Results 1 to 22 of 22

Thread: Thats far enough

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default Thats far enough

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    I would like honest feedback on this conversion from the B&W boffins. Taken late afternoon on a game drive in Botswana a little while back.

    Canon 20D
    24-105 @ 60mm
    1/200
    F/8.0
    ISO 400

    Exp Comp +0.33
    Hand held from an open vehicle.

  2. #2
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    5,444
    Threads
    444
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Stuart,
    I'll let the experts comment on the conversion but I really like the look and stance from the elephant. Also like the shadow.

  3. #3
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Stuart,

    I am certainly no expert on B& W, this looks like it was taken on B& W film, how did you convertit?

  4. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    3,911
    Threads
    459
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Cool image Stuart. B&W conversion works very well.

  5. #5
    BPN Viewer Tom Graham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Southern California, Orange County
    Posts
    1,116
    Threads
    33
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Not a criticism. I know it wasn't - but for some reason looks to me like it was taken at night!!
    Anyone else?? Why do I get such "clues"?
    Tom

  6. #6
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Graham View Post
    I know it wasn't - but for some reason looks to me like it was taken at night!!
    Anyone else??
    Tom
    Tom,


    Yes, my initial reactions were the same but I did not think I should say it.

  7. #7
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks guys. This was taken around 5.30pm in the late afternoon. The light was good, and just wanted to try my hand at a B&W conversion.

  8. #8
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stuart Bowie View Post
    Thanks guys. This was taken around 5.30pm in the late afternoon. The light was good, and just wanted to try my hand at a B&W conversion.
    Stuart,

    I think it works very well indeed which is sometimes not the case, can you let us know the conversion process?

    Cheers

    Ken

  9. #9
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Stuart, I like the pose & look to camera, but I feel the conversion doesn't really work for me.

    To me it looks as if there is a lot of mid tones and not enough contrast overall. I would also prefer more space to the left, less to the right with a hint more below & perhaps a fraction more USM. As a simple conversion to B/W within PS is so easy I would say the process/conversion has no real affect on the image/look, I personally feel it's the content that isn't right for the conversion. I would suggest posting the colour version too, just as a comparison which might also help to decided as to whether the image was right for B/W.

    As you say it will be interesting to get further feedback from people like Morkel & Peter D.

    cheers
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  10. #10
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    New Delhii, India
    Posts
    3,690
    Threads
    269
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Stuart,
    The pose is nice. I feel a higher shutter speed would have been better due to the subject motion. I agree with Steve, that a bit more contrast would have been better, as well as retaining the entire shadow. Thanks for sharing.

    Cheers,
    Sabyasachi

  11. #11
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Ken, Steve, Sabya, thanks for your feedback. I will post the colour version later this evening.

  12. #12
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Here is the colour version with a slight crop as per Steve. I could have added canvas to the left, but cropped the original image. I feel this may be a touch too square.

  13. #13
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Stuart, I think this address some of the thoughts about the time of day etc raised earlier, but personally I feel the colour version works best. It's not a reflection on your conversion, I just think some images work much better because of the make-up of the image, structure, content, contrast etc. I also think the crop has now tightened up the image and strengths the subject.

    Cheers
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  14. #14
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Steve, thanks a stack for your guidance, help, and feedback. Always appreciated.

  15. #15
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Stuart,

    You should not be surprised if I say that for me the coliour version works best, but I sill think the B & W is ok.

    He looks like a rather cheeky chappy, they have such a wonderful range of expressions and poses

  16. #16
    BPN Viewer Pieter de Waal's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Swaziland, Southern Africa
    Posts
    1,677
    Threads
    91
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Stuart, love the pose with the fanned ears and leg position, attitude nicely captured.! I also prefer the colour version, and feel the light and detail work well together in colour. The crop also works well IMHO.

  17. #17
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Late to the party here, Stu...

    Love the pose you captured here. I concur with Steve K's thoughts on the initial conversion - just doesn't have the oomph I prefer from B&W imagery. That doesn't mean the image can't work like that...I find elephants are great subjects to play around with for conversions due to their unique shape and the lovely textures and lines on their skin.

    From the versions posted I prefer the colour version, but I did have a whack at converting your colour JPG into something more along the lines of how I would approach the conversion...curious to know what you think!
    Converted in Nik Silver Efex 2, bumping contrast but dropping structure, and working with a green filter (I think). Then some selective dodging and burning on the elephant, especially to bring out the eyes some more.

    I'll also be interested in Peter's thoughts if he gets round to this thread...

    PS: Did I mention I love the blurred hind foot?
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  18. #18
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Stuart - I prefer the color version. There's really good detail and texture with nice even light. Personally, I find that b&w conversions often work better where the light is more uneven, probably has to do with contrast. Will be interesting to see what Peter has to say.

    TFS,
    Rachel

  19. #19
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Morkie, thanks a stack for your input - I now know in which direction to go in the future. I will try my hand at another image in the near future and hopefully the feedback will be more positive.

    Pieter, Rachel, thanks for your much appreciated feedback too.

  20. #20
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    George, South Africa
    Posts
    1,462
    Threads
    255
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Stuart

    A little late to party... network problems... all sorted now...

    Have to agree that the colour version works best for me.. elephant s make great b&w subjects .. but you also need the right tonal range.

    With this image if the sky had been included that may have given the image a different feel and a greater tonal range which would have helped with contrast and given another element of texture and form..

    good to see you trying your hand at black and white...looking forward to more..

  21. #21
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks a stack Peter. I fully agree with your feedback. I was reading today how it works best with either a light subject against a dark BG, or the other way round. My image has too many different elements in the BG to work well. I know now.

  22. #22
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Auranagabad ( MS ) India
    Posts
    12,833
    Threads
    766
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Beautiful image bhai, agreed with Peter
    TFS

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics