Jim Bodkin, APSA, PPSA  

A STUDY IN LINES AND SHAPES by Jim Bodkin, APSA, PPSA

October 2019 - A STUDY IN LINES AND SHAPES

October 2019 - Jim Bodkin, APSA, PPSA

Original

About the Image(s)

While traveling to the New England area of US, we revisited the Watkins Glen State Park in New York’s Finger Lakes region. The area has a rich history of both Native American and colonial occupation, but fortunately they haven’t destroyed the natural beauty of the site.

Being a sucker for any water falls, this is a particular favorite, due to the water flowing through eroded shale valleys which creates unusual patterns and many water falls. I tried to capture the unique lines and shapes and use B&W techniques to enhance them. Almost no post processing in Lightroom and then imported into Silver Effects Pro for the conversion to B&W. I chose a standard preset with a mid range of tones and minimal sharpening, as I wanted to have the actual image be the star. For the simulated film types, I selected Tri-X to get the cleaner blacks. Your thoughts?

Captured with a Canon 7D MkII and Tamron 16-300mm lens at 46mm. Settings, 1/15 sec, ’/10, ISO 800.

This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted

Allen Tucker   Allen Tucker
I like the Tri-X blacks and the emphasis they give to the layer cake geology. But the high contrast makes the white flecks in the river channel at the bottom of the frame stand out too much, I recommend erasing them like sensor dust. At the top right corner are two legs, a whole person would contribute scale but only legs is a little creepy.   Posted: 10/16/2019 00:43:06
Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
It is close to Halloween, after all. d;¬{Ð   Posted: 10/17/2019 00:30:36
Jim Bodkin   Jim Bodkin
That's what I get when rushing - - partial results!   Posted: 10/20/2019 22:27:37
Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
I really like the strata on the right side. Like Allen, I thought the water was odd-looking, and definitely, those legs gotta go. What I really wanted to see was some of the shadow areas on the left to be brought out some. Here's my attempt at balancing things - burning a bit on the right side & water and dodging the left a bit to try and bring up the shadows:   Posted: 10/19/2019 00:11:26
Comment Image
Jim Bodkin   Jim Bodkin
Thanks, Tom. It is a tricky image for me as I really struggle with with the effective lighting to show the best structure and definition. This shot is also somewhat confusing to the viewer as they are not sure what they are looking at.

  Posted: 10/20/2019 22:47:38
Jim Hagan   Jim Hagan
I have visited Watkins Glen several times and have always found it difficult to photograph perhaps it is because the canyon walls are so steep that the lighting never gives much of a sense of perspective. I prefer the color image and in my revision I have lightened the dark shadows of the left side of the image.   Posted: 10/20/2019 20:41:39
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Jim Bodkin   Jim Bodkin
Thanks, Jim. Yes the color version is greatly improved by the lightening of the left side as you have demonstrated. In your opinion, is that technique equally effective for the B&W version?

Using Jim's color image as a guide, I made a B&W copy and darkened the flowing water to provide separation between the two banks. Your thoughts?

  Posted: 10/20/2019 22:51:34
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Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
I like the left side here, but I think you went too dark with the water.   Posted: 10/21/2019 00:09:42
Jim Bodkin   Jim Bodkin
I was trying to add something to differentiate the two sides and make sure the 'water' was noticeable. Other suggestions?

  Posted: 10/21/2019 02:00:13
Tom Pickering   Tom Pickering
(Groups 0 & 53)
I'd say you want to find a point between this level of darkness and the original lightness. Water has a different texture and luminance than rock and needs to be differentiated from the rock without compromising its natural qualities. In your latest rendition, it's hard to tell it's water in the rather straight upper section.   Posted: 10/21/2019 12:45:08