On the Bay

I rarely convert images to B&W, but lately, the summer storm clouds over the water seem to lend themselves to it. I'd be interested to know what you think about this composition. In PP, I first converted to grayscale and then worked the grayscale mix (in LR2), mostly removing the blues. I'm not exactly sure how this works, but when I slid the blue channel to the negative end, it seemed to darken the blue areas, giving more contrast to the clouds and water. Can someone explain why that is?
Connie
Sony a700, 70-400mm Sony lens
ISO400, f14, 1/320, some cropping also.

Connie, When you convert your image using the grayscale it tends to give a flat mid-tone image that has to be adjusted,usually with the contrast.
Or you can go to Grayscale Mix-
Grayscale Mix is found below the “Basic” and “Tone Curve” views. Click the “Grayscale” button next to the “HSL” and “Color” buttons. This converts the image into grayscale tones, but allows you to adjust each color tone individually. Play around with these adjustments until the tones are most balanced and artistic
Or you can use the Slit tone method-
Beneath the “Grayscale Mix” views is the “Split Toning” option. This type of conversion is one of the most involved. Adjust the slider to set your highlight color and saturation level, and then do the same with your shadows. From here, adjust the balance of which is more prevalent, highlights or shadows. You will find that at this point, your image is not in black and white, it is in whichever colors you have chosen as your shadows and highlights. From here, you will need to go back to the “Basic” option. Here you will adjust the vibrancy and saturation of the overall image. As you adjust these sliders, your image will become black and white with prevalent tones from your split toning.

Hope that helps.
Onto your image, I like the overall look but find it just a bit busy. I might also clone out the stick in the water on the right. For me the horizon line is cutting thru the entire image. I do like the clouds and the conversion looks good.

Hi Connie. I think this is a lovely image.The clouds are great and the horizon line doesn't bother me a bit.
I like the leading line created by the brush taking you to the boat. I would suggest you taking out the small twig on the left and the dust bunny in back of the boat. Good eye on this...

Connie, I spent a good deal of time on your web-site and reading your blog and I gotta tell you I am impressed! Your love for the outdoors and fitness really shines through. I love that you overcame your fear of water and that you now shoot from a kayak or canoe. I had no idea this image or any of your other images were shot from a canoe. I think this image takes on a new meaning to me. I have just fell in love with your style of photography and hope to get a few chances in the Everglades this year.
I was in Maine and I was shooting the Loons from a canoe and it was like no other experience in the world.The Loon's calls were echoing off the mountain sides and the lake had a peaceful calmness. It was truly a fantastic experience and to think that you do this all the time is just so amazing!! I look forward to more enjoyable reading from your blog.

Connie, great website! I tip my hat to you shooting from a canoe... I think me and the camera would be in the drink if I tried that, but I really want to...I like this image a lot and like the conversion...I would just recommend cropping a bit off the right side that would remove that stick and in my opinion balance the image a bit. I really like this image!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by denise ippolito

Connie, I spent a good deal of time on your web-site and reading your blog and I gotta tell you I am impressed! Your love for the outdoors and fitness really shines through. I love that you overcame your fear of water and that you now shoot from a kayak or canoe. I had no idea this image or any of your other images were shot from a canoe. I think this image takes on a new meaning to me. I have just fell in love with your style of photography and hope to get a few chances in the Everglades this year.
I was in Maine and I was shooting the Loons from a canoe and it was like no other experience in the world.The Loon's calls were echoing off the mountain sides and the lake had a peaceful calmness. It was truly a fantastic experience and to think that you do this all the time is just so amazing!! I look forward to more enjoyable reading from your blog.

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Denise, I am speechless! Thank you for taking the time to offer your help with the B&W conversion. I have taken notes and with time, will experiment and learn more on this process. And a big thank you for taking the time to read my website, that is the best compliment one could ever receive. I am also flattered to have accomplished photographers such as yourself and others who offer feedback and simply taking the time to look at my photos. That is priceless.:)

I'm glad you experienced the canoe for your loon photos and it would be interesting to hear your story on that and what you thought about the experience and its effects on your abilities as a photographer. It isn't for everyone and it does have some limitations, but it also offers more opportunities.

And last, if you do come to the Everglades, please let me know and I will help you any way I can in planning and so forth.
Connie

Dave and Nick, thank you for your suggestions. Dave, I am particularly impressed with your excellent attention to detail, I never would have seen that dust spot! Nick, thank you for visiting my blog, and if you do decide to venture into a boat, let me know!
Connie

Connie, Thankyou for the kind words and I will be checking out your blog on a regular basis-and I would encourage others to do the same-great stuff!!

My day on the lake w/ the Loons will be in my memories forever. A very special day indeed!!
I will definitely contact you when I go to the Everglades!! Thankyou.

Here is a link to the homepage of another BPN member that I have been in contact with. She is very nice and the two of you seem to have alot in common. She has some outstanding images of Loons and she photographs from a canoe. She has also helped in bird preservation and I find her site very interesting.
Her name is Eleanor Kee Wellman
http://eleanorkeewellman.com/

A very nice try at black and white, Connie! I would also take off the right side - just to the left of the stick. That would put the trees more in a ROT's position.

I also think the image is a little busy - I would have wanted either the third smaller tree OR the boat - with both it feels a little bit crowded. I do love how the boat is behind the main trees, though...it takes your eye into the deepest areas of the photograph.

Julie, thank you for taking the time to comment. Denise, Eleanor Wellman's website. Thank you for that! When I have more time I plan to visit it regularly, she's doing some interesting work up there.

love the comp.