From a bouquet of flowers that Jim brought home yesterday to brighten up the house.
Processed with Silver Efex Pro. I tried them individually, couldn't decide, and decided in the end that they formed an interesting collage. The three reflect processing that differs in amount of contrast (center highest contrast) and structure (right side least structure). Used the same original color photo to create each. Adjusted brightness in middle one to further emphasize the contrast.
I've been a couch potato today, viewing and commenting and enjoying catching up (though still not caught up). Thank you all for your wonderful supportive response to my Hawaii series. Today, for a bit, three were on PP! What a wonderful end to Year One of 365.
Alternate shots: Heavy Rain in Honolulu http://365project.org/taffy/the-also-ran-ph/2013-12-28
Moon Over Oahu: http://365project.org/taffy/special-photos/2013-12-28
This is lovely as a collage and very interesting comparison in processing, too. Silver Efex has so many options. I am amazed how different an image can look depending on the editing choices.
There are soooo lovely! I love them all. I think the one on the right is my fav. Wow...what? One more photo? You aren't quitting are you? Please say no!! Have so enjoyed your friendship, talent and inspiration!! Congrats on 3 pp's!
@aecasey Thanks April! I also liked all three -- it's so interesting to me and fun as well, to fool around with an image in terms of structure, contrast, and brightness. You can create such different feelings through these!
@rellimdj Thanks Joe! I was doing the same thing trying to see what mood each one created, from darker and moodier to more artistic and representational. Nerd fun, I guess it is!
I got the Nik suite for Christmas, so I especially appreciate seeing what can be done with Silver Efex Pro. Excellent presentation, and congrats on the PP PP PP.
@eyesmile@taffy Oh, no...I didn't mean one more forever -- I just meant almost done with the first year (actually 3 more to go). I am sure I'll continue -- like you, I feel that I've made too many friends on the site to stop -- I'd miss everyone! But I think I'll be more relaxed about the every day thing. The rest of my life deserves some prioritizing at this point!
A very interesting study, and a great idea to triptych them. My Nik Silver trial is about to run out so I'm going to have to dig deep and try and buy it.
This is a really cool study. I think I like the far left one, the background texture especially. Have you read any of Michael Freeman's books on black and white? Ann and I were talking about using one for a book club in February.
@archaeofrog I do have it -- I bought it this summer and read parts of it. I thought it was great, but I realize I've left it on the island. UGH!!! So, if you do go ahead with it, I'll just have to get another copy. Let me know in advance and I'll re-order one. I hate it when I do stuff like this!
@taffy I'm waiting to hear back from Ann, but will do. I have them all from the library and realized that the "Field" Guide is basically word-for-word the same as "The Complete Guide to Black and White," so I think we can use either. Check your local library too - mine has them.
Great idea for the triptych! As far as each pic goes, I think I prefer the far left...with less contrast but more structure. Rest up! As fun as travel is, we do need rest when we get home.
Fabulous triptych Taffy!! I love Silver Efex for B&W and this just shows what variety of choice you have!! Congratulations on PP - three at once!! I managed 2 on PP yesterday - such a lovely way to end our first 365!!
Awesome triptych! Stunning processing... I don't know that you could have selected just one. I am delighted I get to see all three! Congratulations on the PP! Well done! What a great way to end this year!
interesting study... i think it's an excellent exercise to try out the different presets... for this comp, i prefer the one on the right - but that's just me... i very often get rid of as much texture as possible :)
@northy I really like using the presets as a starting point, but am finding that I can do better using the controls on the right hand side to get the exact look I want. In this case the ones on the outside both started with the same preset and then I basically moved (for the smooth one) the structure button to the lighter side of the settings to take out the structural elements. The one in the middle started with silhouette, but then I brightened it a bit to bring out a little more of the vase and the flowers. But I when I first started, I ONLY used presets and would save them out to compare one to another, before I realized how the nuances could be shifted with the controls on the right.
@taffy absolutely... i almost never just use a preset as is anymore, although i did a lot at the beginning... do you ever play with the colour filters in silver efex (the coloured dots, not the toners)... i find they can make subtle but important differences to the image...
@northy Color filters -- I do use them occasionally, but I don't know enough about filters for it to be more than trial and error at this point. I feel pretty confident now with texture, brightness, and contrast in that I can be a little more intentional than when I started. But the color isn't something I have any conceptual understanding of at all. How do you use them?
@taffy it's still mostly trial and error, but i generally find that either the green or the red one will pull out someone's face from the shadow... and blue tends to get you to a very stark place (kind of like silhouette, but not necessarily quite that stark)... anyway, i almost always cycle thru them to see whether i like the result better than the neutral filter sfx starts with...
@seanoneill Thanks! I was just reading your commentary about studying b&w photographers for inspiration. I want to do more with b&w this year and may do something similar along the way -- will watch your album closely for ideas!
January 2nd, 2014
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Lovely shot. Thank you for your support during the year, may you have an awesome photography year in 2014 :)) Fav