Chan Garrett
December 2024 - Boy on Stairs
Original
About the Image(s)
For August, 2020 I submitted this image in color (Original.)
It remains one of my favorite images, but I keep feeling I can do more with it in post processing. Therefore, I have revisited the image and now present it as a B&W image.
Conversion is done in Photoshop with additional burning and dodging.
18 comments posted
Chan, the BW version is so much more appealing to me. It portrays a sense of loneliness that the boy may be feeling. The black vignetting also adds to that sense of loneliness. I do like the BW version much more. Nice job.
Posted: 12/04/2024 16:01:55
Posted: 12/04/2024 16:01:55
Thank you for your comment. This helps me to know if I am on the right track. Posted: 12/04/2024 20:38:07
I remember this image - I liked it then and I like it now! Not sure which is my favorite. The high contrast B&W processing really makes the boy "pop" against he bright background. I like the texture of the stone. Some details in the distant stone are lost due to very bright processing. The vignette (almost "spotlight") draws my gaze straight to the subject. I might consider a slightly less dark vignette (or perhaps a more feathered vignette) - it seems a bit too dark/unrealistic for my eye. I appreciate this is a question of taste. Posted: 12/06/2024 22:02:29
Steven, thank you. After reading your comments I took another look at my image and decided that you are right. I have reduced the intensity of the darker areas to reveal more of the wall on the left side. Posted: 12/07/2024 03:04:11
I like it! Thanks for considering my suggestion. Posted: 12/07/2024 20:23:53
Steven, thank you for your help in improving this image. See my response to Lance and my revision of the image. Posted: 12/11/2024 18:09:43
Hi Chan,
I, too, remember this image and I agree with Steven - I like it both ways. I do like what you did to soften the vignette. To me it looks like the boy is walking into a fantastic scene, but he is distracted by whatever is in his hands. I can imagine him looking up and being overcome with awe at his surroundings. It feels like you observed him in the brief moment before this happens. Posted: 12/08/2024 00:12:20
I, too, remember this image and I agree with Steven - I like it both ways. I do like what you did to soften the vignette. To me it looks like the boy is walking into a fantastic scene, but he is distracted by whatever is in his hands. I can imagine him looking up and being overcome with awe at his surroundings. It feels like you observed him in the brief moment before this happens. Posted: 12/08/2024 00:12:20
This is a fine composition. The only thing that would be better is if he was walking towards you! As to the processing, I agree decrease the vignette, and a little less on the Texture/crunchiness. Posted: 12/08/2024 01:05:00
Will, thank you. I won't upload another revision but have already begun to go back and remove some of the texture advancement.
This is what DD Groups were designed for: learning from each other.
If this image ever receives some sort of award, I will need to share it with you and Steven. Posted: 12/08/2024 14:14:38
This is what DD Groups were designed for: learning from each other.
If this image ever receives some sort of award, I will need to share it with you and Steven. Posted: 12/08/2024 14:14:38
Since you are suggesting submitting it to a competition, I just noticed that in the conversion to Black and white the highlights above and to the left and above the subject have become blown out, it would be best to darken those and regain the detail. Best wishes! Posted: 12/08/2024 14:21:35
Thank you for your observation. Posted: 12/08/2024 18:22:24
Will, thank you for your help with this image. See my response to Lance and my new revision. Posted: 12/11/2024 18:07:22
Very creative interpretation ... though I also agree with Will's suggestion before submitting the picture or getting it printed, to lessen the bright areas a tad. Posted: 12/08/2024 16:41:23
Lance, I have given serious consideration of all the suggestions I have received and have arrived at this new version of the image, Thanks to all who stepped up to help. Posted: 12/11/2024 18:04:06
Oh, yeah! Much better! : ) Posted: 12/11/2024 19:57:55
Thanks to all for the help! Posted: 12/11/2024 20:00:09
Thank, Lance. I will go back to the image and do some more work on it. Posted: 12/08/2024 18:23:25
Excellent image! I like this photo very much! I agree with the others on the details and highlights. One thing that stands out to me is the composition. The traditional composition would have the boy coming toward you. However, with the boy walking up the stairs, away from you, a different story line is created...where is he going? What awaits him? This is excellent and causes me to pause and reflect. Thanks for sharing this! Posted: 12/09/2024 00:18:07