Theme - Roo in Black

[Don Railton]

Hi Guys

Another male Kangaroo living in bush some 10 minutes walk from my front door... My last two posts of these roo's were of questionable merit, posted to show examples of behaviour and for a giggle more than wanting a serious critique... This image I am interested to know what you think, as the relationship between B&W and me is a work in progress with a long way to go... I know the nose is soft (IQ as well..) but I wonder on the inclusion of the hints of background I have left in... Let me know what you think, be tought if you like, I will still look forward to your comments.

1D4 + 500F4
1/500 sec @ F4 at ISO 1600
Hand held, image is full frame.

Processed in ACR adjusting levels and WB. Used NIK Silver effects this time (Hi Key) as a starting point, but increased the contrast to todays taste..Tomorrow may be dfferent..

regards

DON

[Steve Kaluski]

Let me know what you think, be tought if you like, I will still look forward to your comments.

What a great attitude Don.

Ok, firstly I quite like the departure from going colour to B/W as it makes you think in a different way, plus I do feel the image lends itself to being a bit more 'contrasty' with the stark BKG. I also like the fact the Roo is looking away from camera. If it was me, I would go for an almost white backdrop, personally the 'tones' of grey do not help or add anything and the darker patch RHS is for me, a little distracting. I would add a % Luminosity mask to bring up a little more tone on the chest. By using a Channel layer & Curves, then making two layers for the darks & lights means you can juggle with areas to give this 'contrast' look. Cranking up some more selective USM also adds to what you have.

I would toggle between SilverEfex & PS, don't let SE drive the image.

Great to see you have dipped your toe in the water for our monthly theme, look forward to more in the coming months.

Hope this helps.

TFS
Steve

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Don - I like the b&w treatment here but agree the nose is a little soft. You needed just a bit more dof here. I do like the comp and the space around. If it were mine I would try a version which was more true high key, upping the exp of the bg and cleaning up the stray patches for comparison sake. If I go with to a more artistic expression I don't mind cloning.

TFS,
Rachel

[Don Railton]

Hi Rachel and Steve... Thanks for your valuable (and respected) comments... I plan to redo and repost with full Hi key BG in the next day or so...

regards

DON

[Anette Mossbacher]

Hi Don, this looks great to me in B&W. I might would brighten the BG a tad more, but this is just me :)
You got already great suggestions above, which I only could repeat :)

have a great day

ciao Anette

[Morkel Erasmus]

A nice portrait here Don.
I would perhaps punch up the contrast even more - burn the shadows and dodge the highlights for a more punchy look?

[Don Railton]

Thanks Anette and Morkel..! I will have a look at this tonight. I presented it a camera club last night and got a very similar response.. So its pretty unanimous..

thanks for your help.

DON

[Don Railton]

Hi Guys, My repost.... I think this is much better. I could have gone even futher with the stark BG but I want to take big steps slowly.. I must admit I am really enjoying learning and trying to understand the art of B&W... So a big thanks from me for your guidance.

regards
DON

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Don, I think the blacks & darker mid tones have flattened the tonal range, I feel you need to look at the OP and perhaps bring some of the lighter tones back into the face to create a better tonal value/range from white to black IMHO.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Don - I agree with Steve. The roo in the op has more tonal range and life to it.

Rachel

[Anette Mossbacher]

HI Don, let the Roo be as it is and bring more the whites out in the roo.
Was so freely to grab it. I id not much on the BG, just on the Roo
Hope you do not mind.
WDYT?
Ciao
Anette

[Don Railton]

Hi Anette.

Feel free anytime with my images to do as you wish, especially if it is to help me...! I need it. I struggle with B&W, its one of those things where I see it now, love it now, but when I come back and look again I want to fiddle more.. To answer your question I like your RP better than the OP because you have removed the distracting BG I thought I liked at the OP.. My RP I thought I liked when I posted it but I agree that it has a reduced range of tones, but its bolder and I feel has more presence against the white BG.. What I need to do now is learn how to get this presence while still retaining the detail with the tonal range...

thanks for commenting..

DON