Thanks for your comments.
I guess I have to fess up. Tim introduced me to Nik's Silver EFEX.
The real attraction here is the line and form but I'm glad you liked the effect.
Henry,
Like the others, I really like your interpretation.
Something here confuses me, though. Looking at the two dunes gives me the impression of them being fairly large. Yet the tracks of the insect (or other small critter) also seem relatively large by comparison. Were you standing really close to the tracks and using a very wide angle lens? Or is something else going on? Perhaps the dunes aren't as big as they seem?
Charlie
Henry W: Okay, your use of Silver Efex Pro will given you superb control over b&w images. I use this software, too, and cannot praise it highly enough, although I've used it only for a short while. With this software, I have produced my second keeper worthy of printing and showing at 13 x 19. I also use this software to render satisfying portraits printed at 4 x 6. Of course, images still need attention in image-editing software. In your image of the dunes, for example, the sky looks mottled, and distracts from the stark abstractness of the image. Compositionally, I tend to agree with Charlie Shugart, in that a clear indicator of proportion would help the eye of the viewer. Perceptually, at least for me, the surface sand tracks do not catch my eye first, only secondarily, and tend to create some interest. The shapes of dark and light dominate. Yet, the presentation of this image as a straight abstraction in b&w might fair better without these tracks. My final comment may not pertain to the printed version of your dune image: The brightness of the upper dune in the Web version looks out of balance with the rest of the image, and calls too much attention to itself. As well, its detail appears washed out. The image would likely please the eye more if the bright area and the detail of the upper dune more closely matched the others. I hope to see more of your images done in Silver Efex Pro. Happy New Year!
Charlie Shugart wrote:
Henry,
Like the others, I really like your interpretation.
Something here confuses me, though. Looking at the two dunes gives me the impression of them being fairly large. Yet the tracks of the insect (or other small critter) also seem relatively large by comparison. Were you standing really close to the tracks and using a very wide angle lens? Or is something else going on? Perhaps the dunes aren't as big as they seem?
Charlie
Hi Charlie,
It was both close and far if that helps. It was with a hand held full frame @105mm with a lot of detail in the fore. Because I was shooting handheld it was fortunate to be able maneuver to the best viewpoint.
anotherview wrote:
Henry W: Okay, your use of Silver Efex Pro will given you superb control over b&w images. I use this software, too, and cannot praise it highly enough, although I've used it only for a short while. With this software, I have produced my second keeper worthy of printing and showing at 13 x 19. I also use this software to render satisfying portraits printed at 4 x 6. Of course, images still need attention in image-editing software. In your image of the dunes, for example, the sky looks mottled, and distracts from the stark abstractness of the image. Compositionally, I tend to agree with Charlie Shugart, in that a clear indicator of proportion would help the eye of the viewer. Perceptually, at least for me, the surface sand tracks do not catch my eye first, only secondarily, and tend to create some interest. The shapes of dark and light dominate. Yet, the presentation of this image as a straight abstraction in b&w might fair better without these tracks. My final comment may not pertain to the printed version of your dune image: The brightness of the upper dune in the Web version looks out of balance with the rest of the image, and calls too much attention to itself. As well, its detail appears washed out. The image would likely please the eye more if the bright area and the detail of the upper dune more closely matched the others. I hope to see more of your images done in Silver Efex Pro. Happy New Year!...Show more →
