Jane Pittenger  


Black and White Trees In the Rolling Hills  by Jane Pittenger

November 2020 - Black and White Trees In the Rolling Hills

About the Image(s)

This was taken in the Palouse with Sony A & R 3, S 1/100, F 9, ISO 100 on a tripod.
I got the sense that the trees were watching the clouds roll in. I like how they were still in the light and seemed like a little community huddling together.


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




Damon Williams   Damon Williams
Hey Jane,
This has so much going for it, IMHO. I think the texture, tonality, and focus of everything on the ground is perfect. Composition is perfect, IMHO. I like these dark skies when doing BnW. The detail in the sky just goes great with the dark background. This is cherry.

You know though, as much as I like the sky, I think I'd crop the top two cloud formations out, if it were me. I think their linear nature, sharpness, and brightness compete for attention, with the ground and the grove of trees. Maybe this is a good candidate for sky replacement (I'm pretty sure Ps does it now). This is a great shot no matter how you cut it though.

How did you do your BnW? Did you use a preset? In camera?   Posted: 11/06/2020 00:34:01
 
Thanks Damon. I will take your suggestion under consideration but to me the photo is about the conversation between the light in the sky and the trees and the brightness creates the light that then lights up the trees...almost as if it is calling the trees into the heavenly light. Re processing. I edited in LR then took to PS and Silver feed and then back to PS for some dodging and burning   Posted: 11/06/2020 11:33:46



Damon Williams   Damon Williams
Sure. It's your party. That higher order interplay of the image's elements is kind of lost on me, but then again nobody ever said I was the sharpest knife in the drawer. ;)

Sounds like a pretty involved process to get your BnW done, but I like what you have going. I like the Punch preset in LrC, but I don't think that would've worked here. Truth be told, my favorite, which would've worked here I believe, is the Noir preset in Mac Photos. Man, I'll bet in one click it would've given the same result. Having said that, you might remember my general dissatisfaction with the output from Mac Photos. Anyway, looks like you have the technique down so keep doing what you're doing.   Posted: 11/06/2020 12:02:09
 
Don't have a Mac!   Posted: 11/06/2020 12:05:06



 
JANE,

WIHS I COULD GET OUT TO THAT AREA, I'VE SEEN SOME REALLY NICE SHOTS FROM THAT AREA, BUT I DON'T THMK I'VE SEEN IT DONE IN B/WSO LET ME COMPLIEMENT YOU ON GOING THAT WAY.
THE CLOUDS IN THIS ARE WHAT REALLY SETS THIS OFF, THE LIGHTING ON THE TREES ALSO BRINGS YOUR EYE TO THE CENTER OF YOUR IMAGE AND THEN I KEEP TAKING IN OTHER PARTS.

I WILL AGREE WITH DAMON THAT SOME AREAS ARE BRIGHT AND CATHES MY EYE. THE CLOUDS TO THE UPPER RIGHT AND THE GROUND IS A LITTLE BRIGHT LIKE IT WAS FROSTY.
I PLAYED WITH JUST THOSE TWO ASPECTS, NOT TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR FEEL FOR THE SCENE, JUST MY HUMBLE OPINION.

STILL WAY TO GO FOR IT   Posted: 11/06/2020 22:27:01
Comment Image
 
Thanks. I think your toning it down is just enough   Posted: 11/07/2020 10:19:12



Bernie Groome   Bernie Groome
A great BnW image. Colors IMHO would have been distracting. When I first saw it I saw the clouds and not the trees. To me the tree line is more visible in Richards redo.   Posted: 11/15/2020 16:20:38
 
Thanks Bernie. I've enjoyed all the different ideas   Posted: 11/15/2020 18:12:39



 
Jane this is a beautiful spot and I love the trees set to the right of center. The beautifully rolling hills are nicely highlighted. I do have to say though that initially my eye sees the top of the skt that is so bright and dominant. Your title is all about the trees but they become secondary to the bright sky for me. I would probably crop that top section out. Otherwise sooo beautiful.   Posted: 11/20/2020 16:25:10



Emmy Denton   Emmy Denton
Hi Jane - I like the trees, sky and the beautiful light on the rolling hills. If I were to do anything I would lower the contrast just a little in the bright clouds on the upper right and darken only in a bit from the right.You know if you just crop down to the middle of the clouds on the top you get beautiful leading lines on the bottom of the clouds leading you right to the trees. You can change the title to reflect what you're going for. Great capture.   Posted: 11/30/2020 13:30:39