Colour, Black and White or Neither?

Got a thin skin? Then look elsewhere. Post a link to an image that you've made, and invite others to offer their critiques. Honesty is encouraged, but please be positive in your constructive criticism. Flaming and just plain nastiness will not be tolerated. Please note that this is not an area for you to showcase your images, nor is this a place for you to show-off where you have been. This is an area for you to post images so that you may share with us a technique that you have mastered, or are trying to master. Typically, no more than about four images should be posted in any one post or thread, and the maximum size of any side of any image should not exceed 950 px.

Moderators: Greg B, Nnnnsic, Geoff, Glen, gstark, Moderators

Forum rules
Please note that image critiquing is a matter of give and take: if you post images for critique, and you then expect to receive criticism, then it is also reasonable, fair and appropriate that, in return, you post your critique of the images of other members here as a matter of courtesy. So please do offer your critique of the images of others; your opinion is important, and will help everyone here enjoy their visit to far greater extent.

Also please note that, unless you state something to the contrary, other members might attempt to repost your image with their own post processing applied. We see this as an acceptable form of critique, but should you prefer that others not modify your work, this is perfectly ok, and you should state this, either within your post, or within your signature.

Images posted here should conform with the general forum guidelines. Image sizes should not exceed 950 pixels along the largest side (height or width) and typically no more than four images per post or thread.

Please also ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is.

Colour, Black and White or Neither?

Postby johndec on Fri May 05, 2006 8:47 pm

Those members that live in Sydney would be aware of the Anzac statue at the eastbound approach to Anzac bridge. It faces due west (into the setting sun for symbolism) and at midday today I stopped and photographed it. The sun was at 90 degrees to the statue which cast a rather large shadow on the face and part of the body. I actually wanted that for effect as it represents all that have fought and died so therefore the face should be somewhat anonymous.

Below is pretty much as shot, just a slight shadow adjustment to the dark areas to bring out a bit of detail. I actually think that the colour version doesn't look quite right with the bright blue sky, so I did a B&W with a slight sepia tone to sort of give it a more "historical" feel, but I'm not sure about that either. The straight B&W looked pretty ordinary, hence the sepia tone.

Help? Opinions? Advice? :?
Image

Image
If I'm alone in a forest and my wife is not around to hear what I say, am I still wrong ??
User avatar
johndec
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1327
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2004 11:24 pm
Location: Sans Souci, Sydney...D200....

Postby xerubus on Fri May 05, 2006 8:51 pm

i think if you got stuck into some dodging and burning it would work a treat... best thing is to just play until you're happy.

cheers
http://www.markcrossphotography.com - A camera, glass, and some light.
User avatar
xerubus
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2740
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:33 pm
Location: Nth Brisbane

Postby johnd on Fri May 05, 2006 9:03 pm

John, I definately like the b/w version better. The coloured one seems to have a blue caste on the statue.

Cheers
John
D3, D300, 14-24/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 80-400VR, 18-200VR, 105/2.8 VR macro, Sigma 150/2.8 macro
http://www.johndarguephotography.com/
User avatar
johnd
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1342
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2005 2:14 pm
Location: Sandy Bay, Tas.

Postby NJ on Fri May 05, 2006 9:08 pm

john, the black and white gives it a much nicer feel, but i think the lighting has taken away from a lot of the detail in the face because it was behind the statue which is a shame, but its great shot otherwise.
Nathan
D700 | MB-D10 | Nikkor 14-24 | Nikkor 24-70 | Sigma 70-200 | 20 2.8 28 2.8 35 2 50 1.8 | Sigma 105 | SB-800
http://www.flickr.com/nathanjphoto/
User avatar
NJ
Senior Member
 
Posts: 712
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:00 am
Location: Ringwood, Melbourne

Postby johndec on Fri May 05, 2006 10:51 pm

Thanks for the feedback guys but the more I look at it, the more I realise it just doesn't work.. It's boring. :lol: Next time I'm going past I may try it from a more acute angle (ie stand right underneath it and shoot much more vertically).
If I'm alone in a forest and my wife is not around to hear what I say, am I still wrong ??
User avatar
johndec
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1327
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2004 11:24 pm
Location: Sans Souci, Sydney...D200....

Postby Manta on Fri May 05, 2006 10:57 pm

I think you nailed it best yourself John - the image just doesn't demand attention as it's currently composed. If these two were all you had, I'd up the contrast on the monochrome version and keep that. The blue cast in the colour shot makes the whole thing look washed out.

Best reshoot, methinks. I don't reckon the bloke's going anywhere in a hurry so pick a nice sunrise, sunset or interesting sky to really show him off.
Simon
D300 l MB-D10 l D70 l SB-800 l 70-200 VR l TC 17-E l 18-70 f3.5-4.5 l 70-300 f4-5.6 l 50 f1.4 l 90 Macro f2.8 l 12-24 f4
http://www.redbubble.com/people/manta
User avatar
Manta
Former Outstanding Member Of The Year
 
Posts: 3815
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 10:49 pm
Location: Hamilton Qld

Postby johndec on Fri May 05, 2006 11:07 pm

Think you're right Manta. BTW, a couple of you have mentioned the "blue cast" . In PS it is not visible and I even did an A4 print and it doesn't show it either but on the compressed for web version you can see it is quite obvious. :shock:
If I'm alone in a forest and my wife is not around to hear what I say, am I still wrong ??
User avatar
johndec
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1327
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2004 11:24 pm
Location: Sans Souci, Sydney...D200....


Return to Image Reviews and Critiques