I keep coming back to this tree....

480sparky · Nov 25, 2013

For some reason, this tree just fascinates me. I took several shots of it in '12, but only edited one originally.

Lately, I've been going back through the archives to put a fresh look on old shots, and I keep gravitating to this tree.

I think I finally got justice done with a B&W conversion of this one. Comments welcome!

robbins.photo · Nov 25, 2013

Ok.. sigh.. I know I'll most likely get just a huge level of flak for this, but I don't think this is really a good shot for B&W. The tree sort of fades into the background because while there are some texture differences there just really isn't enough contrast for the tree to stand out properly against the background. As a result my eye is pretty much all over the place. So for me, this one just doesn't work, at least not in B&W.

I'll stand back now and let the rock throwing commence.

dvjproductions · Nov 25, 2013

robbins.photo said:
Ok.. sigh.. I know I'll most likely get just a huge level of flak for this, but I don't think this is really a good shot for B&W. The tree sort of fades into the background because while there are some texture differences there just really isn't enough contrast for the tree to stand out properly against the background. As a result my eye is pretty much all over the place. So for me, this one just doesn't work, at least not in B&W.

I'll stand back now and let the rock throwing commence.

I agree with the blending issue here. I think the subject is interesting though, I would like to see other shots, color included.

KelSS90 · Nov 25, 2013

robbins.photo said:
Ok.. sigh.. I know I'll most likely get just a huge level of flak for this, but I don't think this is really a good shot for B&W. The tree sort of fades into the background because while there are some texture differences there just really isn't enough contrast for the tree to stand out properly against the background. As a result my eye is pretty much all over the place. So for me, this one just doesn't work, at least not in B&W.

I'll stand back now and let the rock throwing commence.

This was my first thought too, but I was too much of a chicken to post it

I think that this tree is probably crazy interesting in person, but it isn't coming across here. If it were in color with a nice blue sky behind it, I think it may help. As is, it is just getting lost in the background.

480sparky · Nov 25, 2013

A nice blue sky just wasn't possible... too much smoke from all the fires at the time.

tirediron · Nov 25, 2013

No indoor plumbing in your neck of the woods?

I like the shot, but I think the highlights might still be a tad hot; can you pull them down in LR?

limr · Nov 25, 2013

How about a shallower dof to isolate the tree more or a lower angle so you get a long line that leads into the sky?

Having said that, I like the black and white and think you've done a nice job with it. It makes me want to find that tree if I am ever in Iowa so I can have a go at it, too!

480sparky · Nov 25, 2013

limr said:
How about a shallower dof to isolate the tree more or a lower angle so you get a long line that leads into the sky?

Having said that, I like the black and white and think you've done a nice job with it. It makes me want to find that tree if I am ever in Iowa so I can have a go at it, too!

Well, unless Craters of the Moon National Monument packs up and visits Iowa, you'll need to go to Idaho instead. :mrgreen:

limr · Nov 25, 2013

Ach, indeed! I saw Iowa as your location and just assumed. And, well, we all know what happens when one assumes. Well, except that old trope isn't true - I really only made an ass of me, not of you

binga63 · Nov 25, 2013

I like the shot but would love to see it shot lower so the tree dominates the scene and there is less b/g

Patrickktown · Nov 28, 2013

I like the shot, especially the contrast. Would have liked to see the tree not in the center though. Nice.

timor · Nov 28, 2013

480sparky said:
For some reason, this tree just fascinates me. I took several shots of it in '12, but only edited one originally.

Lately, I've been going back through the archives to put a fresh look on old shots, and I keep gravitating to this tree.

I think I finally got justice done with a B&W conversion of this one. Comments welcome!

Eh...Sparky. Get some decent TLR loaded with Tmax 100, put red filter on it, place deepest shadows in zone 2 and send film to me for processing. There will be no problem of tonal separation. How about that ? :sexywink:

leeroix · Nov 28, 2013

Methuselah?

480sparky · Nov 28, 2013

timor said:
Eh...Sparky. Get some decent TLR loaded with Tmax 100, put red filter on it, place deepest shadows in zone 2 and send film to me for processing. There will be no problem of tonal separation. How about that ?

Eh, timor..... I'm not going to buy a bunch of new gear (as well as drive 2,000 miles) just for one shot.

timor · Nov 28, 2013

480sparky said:
timor said:

Eh...Sparky. Get some decent TLR loaded with Tmax 100, put red filter on it, place deepest shadows in zone 2 and send film to me for processing. There will be no problem of tonal separation. How about that ?

Click to expand...

Eh, timor..... I'm not going to buy a bunch of new gear (as well as drive 2,000 miles) just for one shot.

I new that it was a futile attempt on my part. :meh: Just the site is promising.