Michele Borgarelli, BPSA
July 2026 - Clouds
About the Image(s)
Background: This image shows Torre d’Ovarda peak (3,075 m / 10,088 ft) in the Graian Alps, surrounded by clouds. It was taken at the same time as my previously posted image. We were fortunate that the clouds briefly lifted, creating a very dramatic scene.
This photograph is part of my project “Valli di Lanzo”:
https://www.micheleborgarelli.com/VALLI-DI-LANZO
Technical details: Nikon Z 7II, Nikkor 24??“70 mm f/2.8 at 40 mm, 1/200 s, f/18, ISO 200.
Post-processing: Cropped to a 4:3 aspect ratio and converted to black and white. Basic adjustments were applied, including opening the shadows and blacks, along with selective increases in brightness and detail on the mountain.
15 comments posted
This ia an impressive image. I love how you captured the mountains with the clouds drifting around the peaks. I also like the black and white processing. The large fuzzy cloud in the lower left side of the image bothers me, though. I don't know how you could avoid it but it appears like a fuzz ball blocking the lens rather than a cloud. It also seems to make the lower half off balance -- you have nice texture on the lower right but a funny fuzz ball on the left. Posted: 07/01/2026 13:35:21
Hi Mike
thank you for taking the time to provide a detailed comment on my image. About the cloud on the bottom left corner, I can see your point, although I can see the pattern of the clouds on my screen and also in the print I have for the exhibit. Saying, that I cropped a little the image. Doing so, I lost some of the snow but I think it can create indeed a more balanced image.
best wishes
Michele Posted: 07/02/2026 07:25:29
thank you for taking the time to provide a detailed comment on my image. About the cloud on the bottom left corner, I can see your point, although I can see the pattern of the clouds on my screen and also in the print I have for the exhibit. Saying, that I cropped a little the image. Doing so, I lost some of the snow but I think it can create indeed a more balanced image.
best wishes
Michele Posted: 07/02/2026 07:25:29
I like the revised version much better. It has a nice balance and a good V-shape between the clouds on the left and rocks on the right. Posted: 07/02/2026 15:35:49
I like this image, very impressive, the clouds add a lot of drama to the scene. Agree the revised version is more balanced. Posted: 07/03/2026 03:33:25
Thank you Spring. Much appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
best wishes
Michele Posted: 07/03/2026 10:16:46
best wishes
Michele Posted: 07/03/2026 10:16:46
This is a powerful and atmospheric black-and-white landscape that interplay between the sharp, rugged textures of the mountain peaks and the soft, ethereal rolling clouds. It has a strong composition with the diagonal slopes leading the viewer's eye through the frame and giving it a sense of depth. The high-contrast is very effective for emphasizing the dramatic light and shadow on the rock faces. I agree that the cropped version results in a more balanced image. Posted: 07/08/2026 02:38:15
Thank you Dennis for taking the time to share your thoughts on my image. I much appreciate it. I have to say, that I have a print of the original one and I really like. Other versions can also be compelling, but I guess this shows the difference between seeing a print and an image on the screen.
best
Michele Posted: 07/09/2026 06:00:11
best
Michele Posted: 07/09/2026 06:00:11
Michele, this is a full-on "DON'T MESS WITH MOTHER NATURE!" masterpiece. Some things are simply beyond improving-and this is one of them. I wouldn't change a single thing! Posted: 07/08/2026 11:53:52
Thank you Tom, this is very nice and much appreciated.
best wishes
Michele Posted: 07/09/2026 06:00:46
best wishes
Michele Posted: 07/09/2026 06:00:46
I'm with Tom on this one a cracker! Posted: 07/08/2026 14:34:52
Thank you Nigel, this is very nice and means a lot to me knowing you like my image.
best wishes
Michele Posted: 07/09/2026 06:01:33
best wishes
Michele Posted: 07/09/2026 06:01:33
This presents an awsome and powerful earth. I would like to see the color version to see the difference. The cropped version may present a different views. Posted: 07/09/2026 00:34:28
Thank you, John,
As mentioned in my reply to Dennis, my original crop, once printed, results in an image that I really like, with the texture in the clouds becoming much more evident. Your vertical crop is another valid solution. I suppose it is ultimately a matter of personal taste.
William Eggleston is famous for taking just a single photograph of his subjects so that he would not have to choose among multiple images afterward.
I am attaching the color version. In my opinion, the color image is much less dramatic. Again, that is perfectly fine, but for this exhibition all of the images are in black and white, and I also have a series of three photographs titled Clouds. I wanted to maintain consistency throughout the presentation.
Best wishes,
Michele Posted: 07/09/2026 06:13:49
As mentioned in my reply to Dennis, my original crop, once printed, results in an image that I really like, with the texture in the clouds becoming much more evident. Your vertical crop is another valid solution. I suppose it is ultimately a matter of personal taste.
William Eggleston is famous for taking just a single photograph of his subjects so that he would not have to choose among multiple images afterward.
I am attaching the color version. In my opinion, the color image is much less dramatic. Again, that is perfectly fine, but for this exhibition all of the images are in black and white, and I also have a series of three photographs titled Clouds. I wanted to maintain consistency throughout the presentation.
Best wishes,
Michele Posted: 07/09/2026 06:13:49
Michele, the color image is gorgeous, and I'm so glad you shared it. That said, I completely agree with you-the monochrome version being incredibly dramatic and such a powerful impact. Posted: 07/09/2026 11:51:30
The color image looks good too. Posted: 07/09/2026 18:16:20