Red lady

This is somewhat experimental for me. I don't normally like mixing B/W and colours in

one frame and I also normally use good contrasted scenes.

 

I have chosen here to highlight the small figure by maintaining the red coat in a B/W surrounding and I have at the same time chosen to decrease significantly the contrast of

the trees, in order to make them less prominent but still leaving them in the frame to

show the depth of the scene.

 

Result: a failed "fade picture of a red lady" or a somewhat more interesting "portrait of a

red lady in the forest". What do you think ?

Anders, contrary to you I do sometimes mix b&w and colour in the same image because it sometimes adds to the creative value or more exact helps to convey what one wants to show. And why not, since it's easy to do in this age of ever improving software and it's just another tool to be used. Having said that I still feel it has to be used sparingly because it's very easy to go over the top and create just a cheap effect.

Coming to your photo I think that here you shouldn't have because of two reasons.

1.The strengt of this image lies in the smallness of that rather lonely figure compared to those high trees. The light at the end of that footpath sets her off more than enough to draw the attention you want her to have.

2.However an important part of you image she is, she is just a small part of your image,leaving her coat coloured will draw way too much attention. The use of red in a partly coloured image therefore must be carefully weighed.

Still, it's a technique that's worthwhile to experiment with. Regards, Ton

Ander, almost forgot something. I think you made a mistake fiddling with the contrat of those trees, especcially those at the right.

Ton, thanks for your thoughtful remarks. I must say that I agree with both of your points. You comment on the prominence of the lady in the scene against the light forest behind is right. This is not the place to play with colours. Concerning the contrast I lowered it for the whole scene but it is surely to the right one notice it. I'll go back to a normal B/W and upload the result. Thanks

Anders, I'll look out for it. But like I said, it can be a usefull technique

Ton I have uploaded a B/W and a colour version in "Recent uploads". Luckily the lady does not change whatever I do to her inside photoshop ! ! Thanks again for your comments

This lonely walk scene captivates and intrigues. The red coat balances the overpowering trees shifting the attention from the background to the subject. It echoes the story of little riding hood and has a somewhat sinister overtone in this rendition.