It's my recent discovery of moving the clarity slider a long way left that softens the details in the image (surprising that lol) and I really like the effect.
The colour image I'm unsure about. I needed a heavier than I wanted vignette to try and blend out the trees on the right side of the frame but I suppose it does have some degree of charm to it.
Of course! They are great photographs.
I agree, both are unique and great!
I don't know why but a single tree in the most/fog always makes for a great photo! lol
Prefer the BW. Nice and atmospheric.
Hi Ian. Enjoyed image 1 (BW) among the two. As my opinion, hi-key overexposure has it has minimal clarity.
The vegetation at the bottom provide a sense of base in the frame. could it be shown a little more elaborately? the tree as focal element occupying the centre and major area of frame is beautiful. To me, the tree + vegetation could be a little darker. last, the tree at the right disturbs.
Enjoyed the BW image. cheers.
Hi Vijay. I agree, the tree on the right was a distraction. I'm afraid I'm not sure what you mean by showing the vegetation more elaborately but here's an edit where the distracting tree has been removed and I've included a little more foreground to provide more depth. Is that what you meant? I've chosen not to darken the tree any further as I was aiming to emphasise the misty look.
Awww......I prefer the first one...Blacks are too dark on this one considering the fog......
Hi Ian, at my opinion blacks and shadows of all elements shall be of same consistency. Else the imbalance may take away attention from tree. I meant just a little more hint (than first image) of bottom vegetation. else it will overpower like in your edit.
Similar to the quick twick could do...
Good points Vijay, thank you. Hopefully my latest edit opposite is nearer the mark.
No, no - not the bin, Ian!
I think the monochrome is fine as is, and the colour image is an alternative approach which also works, although in this instance the sombre mood and heavy vignetting doesn't quite gel for me in the way the airy mono does.
I'd keep open to pursuing either style in future, as both expand your stylistic reach, although your portfolio's White Silver is also a high-key mono which appeals to me (in fact it has been one of my favourites of yours since you posted it). Checking back, I note I called it "airy" too.
I was struck by a similar desire as Vijay to see more of the ground cover at the bottom. I think you've taken it a touch too far in the edit. I'd show more of it than in the first post, but not as much as your edit, nor would I darken it as much, as it starts to kill the mood. Perhaps it could retain more detail (i.e. clarity).
BTW remember - if you wish, as the OP you can edit the left side and put your edit on the left so we can toggle between directly. I understand you may not have wished to do that here. Just saying in case you didn't realise.
I always forget I can put my edits on the left! Thanks for your comments Chris, the bin will go hungry this time.
For me, your fresh edit at left of the mono is the best, Ian.
The more I look, the more critical this part of the image is, for some reason. I find myself wanting to do the tonal gradation at the bottom as there is in the original and the first edit, where I think you've just taken the good changes a little far.
Here's my best compromise, after several goes.
I fully agree with that Chris. With hindsight I definitely took it a touch too far. Will edit again and then it's going in the portfolio.
So it should, Ian!