Joshua Tree B&W

[Kerry Perkins]

I've been trying to do more landscapes lately (and therefore get better at it!) and I had some good opportunities at Joshua Tree NP a couple of weekends ago. As I was looking at this one and remembering that I was thinking "Tim Burton" when I shot it, I thought I would have a go at a B&W conversion. I used Topaz B&W Effects.

[Dennis Bishop]

Although I would've cropped a smidgen off the top, I really like this. It's nicely composed with a good tonal range. I have no idea how you managed to get the clouds to line up with the branches, but that's very effective.

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Dennis, thank you and thanks for noticing that geometrical serendipity! The branches matching the angle of those clouds was what drew my eye to this scene. I'm glad that I was able to communicate that in the image!

[Grady Weed]

I'm going to go the other way, hope you do not mind. I did a S/H going to the left down to 20, a levels and darken the black points, a slight contrast adjustment. It isn't too dark and ominus but lightens up the shadows and gives more details while not changing the storm coming look. What do you think? Just my opinion.

[Grady Weed]

I also like the clouds and the lines of the tree closely matching.

[Dennis Bishop]

I'm going to go the other way, hope you do not mind. I did a S/H going to the left down to 20, a levels and darken the black points, a slight contrast adjustment. It isn't too dark and ominus but lightens up the shadows and gives more details while not changing the storm coming look. What do you think? Just my opinion.

I like the foreground shadows opened up. Good idea.

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Grady, thank you for working the image - always appreciated! I tried at least a hundred different looks for this image before I landed on the one I posted. I had one very similar to your repost and decided on the darker, more Burtonesque look. I do appreciate your changes though, and think it works that way as well. The added detail in the shadows looks good to me. Thanks!

[John Storjohann]

I'm a little late to the party...and I think some good suggestions have been made. I like the B&W treatment of the subject...dramatic lighting and cloud structure...I agree with Dennis about taking a smidge off the top...and I could go either way with the darker, more foreboding treatment or the image where the shadows have been opened up...either way, I hope to see more landscapes from you in the near future!

[denise ippolito]

Kerry, A very cool composition! The clouds lining up with the tree flow are wonderful. I like Grady's repost and think that an image like this has many possibilities as far as processing. Great job!

[Judy Howle]

I agree with other comments on the line of the clouds and tree creating a wonderful composition, and perhaps a small amount off of the top. My original reaction was that I like the darker look best but both interpretations work well.

[Indranil Sircar]

Excellent composition, Kerry. I really like how the tree and bg clouds line up to the direction of the light... may be serendipity but very effective I like you bw treatment... my fav is the original with the contrast. Looks like you had a great trip out to Joshua Tree and Salton Sea!

[Mark Fuge]

Very nice image and application, Kerry.

Like Denise says, there are many interpetations that could be created from this image. I took a look at a very suttle adjustment of the shadow (darken +5) and highest rock left of center (-4) in Selective Color. It keeps your "intent" but broadens the scale of the zones slightly to both ends. I tend to look for the zone scale in B&W and I think this is a little closer, but ...
But that is just one of many interpetations available and this is a nice image as is. As they say Y.I.Y.V.! But we get a chance to critique it as well!

[Paul Lagasi]

Everyone has a different eye, we all see things just a bit different. The base image is lovely, the lines, shadows and details...Keep taking landscapes, good work

[Anita Bower]

As others have said, the alignment of the branches and clouds gives this a dynamic feel. I like the OP, but the other variations are also nice. What I noticed at first, and still notice, is the brightness of the rocks from the center to the left. I find this a little bit distracting. You chose a great angle for this shot.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Kerry, nice alignment of the clouds and branches as mentioned. Many ways to tweak the image, most are based on personal preference...for me I might try a little 'tonal contrast' on the clouds to increase their impact. I like the B&W conversion too.