Stuart Bacon, QPSA
September 2019 - Napa Valley Vinyard
Original
About the Image(s)
For this scene I used my converted Nikon D50 with the 18-270 lens set at 30mm. Exposure was bracketed and i selected 1/1250 at f8 for processing. I used a new workflow to see how it reacted to IR. Since I have Topaz Studio I was sent the new Studio 2. Shortly after I installed it I watched a webinar on making black and white images in Studio 2. I worked on a conventional color to black and white and liked the results so tried an IR. In Studio 2 after selecting Black and White filter I selected the following filters, each of which has numerous sliders for pinpoint control: Contrast, Lighting and Detail. I liked the result and sent it back to P/S where the only change was darkening the foreground grasses.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
4 comments posted
I find this image very appealing. I like the way the tree frames the vinyard and the contrast between the straight lines of the vines and the open hillside beyond. In darkening the foreground you have improved the image by emphasising the vines. I also like the shadow of the tree in the foreground. My only suggestion would be to clone out the wires in the sky which I noticed straight away. Posted: 09/11/2019 03:41:27
(Group 52)
I find the way the lines of the vines lead me into the image. I can't quite make up my mind about the fence in the foreground, though. In a way it feels to me like a visual barrier. The sky above the hills is interesting as is the texture on the hillside. I do think the image is a tad over sharpened. If that cannot be adjusted by going back a step in your post processing, I would consider adding a subtle glow in NIK to give it a softer look. Posted: 09/15/2019 13:49:17
Great detail in this shot! Yes, I would clone out the wires (even though they aren't extremely noticeable). I do wish you separation between the fence and some of the trellis posts, to me eye, they look crowded. Posted: 09/17/2019 11:52:40
The tonality and texture are exceptional in this image; it has a good depth, interesting sky. There may be a little over-sharpening in the high light area and the vines. I'm not sure if I like the fence there, the horizontal line kind of stop me there, but the posts are repeated by each row of the vine in the back. Posted: 09/17/2019 14:13:25