Mikael (Concert hall)

Suggestions for the b/w processing.

compositionally this is stellar and I feel the weight of the structure and the tension caused by the engineering that went into the design.

 

I am a bit bothered by the sky, I would suggest to completely erase it all together? Dunno, just a suggestion,

Evan

Thanks Evan.

I'll throw another one here which is processed little differently, it has a more whiter sky. And while you pointed the sky for me, the grey tone on the building started to annoy me a lot, that's why i changed that also. Thanks for the push bro, i needed it.

Best rgs Tero

 

Much better, cleaner and higher quality. I am glad you took it one step beyond!

Cheers man,

eVan

Yeah, well like i said... thanks for the push. Personally i like it more also now.

I like the second version too, as the sky stops being a factor and the architecture and angle has all the stage, letting the viewer concentrate on the details. It is a very nice camera point and crop from reality, well composed.

Thanks Pnina. I feel also that the sky was a distraction there when it was there. The second version isn't perfect also but improved version. I'm trying to hold these tips on my mind next time i'll try processing b/w images.

The second version rocks. Removing the sky and emphasizing the strong graphic nature of the building helps to remove it from any sort of context and transforms it into an abstract wonder (on poles).

The second version is very good! It looks sharper also.

I don't have a favourite. I like the grittiness and real feel of the first one. I also like the complexity of the tones in general and specifically the tones on the underside of the structure more in the original. In the second version with increased contrast and brightness some of the more subtle tones are lost in the quest for a more graphic rendition. The sky dropping out in the second version is nice as it does not have enough substance in the first version to contribute in any meaningful way to the atmosphere. I also like the appearance of increased sharpness in the second version I suspect caused mainly by the contrast boost, although it may have gone a bit farther than was needed. An important aspect of this image for me is the juxtaposition of the modern and graphic nature of the structure with the grungy and corroded feel of those supporting poles. In that regard the first version wins hands down. Either way, an interesting building, capture expertly.

Jeff: "Abstract wonder on poles" that was a first time i hear it for this building, but it certainly discribes it very well ;D

Joseph: The sharpness boost came from other processing, didn't actually altered the actual sharpness at all.

Gord: What i did it was levels and curves adjustments, that's where the shaprness comes. For me the grey tones in the first ones started bother me, personally i preffer the second because it has more whites and blacks. But in the images like "Palander" i preffer more the normal style where the contrast isn't boosted to the "graphic stage".

I didn't realize that curves could have such an effect. Thanks for sharing. And I agree that the black and white tones of the second are more appealing. Just my opinion of course.

Opinions and suggestion are what i'm after here... so thanks Joseph for that. And yes, only those adjustments what i did to the second version. Normally i develope my pictures in Lightroom but this second version is modified in CS2 where i use more curves adjustments than the levels.

vote for the second version. in my experiences the sky is a dilemma too. regards.

Looking your last edition and thinking only about an aesthetical viewpoint or graphic vision, this last one is really interesting focusing all in the building, I love this last interpretation.All the best

Tero;

 

Adjusting the tone curve is just another ways of adjusting brightness and contrast. The most significant difference to using curves and the reason why I prefer it, is the more subtle control it allows. If you steepen the angle of the curve and raise the top shoulder and lower the bottom shoulder to create a strong " S " shape the end result as you already know is the higher contrast you achieved in the second photo. Either way, it is the dropping out of more mid tones that gives the appearance of sharpness. I am inspired by the quality you are getting from your B&W conversions lately.

Yes,I agree with Gordon,your last b&w editions are really good done,in this case I like very much the brilliant metallic areas against the black glass windows I can observe that you stretch until the end the posibilities of the curve,although leaving perhaps a little touch without detail

Fly: Thanks for your opinion, really appreciated.

Mario: Thanks for commenting. Clad that you have liked the b/w conversions i've done lately. I bet i still have lot to learn on that area so any kind of feedback is always appreciated.

Gord: Like you said that the curves gives more subtle control on the outcome than the contrast lever. That's why i tend to use it more because i can control the outcome better in that way. What fashinates me in b/w processing is that i can learn new things all the time. Hopefully that doesn't stop anytime soon

I like them both, and think that each one serves a different purpose, as an abstract the second one works best, on the other hand the subtlety of the clouds serves as a context builder....at least it gives me the idea of a wt and humid climate, explaining the rust and stains on the post.

The composition is remarkable well achieved, perhaps the biggest asset to the whole image.

Any way...you know how much I admire architecture, and how much I appreciate and enjoy your work, seeing both together is a real joy to me.

Cheers,

 

The tonality in the bottom half of the structure trumps the second attempt. Nice photo.

 

Cheers,

 

Jay

Beautiful lines and shapes in this interesting architectural capture Mikael.

My best Xmas wishes for you and your family.

 

i'm a bit late. i love your images. on this one, what about with more sky?

http://rjjackson.com/images/temp/8300713-lgsky_idea.jpg

You did a great job with it. Personally i'm not so keen on PS work but this shows that i should pay more attention to it.

these clouds are in your image, not PS fabrications. i only masked off the building and adjusted curves and a bit contrast in the sky -- exact same technique i use when handprinting to darken the sky.