Peggy Reeder
July 2025 - Saguaro
Original
About the Image(s)
This is a fairly ordinary scene in the desert near Tucson. I liked the field of saguaro climbing the mountain up to the peak. I processed the color version with heavy emphasis on texture and contrast, thinking that I would convert it to monochrome. The conversion was done in Silver Efex Pro with the addition of sepia toning and a border. Do you prefer the color or monochrome?
5 comments posted
Beautiful capture with the cloud formation. We spend our winters just north of here. I think your B&W version more clearly emphasizes the saguaros because most of them are single posts. I do like that you included the tree but I think I would have cropped some more of it from the right to make the hill/cacti the clear subject rather than the tree. Posted: 07/01/2025 14:52:42
I like the monochrome one best I think. The saguaros seem to stand out more. Not sure if I would crop the tree as I think it adds to the framing of the mountain. Posted: 07/01/2025 16:24:12
I think the mono works the best owing to the improved contrast -- especially with the clouds, it has a little IR look to it. The tree branches seem to be pointing to the scene beyond, almost presenting the cacti to the viewer. Posted: 07/01/2025 17:30:55
This brings back memories of the Tucson PSA Conference. From this angle I think the presentation is a s good as it can be. I feel that cropping the tree would spoil the composition. Perhaps you may consider eliminating the unnecessary and distracting branches at the bottom. The B&W tone is okay, but it appears a bit static to me. Perhaps you may consider a Sepia or other tone. Posted: 07/02/2025 14:35:04
Good choice to modify to a B&W. I agree with Joe that the current B&W version looks a little static. As Joe said, maybe try a Sepia tone. Wonder if this might give it the Old West look of the frontier Tucson era. Posted: 07/08/2025 14:16:03