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**ozwald** · 04-26-2017, 04:46 PM - **1 Like**

This is a redundant river ferry dock which was replaced by a bridge many years ago. I was attracted by the repetitive pattern of the posts and fixing bolts and the silvering, rust, grain and milling marks on the wood. It struck me as a good B&W subject. The colour version and standard B&W conversion lacked impact and were very flat. Consequently I pushed up the contrast and structure of the overall image to a moderate extent and did local enhancements of the structure and black shades on the posts.
I'd appreciate comments on the final result. Have I tried to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear?

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Adam · 04-26-2017, 08:09 PM

I think you did a great job with the B&W conversion. However, the subject simply doesn't stand out; the image is too busy IMO.

**ozwald** · 04-26-2017, 09:03 PM

Originally posted by Adam

I think you did a great job with the B&W conversion. However, the subject simply doesn't stand out; the image is too busy IMO.

Thanks Adam. I had this nagging feeling that the image was not up to scratch. You've put your finger on the problem!

Photogoof · 08-05-2018, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by ozwald

This is a redundant river ferry dock which was replaced by a bridge many years ago. I was attracted by the repetitive pattern of the posts and fixing bolts and the silvering, rust, grain and milling marks on the wood. It struck me as a good B&W subject. The colour version and standard B&W conversion lacked impact and were very flat. Consequently I pushed up the contrast and structure of the overall image to a moderate extent and did local enhancements of the structure and black shades on the posts.
I'd appreciate comments on the final result. Have I tried to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear?

It works perfectly.

**bwgv001** · 08-09-2018, 09:48 PM

as Adam said ; may be too busy: might work better if you crop the front fence?

**Madaboutpix** · 10-19-2019, 06:29 AM

Maybe not what they call a killer image, but definitely a keeper in my book. Even without your explanation, I would have dug what compelled you to take the image, why you saw potential in a b/w conversion, and how you realized your vision. Composition-wise, the image may be complex, given that it accentuates details and textures, but it's not complicated. In fact, I think you turned something that might have been fairly mundane into something interesting.

Biosaurus · 10-23-2019, 01:11 AM

Originally posted by ozwald

This is a redundant river ferry dock which was replaced by a bridge many years ago. I was attracted by the repetitive pattern of the posts and fixing bolts and the silvering, rust, grain and milling marks on the wood. It struck me as a good B&W subject. The colour version and standard B&W conversion lacked impact and were very flat. Consequently I pushed up the contrast and structure of the overall image to a moderate extent and did local enhancements of the structure and black shades on the posts.
I'd appreciate comments on the final result. Have I tried to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear?

hard contrast, but nice

04-26-2017, 08:09 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	I think you did a great job with the B&W conversion. However, the subject simply doesn't stand out; the image is too busy IMO. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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04-26-2017, 09:03 PM	#3
ozwald Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Adelaide Photos: Gallery Posts: 728 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam I think you did a great job with the B&W conversion. However, the subject simply doesn't stand out; the image is too busy IMO. Thanks Adam. I had this nagging feeling that the image was not up to scratch. You've put your finger on the problem!

08-05-2018, 06:54 AM	#4
Photogoof Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,422	Originally posted by ozwald This is a redundant river ferry dock which was replaced by a bridge many years ago. I was attracted by the repetitive pattern of the posts and fixing bolts and the silvering, rust, grain and milling marks on the wood. It struck me as a good B&W subject. The colour version and standard B&W conversion lacked impact and were very flat. Consequently I pushed up the contrast and structure of the overall image to a moderate extent and did local enhancements of the structure and black shades on the posts. I'd appreciate comments on the final result. Have I tried to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear? It works perfectly.

08-09-2018, 09:48 PM	#5
bwgv001 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 698	as Adam said ; may be too busy: might work better if you crop the front fence?

10-19-2019, 06:29 AM	#6
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,448	Maybe not what they call a killer image, but definitely a keeper in my book. Even without your explanation, I would have dug what compelled you to take the image, why you saw potential in a b/w conversion, and how you realized your vision. Composition-wise, the image may be complex, given that it accentuates details and textures, but it's not complicated. In fact, I think you turned something that might have been fairly mundane into something interesting.

10-23-2019, 01:11 AM	#7
Biosaurus Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Hérouville Saint Clair, Normandy, France Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 143	Originally posted by ozwald This is a redundant river ferry dock which was replaced by a bridge many years ago. I was attracted by the repetitive pattern of the posts and fixing bolts and the silvering, rust, grain and milling marks on the wood. It struck me as a good B&W subject. The colour version and standard B&W conversion lacked impact and were very flat. Consequently I pushed up the contrast and structure of the overall image to a moderate extent and did local enhancements of the structure and black shades on the posts. I'd appreciate comments on the final result. Have I tried to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear? hard contrast, but nice

Black & White Ferry Dock

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