B&W Yosemite

heliphoto · 05-23-2008, 11:40 PM

I went to Yosemite last Sunday. It was spectacular as always, but there was nothing to make the day stand out photographically (weather was clear blue and I stayed firmly on the beaten path, etc.) I decided to play with Black and White conversions in Lightroom, and got results I like, but I'm not sure if they're too extreme/overprocessed. What do you think...

Both taken with the Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm on a K200D @ ISO 100

1/25 @ f/18

1/2000 @ f/2.8

Please be as vicious as you like about composition, processing, subject matter and it won't hurt my feelings (too much

) I like the depth I see in the shot of Bridal Veil Falls (#2).

Last edited by heliphoto; 05-24-2008 at 09:13 AM.

cupic · 05-24-2008, 03:33 AM

As I've said before B&W is timeless and here forever the images that it capture has a life of its own.Well done

cheers

Damn Brit · 05-24-2008, 06:04 PM

Nice shots, have you compared them to anything Ansel Adams took?
Gary

axl · 05-29-2008, 01:53 PM

great shots, and theB&W really adds

heliphoto · 05-30-2008, 01:25 AM

Originally posted by cupic

As I've said before B&W is timeless and here forever the images that it capture has a life of its own.Well done

cheers

thanks!...

Originally posted by Damn Brit

Nice shots, have you compared them to anything Ansel Adams took?
Gary

Sorry Gary, in general I try not to compare my snapshots to the work of renown photographers

.

Originally posted by axl

great shots, and theB&W really adds

thanks!

So the B&W conversion was pleasing to you three? Good, I like it too, but I tend to question my own taste when it comes to post. Any advice for when I go back and do it again? (My own advice to myself, "leave the beaten path" - that place is swarming with canonikonites!)

sawtooth235 · 05-30-2008, 08:02 AM

Josh,

Great stuff!

On your next trip, try to get up higher than ground level because your subject is so massive.

I envy you that you get to go Yosemite, I have to be stuck here in flat Florida.

Ray Smith

roentarre · 05-30-2008, 06:18 PM

Very fine art!

Matthew Roberts · 05-31-2008, 11:11 AM

This is most excellent. If any picture is deserving of a large print, it would definitely be your photo of Half Dome.

I'm just excited. I get to go in 2 weeks!!!

heliphoto · 05-31-2008, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by sawtooth235

Josh,

Great stuff!

On your next trip, try to get up higher than ground level because your subject is so massive.

I envy you that you get to go Yosemite, I have to be stuck here in flat Florida.

Ray Smith

Yeah, I'd like to get some more unusual angles, but with a four month old it's sometimes hard to get out of the flats.

Originally posted by roentarre

Very fine art!

Thank you.

Originally posted by Matthew Roberts

This is most excellent. If any picture is deserving of a large print, it would definitely be your photo of Half Dome.

I'm just excited. I get to go in 2 weeks!!!

Thanks... Since you're goin' there, here's a link to a map zoomed in on the bridge from which that shot was taken. To be even more specific, I was just to the right (south) of the big cluster of Canikon gear jostling for a just the right shot (you'll see). Those folks might no give you the time of day, but I can say I shot that at 6:55 pm local time. So around 7pm or a bit later should get you about the same light conditions. Have fun up there, you'll enjoy it.

PaulF · 05-31-2008, 02:45 PM

Great shots.
I really like your B&W conversion.
The reflection in the first picture really make me think of the moon. And the B&W makes the mountain stand out.

artifax1 · 06-19-2008, 07:51 PM

Having not seen the original color it is hard to comment. I would like to see much more gray tones especially in the first image. If you are not familiar with Ansel Adams "zone system" it is a very worth while study. You made me recall how much I loved shooting and processing B&W film back in the 70s. Lightroom looks like a worth while investment.

LeroyPK · 06-21-2008, 02:44 AM

I've been reading about infrared photography recently and am thinking of doing some "playing" with it. Those shots, while really very nice in monochrome, have got me thinking "what would this look like in IR?" But that just my mushroom-addled mind. Still, if you get to go to Yosemite frequently, maybe it would be worth a shot? (Or many shots?)

heliphoto · 06-21-2008, 09:42 PM

Originally posted by artifax1

Having not seen the original color it is hard to comment. I would like to see much more gray tones especially in the first image. If you are not familiar with Ansel Adams "zone system" it is a very worth while study. You made me recall how much I loved shooting and processing B&W film back in the 70s. Lightroom looks like a worth while investment.

Thanks for the comment. I'd definitely benefit from some (any) study of photography, and I've been meaning to read about the zone system for some time. I find that I often prefer B&W to color, and Lr is indeed a powerful program, I seldom leave it for photoshop.

The halfdome shot was taken in Av mode, with no +/- so Halfdome is overexposed and the trees are underexposed. Since I posted that first version, I've reprocessed the shot a little and printed it, and it's a little more natural looking now. In B&W conversion in lightroom I adjusted the exposure down 1.8 in the current version, but I think the one I originally posted here is a touch darker still.

Here's the current version of the shot, and a link to the original...

Of course it would also help if I'd invest in some sort of monitor calibration

. Maybe this stuff looks bizarre to you all out there in calibrated land.

heliphoto · 06-21-2008, 09:45 PM

Originally posted by LeroyPK

I've been reading about infrared photography recently and am thinking of doing some "playing" with it. Those shots, while really very nice in monochrome, have got me thinking "what would this look like in IR?" But that just my mushroom-addled mind. Still, if you get to go to Yosemite frequently, maybe it would be worth a shot? (Or many shots?)

I know very little about IR, but I'm game. Send me either a film body (k-1000's fine) or a IR converted digital body, and I'll head up there next chance I get.

Seriously, I've always loved the look of IR photography, but haven't played with it yet... someday.

Peter Zack · 06-21-2008, 09:55 PM

Just my opinions remember.
I think the second shot is far better and probably because it was originally shot better. I like it a lot.

The first looks odd to my eye. Half dome appears almost like an inverse image against the dark trees. The conversions are fine just not the image (only my opinion). The second version you posted is even less appealing. Just too stark against the trees. I'd rather see a more subtle half dome and more shades of gray. If you can go there again sometime, shoot earlier in the day when the light is softer. Then see what you get.

05-23-2008, 11:40 PM	#1
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	B&W Yosemite I went to Yosemite last Sunday. It was spectacular as always, but there was nothing to make the day stand out photographically (weather was clear blue and I stayed firmly on the beaten path, etc.) I decided to play with Black and White conversions in Lightroom, and got results I like, but I'm not sure if they're too extreme/overprocessed. What do you think... Both taken with the Sigma Mini-Wide II 28mm on a K200D @ ISO 100 1/25 @ f/18 1/2000 @ f/2.8 Please be as vicious as you like about composition, processing, subject matter and it won't hurt my feelings (too much ) I like the depth I see in the shot of Bridal Veil Falls (#2). Last edited by heliphoto; 05-24-2008 at 09:13 AM.

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05-24-2008, 03:33 AM	#2
cupic Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia-NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,824	As I've said before B&W is timeless and here forever the images that it capture has a life of its own.Well done cheers

05-24-2008, 06:04 PM	#3
Damn Brit Guest	Nice shots, have you compared them to anything Ansel Adams took? Gary

05-29-2008, 01:53 PM	#4
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	great shots, and theB&W really adds

05-30-2008, 01:25 AM	#5
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539 Original Poster	Originally posted by cupic As I've said before B&W is timeless and here forever the images that it capture has a life of its own.Well done cheers thanks!... Originally posted by Damn Brit Nice shots, have you compared them to anything Ansel Adams took? Gary Sorry Gary, in general I try not to compare my snapshots to the work of renown photographers . Originally posted by axl great shots, and theB&W really adds thanks! So the B&W conversion was pleasing to you three? Good, I like it too, but I tend to question my own taste when it comes to post. Any advice for when I go back and do it again? (My own advice to myself, "leave the beaten path" - that place is swarming with canonikonites!)

05-30-2008, 08:02 AM	#6
sawtooth235 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orange Park, Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 886	Josh, Great stuff! On your next trip, try to get up higher than ground level because your subject is so massive. I envy you that you get to go Yosemite, I have to be stuck here in flat Florida. Ray Smith

05-30-2008, 06:18 PM	#7
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Very fine art!

05-31-2008, 11:11 AM	#8
Matthew Roberts Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bertram Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 584	This is most excellent. If any picture is deserving of a large print, it would definitely be your photo of Half Dome. I'm just excited. I get to go in 2 weeks!!!

05-31-2008, 02:29 PM	#9
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539 Original Poster	Originally posted by sawtooth235 Josh, Great stuff! On your next trip, try to get up higher than ground level because your subject is so massive. I envy you that you get to go Yosemite, I have to be stuck here in flat Florida. Ray Smith Yeah, I'd like to get some more unusual angles, but with a four month old it's sometimes hard to get out of the flats. Originally posted by roentarre Very fine art! Thank you. Originally posted by Matthew Roberts This is most excellent. If any picture is deserving of a large print, it would definitely be your photo of Half Dome. I'm just excited. I get to go in 2 weeks!!! Thanks... Since you're goin' there, here's a link to a map zoomed in on the bridge from which that shot was taken. To be even more specific, I was just to the right (south) of the big cluster of Canikon gear jostling for a just the right shot (you'll see). Those folks might no give you the time of day, but I can say I shot that at 6:55 pm local time. So around 7pm or a bit later should get you about the same light conditions. Have fun up there, you'll enjoy it.

05-31-2008, 02:45 PM	#10
PaulF Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Denmark Photos: Gallery Posts: 53	Great shots. I really like your B&W conversion. The reflection in the first picture really make me think of the moon. And the B&W makes the mountain stand out.

06-19-2008, 07:51 PM	#11
artifax1 Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 62	Having not seen the original color it is hard to comment. I would like to see much more gray tones especially in the first image. If you are not familiar with Ansel Adams "zone system" it is a very worth while study. You made me recall how much I loved shooting and processing B&W film back in the 70s. Lightroom looks like a worth while investment.

06-21-2008, 02:44 AM	#12
LeroyPK Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Racine, WI, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 76	I've been reading about infrared photography recently and am thinking of doing some "playing" with it. Those shots, while really very nice in monochrome, have got me thinking "what would this look like in IR?" But that just my mushroom-addled mind. Still, if you get to go to Yosemite frequently, maybe it would be worth a shot? (Or many shots?)

06-21-2008, 09:42 PM	#13
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539 Original Poster	Originally posted by artifax1 Having not seen the original color it is hard to comment. I would like to see much more gray tones especially in the first image. If you are not familiar with Ansel Adams "zone system" it is a very worth while study. You made me recall how much I loved shooting and processing B&W film back in the 70s. Lightroom looks like a worth while investment. Thanks for the comment. I'd definitely benefit from some (any) study of photography, and I've been meaning to read about the zone system for some time. I find that I often prefer B&W to color, and Lr is indeed a powerful program, I seldom leave it for photoshop. The halfdome shot was taken in Av mode, with no +/- so Halfdome is overexposed and the trees are underexposed. Since I posted that first version, I've reprocessed the shot a little and printed it, and it's a little more natural looking now. In B&W conversion in lightroom I adjusted the exposure down 1.8 in the current version, but I think the one I originally posted here is a touch darker still. Here's the current version of the shot, and a link to the original... Of course it would also help if I'd invest in some sort of monitor calibration . Maybe this stuff looks bizarre to you all out there in calibrated land.

06-21-2008, 09:45 PM	#14
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539 Original Poster	Originally posted by LeroyPK I've been reading about infrared photography recently and am thinking of doing some "playing" with it. Those shots, while really very nice in monochrome, have got me thinking "what would this look like in IR?" But that just my mushroom-addled mind. Still, if you get to go to Yosemite frequently, maybe it would be worth a shot? (Or many shots?) I know very little about IR, but I'm game. Send me either a film body (k-1000's fine) or a IR converted digital body, and I'll head up there next chance I get. Seriously, I've always loved the look of IR photography, but haven't played with it yet... someday.

06-21-2008, 09:55 PM	#15
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Just my opinions remember. I think the second shot is far better and probably because it was originally shot better. I like it a lot. The first looks odd to my eye. Half dome appears almost like an inverse image against the dark trees. The conversions are fine just not the image (only my opinion). The second version you posted is even less appealing. Just too stark against the trees. I'd rather see a more subtle half dome and more shades of gray. If you can go there again sometime, shoot earlier in the day when the light is softer. Then see what you get.