Cold Fingers (Larger View Available)

First tme out after illness for what seems an age! We ventured out to

Snowdonia National Park, and I escaped for a few hours with my

camera.........oh joy! It wouldn't have mattered if I came home with a

blank memory card, just getting out was reward enough. As it

happened though I did like the results of a few shots. I have been a

bit obsessional about B & W of late, so I thought I would post 2

similar images ( 1 B & W and 1 Colour) and try and get some

feedback on preference and the perceived mood and atmosphere. I

stress that the images are not quite the same in composition, but

taken a few minutes apart from slightly different perspectives. Your

thoughts and comments are always appreciated. Thank You.

I like them both Alf, but I think I prefer this one. The scene lends itself to mono, but the tones and clarity are great. I also prefer the simpler composition. Pat.

The angular foreground lines and the separation in the sky off the mountains make this the stronger image.  Perhaps consider pushing the contrast a bit more, especially the upper half.

You have awaited wonderful lighting creating great mood, winter mood, mountain mood, you name it! There is a perspective and depth besides the amazing mood! The toning I find suitable and moody also, IE one of the elements that creates the mood!

Best regards, Alf!

PDE

The composition changes may be only slight, but I think they make a very large difference in the resulting photograph.  The backgrounds are very similar; it's the foregrounds that are so different.  This one is cleaner and more "simple."  The introduction of vegetation, with a whole bunch of stems that obscure the foreground rocks to some extent makes it more complicated, and the color adds yet another complicating factor.  I really like the many black rocks under the water here, with some others above the water and catching a bit of contrasting white snow.  This aspect is much less pronounced in your color version.  Overall, I think the shapes are much more central to this scene than is color, and that's why my preference is for the B&W.  Minor note:  the diagonal rocks in both lower corners are great; everything in the frame seems to take me to the largest rock in the center.  It's an easy frame to look at and enjoy.

It is very nice to have a foreground, middle and then the mountain ridge. Well Done.

Ben

This may be perverse but - I prefer the B+W composition but the presence of colour. The reason I think colour would lift this picture is that the centre foreground lacks structure, and colour in the submerged stones of Idwal would add interest. You've escaped or worked round the usual problem of Cwm Idwal of having a very bright sky over Devil's Kitchen - was this early in the day?

The longitudinal ice-laden rocks on each side in the foreground lead my eye to the center of the image complimented by the beautiful mountain and the sky. The tones too are wonderful and as such my eyes tend to linger longer for this image compared to its colour counterpart. Both are lovely images though.

Worth staying out in the cold, Alf. Best regards!   -   Lester

Outstanding presentation, well seen in B&W.

Grigoriy

I'm with Lester, the foreground rocks do a marvelous job of leading our eyes into the scene and the b/w tones accentuates the cold and barren landscape.  Excellent work on both versions...  Mike

Glad to hear you're feeling well.

The composition in this version is nothing short of brilliant Alf! For this scene I think the B&W gets the nod from me though it may be more the composition that I liked better all in all. Glad to here you're back in the land of the living. Getting out in an area like this is probably the best medicinf there is!

All the best,
Neil

Hi Alf,

  Beautiful b/w scene with wonderful composition, clarity & b/w tones.  Take care, Patsy

WOW, what a great image

I see two images of the same form,In the foreground the lines all lead to the large rock in the middle,likewise, in the background the lines all run to the centre of the mountains.

Love how the clouds follow the line of the mountains

Captivated by the fine detail in the mountains

The difference between the predominate dark foreground & the bright background is a very pleasing contrast to the eye

Finally,for ten minutes,sat & just enjoyed absorbing the beauty of your image. Of course I like my scenery on the rugged side never tire of it.. Expect you knowi if you ever left this area you would be leaving Shang La raw.( I know,I know it is spelled incorrectly, but you know what I mean) Best Regards-Ross PS Hope you are recovered from your illnes

Hi Alf........2 very good compositions, but I lean a little more towards the b/w. To me the good tonal range of light and dark bands gives a lot of depth to the image. I also have taken to the b/w format but it is still a work in progress. Its nice to view images that give ideas and inspiration. Well done. Regards, Bob.

Alf,this large view almost makes me feel to be there in your shot point,the foreground clarity with those two diagonal left-right rocks lead the eye to central glacier lake and after to this nice natural amphitheatre.I like me too the bw composition that shows all we need for this scene.

sincerely compliments

Hi Alf. Once again really impressive work in B/W. you certainly get to some breathtaking places. Great tones, light and exposure!

Best wishes. Sarah.

Hi Alf

Although I usually prefer a B & W image I have to say in this case I prefer the other one so will leave my comment there.

Jacqueline

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful comments.  It is interesting to read you preferences, I wondered if this B & W version could have been perceived as being a bit boring, but you have put my mind at rest there! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

JEFF 

Thanks you for your observations and useful suggestions, much appreciated! 
I'm not sure if pushing the contrast further will result in a grainy sky, but I will give it a try.

Cheers Jeff! 

Alf 

PIERRE 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback,much appreciated! 

At this location it is just a matter of waiting a short time for the right lighting. The clouds and low mist that seem to circle the perimeters of the old glacier, and inevitably cover the brightness of the sun at some point.

Cheers Pierre! 

Alf 

STEPHEN 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and useful comparisons, much appreciated! 

You are correct I covered only about 3 yards to take up a different perspective, and therefore the resulting foreground change is apparent.

My first thoughts regarding the B & W image was that it may appear boring , but clearly a more straight forward composition seems to be more appealing. It might be of interest to you that this B & W image was processed using Nike Silver Efex, and it was during processing that the submerged rocks became much more pronounced. 

Thanks again Stephen! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

BEN 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and kind words! 

A bit like a good novel, with a beginning, a middle and an end! : - ) 

Best Regards 

Alf 

JOHN 

Sincere Thanks for your interest and observations, much appreciated!

Not perverse at all, in fact to some degree I did anticipate the kind of mixed preference that you have indicated, but I thought posting 2 relatively similar images for comments to 2 aspects was perhaps more concise and less time consuming than uploading 4.

The time was late afternoon approx 3.00 pm and the perceived lighting was arrived at by two things. The clouds and low mist that seem to continually circle Idwal, and the addition of a PP grad filter in Adobe Lightroom 3.

Best Regards 

Alf 

LESTER 

Many Thanks for your thoughtful feedback, much appreciated! 

The relatively simple composition of the B & W seems to outweigh the attraction of colours so far, but its very useful to get feedback like this. 

It was my first time out for a while and I had to stand in the water to get this shot, but yes I agree, worth staying out in the cold for! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

GRIGORIY 

Many Thanks for your interest and positive feedback! Much appreciated.

Best Regards 

Alf 

MIKE 

Many Thanks for stopping by, I do value your well considered opinion. 

The composition was arrived at by moving around in the water (with my waterproof boots on)  and putting my eye to the viewfinder quite frequently , quite tricky really considering the slippery rocks, but the world is a different place through a viewfinder and particularly through a wide angle lens which serves to accentuate the angles (in this case in a positive way) 

Cheers Mike! 

Alf 

NEIL 

Many Thanks for your interest and encouraging feedback, much appreciated!  As you can read above in my reply to Mike, the composition was a matter of trial and error.

And yes indeed, getting out with my camera was better than anything a doctor could prescribe! 

Cheers Neil! 

Alf 

PATSY 

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words much appreciated! 

The air does seem to have a greater degree of clarity than at lower altitudes, and that makes quite a difference I think.

Cheers Patsy! 

Alf

ROSS

I think was both share a similar appreciation and taste in the beauty of raw rugged terrain.  And so it is really gratifying to read how much you enjoyed this one! 

I do know what you mean about Shangri La, this place is amongst my favourite locations, and the conditions are rarely the same on two consecutive visits.

I am feeling much better thank you! And just getting out with my camera has made a positive impact! 

Cheers Ross! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

BOB

Many Thanks for your thoughts and astute observations, much appreciated! I think the more simple composition of the B & W has proved to be more popular. 

I have noticed quite a few of your recent postings in fine B & W tones, it may be of interest to you that this was processed using NIK software, if you haven't tried it yet, its worth just having a play with the trial version. It certainly opened up a new box of tricks for me.

Best Regards 

Alf 

RADU 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and kind words, much appreciated! 

It is very gratifying to read that you feel right there as you view it, for ultimately that is my goal! 

It is very interesting to read your description as a "natural amphitheatre" as the location is the scene of an old glacier that in fact does take on the shape you describe. 

Cheers Radu!

Best Regards 

Alf 

SARAH

I am very fortunate to be located about 20 minutes from North Wales, and only 1 - 2 hours from Cumbria and Yorkshire , so I can get to most places within a reasonable time. 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and invaluable feedback Sarah! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

JACQUELINE

Thank you so much for your interest and comparative study.

I shall look forward to reading your comments on the colour version.

Best Regards 

Alf 

Both images are spectacular.  However, this one definitely gets my vote.  Aside from the fact that it is less "busy", the tonal contrasts really are dramatic.  I especially like the occasional coverings of snow on the rocks.

Keep 'em comin', Alf...

michael

looks like a great place to spend a few hours....i prefer this B&W comp over the color Alf....i find the color version a little to busy in the foreground

Big show!  Very impressive and attractive.  The radiating foreground with the spreading clouds make the scene moving or life.  Best Regards,

Many Thanks for taking the time to make comparisons and offer your thoughts, very much appreciated!

It is interesting to note the majority of people seem to like the less intricate or less "busy" foreground of this image.

And equally fascinating that both images were taken only 3 - 4ft apart from each other.

Cheers Michael!

Best Regards

Alf

THOM

It is indeed a wonderful place to spend a few hours, the scenery is fantastic and every turn of the head shows a new photo opportunity.

Your views referenece the foreground seem like the most popular consensus, yet some people also seem to like the intricacy of the colour version.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and invaluable feeedback Thom.

Best Regards

Alf

WANGHAN

Many Thanks I appreciate your feedback!

It is very gratifying to read that you detect an element of life in the movement of the clouds, sometimes a landscape can look just a bit too static.

Best Regards

Alf

Good day my friend.  I wish you a speedy recovery.  I think I shall go with this one, mainly due to the perspective.  I like how you framed this composition with the rocks pointing to the back ground.  The colour one has another point of view and it's not to be missed...Cheers!

B&W or colours? What a difficult choice. My preference goes to this one. Maybe because the sky offers a better "frame" here. At first sight I found the plants on the colour version attractive but in fact I prefer composition on this B&W version. The 100% mineral (apart from water) gives more impact, reinforcing the coldness and might of this scenery.

Congrats for this wonderful shot!

Regards,

Alain

Many Thanks my friend! I am now fully recovered and back with my camera at the ready!

Thank you also for your positive feedback and for stating your preferences.  The wide angle lens does seem to heighten the illusion of the rocks pointing to the background, its an effect that I use quite a lot as and when approriate.

Cheers!

Alf

ALAIN

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and invaluable positive feedback.

It is most helpful that you are able to identify and communicate the elements of both images that appealed to you.

The darker sky of this version was further accentuated by a PP Grad introduced in Adobe Lightroom, the rest of the processing was carried out using Nik Silver Efex Pro 2

Best Regards

Alf