I know people get in a hurry to get through all the posts in the feed and can't take the time to read the description under everyone's pics but, I do wish you'd read this one. I posted a color version of the black and white version I posted for the low-key theme. Links are below. The only reason I posted that color version of the gardenia was to show you what it needed to look like "in color" in order to convert it to black and white for the low-key theme. The exposure was AWFUL to just post it as a pic for the sake of a pic. This one, however, is a much better color shot for its own sake. It would turn into a muddy mess of "flat" shades of gray, if I converted it to black and white with way too much noise for the low-key theme. Make sense?
I apologize for the mass reply tonight, but wanted to thank you all before I head off for bed. Appreciate every single one of your kind comments! Very grateful for your visit, too!
I like the composition here. But the blossom had better detail on the colour shot you took to be converted into b&w. The leaves look better on this shot though, but I care more for the flower :) I find it hard to photograph white subjects. It is really hard to choose the right balance for the exposure and then it in the end, it's all about what kind of aesthetics someone likes or even worse, what mood we are in when viewing :)
I really like, that you showed us the different versions of this shot with your comments - it was interesting to think about it :)
I agree with Sassik. If you are working with photoshop or similar, it might be possible to alter the detail in the highlights of just the flower in this shot in order to bring out a little more detail - but not too much as it is a lovely 'happy' flower at the moment!
Typically I much prefer flower shots in color. This is lovely! I'm waiting for my gardenias to bloom--they're late this year. BTW, I always read the description and generally will also follow the links. Sometimes it takes me a while to comment on other's photos because I don't rush through the photos. Also I've given up thanking people individually unless their is a question asked, etc. I find most people don't have the time read the thank yous and would prefer to be reciprocated with comments on the photos instead. OK, now I'm on to your links ;-))) And I definitely want to thank you for your loyal support in viewing & commenting on my photos as well. You are a joy here on 365!
I think this is stunning - and you know I love flowers. I do appreciate them most often in color because of the varieties and the veining you can see in them. A plain white flower like a gardenia probably lends itself best to b&w. But my 2cents aren't worth much to this discussion as I use b&w so very rarely and am in awe of color. Love your low key work! I was reading somebody's discussion last night of his b&w shot and looked up the programs and filters he used to achieve it - couple of $100 a pop. Out of my league.....
Mags - Excellent shot and tutorial. I've had fun with Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro 2; It gives the the ability to look at the B&W showing the effects of different filters. Just click to see what the image would look like with a clear filter, orange filter, green filter, red filter or blue filter. Fun stuff.....
Beautiful flower, beautifully shot! You're right, not all photos convert well into B&W images. The contrast levels and tonal range are something to consider, among other things. Thank you for the lesson. I love color way too much though, and prefer to see flowers in full color shots. 8)
I am one of those that read all of the comments... I sometimes enjoy the stories as much as the pics :) This is so lovely, have to fav as it's my mom's favorite flower :) I am going to have to share it with her! Thanks for the lesson - truly appreciated! The b&w is lovely too!
@ronphotos365 Ron - are those better in that program than my Lightroom filters to play with? I am always on the lookout and I must try something more in b&w
@sabaa Thank you, Sabaa! I'm glad to know that you do!
@traciwood You are a sweetheart, Traci! Thank you!
@cimes1 Thank you, Carole! Way back in college when I took my photog courses. You were required to take two (2) classes in black and white before you were even allowed to shoot in color. I think it gave me a deeper appreciation for the art of photography and trying to take more than just a pretty picture. I realize color is the only thing most people care to see. Black and white is almost a different world completely and requires you to think of your shots a little differently.
@cdonohoue Thank you, Cathy! I use Photoshop and Perfect Photo Suite and they more than fulfill my needs, since I don't know how to use all the options available to me yet. Little by little.
@ronphotos365 I have that option in Photoshop, Ron. Will take me years to learn how to use all the options in PS and in PPS. Thank you for your kind comments!
@myautofocuslife Thank you, Livia! I can appreciate every word you wrote!
@gabsview Wow! Thank you for the fav and lovely comments, Gabrielle! You are so kind! Most appreciated!
I always try to read all the blurb that people write, it people have bothered to write it I like to read it:0) I have kept meaning to ask you what you mean by pinning but just looked at your profile and saw the links - wow some stunning shots. Anyway waffling now, I like this fo rme it is clean and crisps and of the other two the B&W didn't do it for me on the key theme, preferred the colour but honestly I know nothing:0)
Lovely shot! Thank you for your explanation (and the shots) of how you got a low key shot. I tried to get one and I either overexposed or underexposed these. Low key is something I want to learn how to do.
Love this. I love the dof, the softness of the petals, and the way the color highlights the white of the flower.
Thank you for the explanation and the visual examples. I often wonder why I can't make the conversion to b&w work the way I expect. Maybe I should under expose a bit if I plan to try b&w?
@herussell Thank you, Hope! Not necessarily! Sometimes, all you need to do is up your blacks and whites to balance the highlights and shadows. For low-key, yes - under expose. Hope that helps some.
@kerristephens Thank you, Kerri!
Remember, I'm still trying to develop an eye for this stuff.
I apologize for the mass reply tonight, but wanted to thank you all before I head off for bed. Appreciate every single one of your kind comments! Very grateful for your visit, too!
@ellimae Thank you very much, Ellen!
I really like, that you showed us the different versions of this shot with your comments - it was interesting to think about it :)
@sassik Thank you, Sassik! I can appreciate every single word you wrote!
@janturnbull Grateful for your kind comments! Thank you, Janet!
@sangwann Thank you, Dione!
@sabaa Thank you, Sabaa! I'm glad to know that you do!
@traciwood You are a sweetheart, Traci! Thank you!
@cimes1 Thank you, Carole! Way back in college when I took my photog courses. You were required to take two (2) classes in black and white before you were even allowed to shoot in color. I think it gave me a deeper appreciation for the art of photography and trying to take more than just a pretty picture. I realize color is the only thing most people care to see. Black and white is almost a different world completely and requires you to think of your shots a little differently.
@cdonohoue Thank you, Cathy! I use Photoshop and Perfect Photo Suite and they more than fulfill my needs, since I don't know how to use all the options available to me yet. Little by little.
@twinsplusone You are very kind, Sharon! Thank you!
@klemieux Thank you, Ken! I think. LOL!
@ulpiphotos Thank you, Ulpi!
@ronphotos365 I have that option in Photoshop, Ron. Will take me years to learn how to use all the options in PS and in PPS. Thank you for your kind comments!
@myautofocuslife Thank you, Livia! I can appreciate every word you wrote!
@gabsview Wow! Thank you for the fav and lovely comments, Gabrielle! You are so kind! Most appreciated!
Thank you for the explanation and the visual examples. I often wonder why I can't make the conversion to b&w work the way I expect. Maybe I should under expose a bit if I plan to try b&w?
@herussell Thank you, Hope! Not necessarily! Sometimes, all you need to do is up your blacks and whites to balance the highlights and shadows. For low-key, yes - under expose. Hope that helps some.