Paul Smith
March 2025 - Venice in B/W
About the Image(s)
Hello all. Your Group 39 caught eye by routinely offering high quality, clever B/w images. I decided to move to 39 to learn more about how ya’ll do it. My equipment is Canon…my go-to B/W editing software is NIK. My preferred lenses are all Canon…17-85, 16-35, 24-105, and 10-22. Am open and eager to learn much more about your products and techniques. For March ’25, I submit an image taken last summer while on a European Cruise, Windstar! Canon 90D, Canon 24-105, NIK Silver Efex. Your comments are encouraged.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted
I very much enjoyed David's "rant" I will use this space to respond to several of his topical questions:
The image was taken last summer in Venice...midday with an overcast sky. My wife and I were merely on a self directed walking tour which required we occasionally use bridges. The scene caught my eye, largely because of the textures...brick, bridge, and water! Unplanned...just happened upon it! I used my Canon 90D and 24-105 lens, handheld. I tend to use high ISO and fast SS. I do this to avoid motion blur, which was a problem until I began to st for faster SS. I use Bridge to move the image into ACR. I adjusted for Noise and Sharpening (Topaz), then moved the image into NIK. This image used the "Push" preset. Then, in NIK, I used Viveza and a control point to lighten the gondola.
Thank you, David, for the description and Comment guidelines Posted: 03/03/2025 10:26:59
The image was taken last summer in Venice...midday with an overcast sky. My wife and I were merely on a self directed walking tour which required we occasionally use bridges. The scene caught my eye, largely because of the textures...brick, bridge, and water! Unplanned...just happened upon it! I used my Canon 90D and 24-105 lens, handheld. I tend to use high ISO and fast SS. I do this to avoid motion blur, which was a problem until I began to st for faster SS. I use Bridge to move the image into ACR. I adjusted for Noise and Sharpening (Topaz), then moved the image into NIK. This image used the "Push" preset. Then, in NIK, I used Viveza and a control point to lighten the gondola.
Thank you, David, for the description and Comment guidelines Posted: 03/03/2025 10:26:59
Welcome to the Group, Paul. I think you have framed the gondola well, but I am losing the gondola because there is not enough contrast. I think you could crop up from the bottom a bit and not lose its essence. Because it is easier to try my suggestions, I played with your image. I used the Fine Art filter in Silver Efex Pro, vignetted at 9%, and then used Vivesa to further lighten the area around the Gondola. What do you think? Of course, it is my vision not yours. Posted: 03/13/2025 13:19:57
I like what you have done. Thanks for the ideas. Posted: 03/14/2025 17:39:11
Pleasing image with strong composition. The small boat sits in the perfect position that however we play with the crop tool it sits well. The textures are lovely. I like Fran crop as the bright area on the water is drawing the eye. But I do wonder if tighter is strong and make that little boat more dominate. It also removes all the white water. Posted: 03/16/2025 08:31:06
Welcome to the group Paul.
Ten persons at the same place, at the same moment will produce 10 different pictures.
Even if the see a picture with a "Z" view, I think there is too much place at the bottom. I like Fran's suggestion. I think the reflection of the gondola has to be kept. Posted: 03/18/2025 04:28:22
Ten persons at the same place, at the same moment will produce 10 different pictures.
Even if the see a picture with a "Z" view, I think there is too much place at the bottom. I like Fran's suggestion. I think the reflection of the gondola has to be kept. Posted: 03/18/2025 04:28:22
This image has strong contrast and details in the upper portion and draws the viewer in. The vertical format works well for the subject, and the reflections lead the viewer in.
I agree with the crop that Fran did, however, with or without that crop, it tends to be off-balance due to the in-camera crop at the top. I would like to see more at the top. I think the crop by Paul creates more balance but the top is still heavy.
Just for fun I too Pauls image and added to the top. Let me know what you think. Posted: 03/20/2025 16:44:52
I agree with the crop that Fran did, however, with or without that crop, it tends to be off-balance due to the in-camera crop at the top. I would like to see more at the top. I think the crop by Paul creates more balance but the top is still heavy.
Just for fun I too Pauls image and added to the top. Let me know what you think. Posted: 03/20/2025 16:44:52