2011 Trail Bridge 2

After a 2 hr. stroll through the woods, and 39 frames exposed, this was my most satisfying frame.  Come to think of it, that's about par for the course when I use a 36 frame roll of film.  This B&W offering trumped the colour version for me.  Best, LM.

Len.. I will not go back to the topic which was discussed, camera first or photographer's capability. I saw thousands of photos taken by medium format camera and personally I see this one in the same quality. It doesn't matter you took 39 frames, because you have got what it is amazing in every single element specially the tonality and sharpness. Best regards

Thanks for lending your insight.  Truth is, I own a medium format Bronica SQ Ai system but at web sizes the image quality is hard to differentiate between the P&S Canon A540 and said MF equipment.  Now, at 40"x40" it's a different story.  But I can't ever remember printing to, or even needing such sizes. Since my printing equipment only allows 8.5" x 11" prints the use of larger cameras is overkill. And the P&S is great up to 12" x 18" (commercial printer) in my experience.   With the P&S and a light tripod I was able to fully enjoy the experience.  Had I taken the Bronica system and the required heavy tripod that day a search party might have found me collapsed under said load.  Pack animals were not allowed on the trail.   :-)   Best, LM.

Len, I'm a sucker for images like this in B&W., and this is excellent. The only distraction to me is the lighter trunk on the RHS, a crop perhaps. or toned down a little?

I'm happy this one tickled your fancy.  A crop would work.  Or a couple of passes with the 'burn' tool in Photoshop.  The lighter trunk on the right had a reddish tone in the colour version so applying 100% Red in the Channel Mixer conversion only made that part an even lighter tone in the B&W version.  But the rest of the frame was more appealing so that's the compromise I made.  Best, LM.

the bw is superb, as happens when we wait for the best light. and, when the bw is in this way, the photo becomes really telling about the place's atmosphere. remarquable depth, too, given by the light

This scene was encountered by chance, serendipity if you will.  Luck is good!  At some level I must have recognized it's potential and was moved to compose & record it.  Only in post processing did I decide I preferred it in B&W.  The brighter bridge area does tend to draw the eye toward it.  Thanks for taking the time.  Best, LM.

hi Len.. for me this photo leaves me cold. i dont get a feeling of Fall. i think that everyone has turned to shooting in B+W. it doesnt always work and in this particular instance i think color may have had a bigger impact.maybe its the grayscale? i need more texture. its missing something? perhaps you were going for the drab or dullness that November sometimes gives off? i do appreciate the lighting on the bridge but then it just ends? it seems like there is nothing beyond that point as well as for the foreground.leaves like snow and sand can be tricky to photograph i think that i would just like to have seen more detail perhaps. just my thoughts Len. take care samme

Good of you to weigh in here.  Long time.  Leaves you cold?  Perhaps the original colour version would be preferred?  I had no artistic goal in mind when I took it.  Simply a scene I came across that looked like it was worth a frame & some time to capture & save.  Your call as to whether the original or my final version is 'better'.  Lots of artistic wiggle room here.  As for textures, I thought the tree bark, leaves, bridge materials, and branches provided sufficient.  And I liked the way the light hit the bridge.  Maybe the shadows need opening up a tad.  As for B&W seeing a surge in popularity,  that may be so, but I didn't set out to produce a B&W.  I simply tried it both ways and the artistic part of me preferred the posted version.  Others' mileage may vary.  Don't be a stranger.  Best, LM.

Hello Len: How've you been? Great composition.Thanks for sharing.

hi Len.. i do prefer the colour version in this case. its almost whimsical and fairy tale like.for geographically reasons its hard to use lighting here effectively at this time of yr. i think you were successful considering the positioning of the sun. maybe i am not embracing the lack of sunshine that will occur over the next few months.. boo hoo.. take care sam

Life is good!  Thanks for asking and thanks for your visit.  Always appreciated.  Best, LM.

Good thing I included the original then.  Something for everyone.  Love it when a plan comes together!  I'm sticking with my original posted version though.  Yah, the coming storm......!  Just got dumped on this morning with the first snow of the season.  Pretty to look at but my back aches just thinking about what's to come.  Stay tuned!  Best, LM.

Such a wonderful place to be and you captured it. Thanks for the technical data.

'.....A wonderful place....'  Yes, a 50 acre woodlot donated to the local conservancy by the original owner (Mr. Grant).  Maintained & serviced by volunteers who built the bridges, albeit with donated materials from local businesses.  A virgin forest to walk through in the fall when the leaves are turning colour or in the spring when the forest floor is carpeted with Ontario's provincial flower, the Trillium.  The only trees that are cut down are the dying & damaged ones which could injure someone if they fell.  A jewel in rural Orillia, Ont.  I try to get there once or twice a year.  Thanks for taking the time.  Best, LM.

It looks that it is like going to 10 doctors and getinhg 10 points of view...;-))I think that each one that likes hiking in the forest (nature ) will a priory like this corner I like the B/W. Even though the colored version has merite, the B/W has more punch...with the play of light and dark tree trank.Very nice.

With such a wide range of views it is indeed hard, if not impossible, to please everyone.  So I try to please myself then weigh the comments to see if I am mainstream or on the edge.   The B&W version is still the one I prefer.  Good to have your visit & comment.  Best, LM.

hi Len.... your bw here inspired me to look more closely at all the nature and landscapes pictures in those categories, color ones as well, because your capture here so clearly shows how light works, and how light should be attended to, for rendering depth in landscape and nature. i don't do much nature, tho i want to, because i realized when i compared your shot and your use of light use of light to my own recent autumnal shot http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=14596333, i realized that i'm very interested in light and dof in nature. i'm grateful that your wonderful little picture brought so much to my attention ;-} dp

Your visit & comments are most appreciated.  Yes, the light here is the biggie, spotlighting the bridge and drawing the eye to that brighter area.  I favour B&W for people photos but lately have found it works well for me in some landscapes, this being one of them.  One thing I really like about PN is that we draw inspiration from each other.  We present and receive new ideas, new perspectives.  Keeps us interested & growing in our hobby.  Thanks for your thoughts.  Best, LM.

Agree with Pnina on "punch"

That you prefer the B&W version comes as no surprise to me.  You have provided much of the inspiration for 'testing' an image in B&W before I post it.  Thanks for that.  And thanks for your visit.  Best, LM.

Your constructive critique\comment will be gratefully received. Best, LM.

Wow, great input on this shot with some very valid opinions.  In spite of the pleasing warmth of the original, I really like the timeless quality of the B/W, the beautiful detail and tones.  Excelllent composition to frame the bridge with trees and to pull the eye in with light...  Mike

Thanks for stopping by.  It was a no-brainer for me when I first viewed the B&W conversion.  Some are drawn to the original but I just love all the gray tones presented here.  Best, LM.

The composition is great, and I much prefer the B&W -- color gets in the way of really seeing the foreground tree, the leaves, and the bridge, IMO.