Randy Bell
March 2025 - Mountain Sky
Original
About the Image(s)
This photo is from a mountain lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains. I thought the sky was interesting this day and many of my photos focused on the sky. I kept a portion of the lake in the photo, but I am not sure whether it adds anything to the image. I have also included a color version of this photo. While the black and white is more dramatic, the color version has subtle colors which, I think, help provide a little more "depth" to the image.
I shot this at 40mm with my Fuji camera at f/11, 1/500 sec at ISO 200. I edited the photo and converted to black and white in Lightroom. The color version was edited in Affinity Photo more recently and I was able to remove a tree that was distracting.
12 comments posted
Randy,
What a beautiful view! I agree, the sky is super interesting! It is also interesting how inviting the color photo is, while the black and white is more dramatic and it looks unwelcoming. Posted: 03/09/2025 14:15:56
What a beautiful view! I agree, the sky is super interesting! It is also interesting how inviting the color photo is, while the black and white is more dramatic and it looks unwelcoming. Posted: 03/09/2025 14:15:56
Thank you, Sylvia. I am curious as to why you feel the b&w version is unwelcoming. It seems others have that thought as well. Posted: 03/20/2025 13:42:47
Hi Randy,
It looks like the clouds were accentuated in the b&w - which is great -as the photo provides a great sense of updraft and movement against the majestic and quite unmoving ground.
Sylvia makes a great point about the trade-off between drama and welcome - a good thing to ponder! Posted: 03/09/2025 14:59:41
It looks like the clouds were accentuated in the b&w - which is great -as the photo provides a great sense of updraft and movement against the majestic and quite unmoving ground.
Sylvia makes a great point about the trade-off between drama and welcome - a good thing to ponder! Posted: 03/09/2025 14:59:41
Thank you, Douglas. Posted: 03/20/2025 13:43:10
Randy, I am immediately drawn to your sky which I think makes both the B&W and color photo. I didn't find the lake in your B&W photo till I looked at your original color version, which I like more. The landscape is interesting with its rolling hills, the gray, green and brown colors, and the mountain peaks in the background. To my eye, the land mass on the right side of the photo is a little distracting from the more interesting parts or your landscape. I cropped your image to a 9x10 landscape creating a winding leading line from the inlet in the lake through the rolling hills to the mountain top. To me, this is the most interesting part of your photo, the blue lake in the foreground and mountain peaks in the background, which I think is a beautiful photo. I know you lose most of the sky which was your original intent. What do you think? Posted: 03/10/2025 15:01:12
Thank you, Jim. The sky is what really caught my attention this day and was my focus with the image. I do like your idea of a crop, though. I will go back to it and consider that. Posted: 03/20/2025 13:46:59
Hi Randy, your image "Mountain Sky" immediately caught my eye with its dramatic black-and-white sky. It reminded me of my recent trip to Iceland-the wild, moody sky really complements the breathtaking mountain view. I appreciate how the black-and-white conversion emphasizes the untamed nature of the sky, while your original color version draws the eye to the serene lake and beautiful blue sky. Both versions offer unique strengths, showcasing different aspects of the scene. Great capture!
Posted: 03/13/2025 21:39:24
Posted: 03/13/2025 21:39:24
Thank you, Linda. Posted: 03/20/2025 13:47:54
Randy, I can't quite decide which image I like better. As others have already written, the black and white version looks rather dramatic, you can't imagine who or what might be living there.
The original with the blue sky and the green areas looks more inviting and friendly. I like Jim's cropping of the image. It looks balanced in the composition. I would crop the sky a little more, but then the wonderful clouds disappear.
It's probably a choice, clouds or mountains.
Overall these mountains are a great photographic object , which you have seen and staged well.
Posted: 03/14/2025 07:55:37
The original with the blue sky and the green areas looks more inviting and friendly. I like Jim's cropping of the image. It looks balanced in the composition. I would crop the sky a little more, but then the wonderful clouds disappear.
It's probably a choice, clouds or mountains.
Overall these mountains are a great photographic object , which you have seen and staged well.
Posted: 03/14/2025 07:55:37
Thank you, Sabine. I like Jim's idea of a crop, too. It does seem a little more balanced that way. Posted: 03/20/2025 13:55:51
Randy, I'm voting for the color version and agree with Jim. The beautiful blue sky with swervy clouds and different shades and shapes of the mountains are very soothing. It's interesting that the same photo in black in white has an ominous feeling. Great photo which ever feeling you'd like to express. Posted: 03/16/2025 19:52:55
Thank you, Yvonne. It is interesting to me that some thought the b&w version had an ominous or unwelcoming feeling. I lived not far from this location when I was younger and have always considered it to be a peaceful place for me. I appreciate the different perspectives on this, though. Posted: 03/20/2025 14:00:31