"Steadfast"

I arrived before sunrise only to be greeted with wind, intermittent rain and cloudy conditions. Not what I had hoped for! What to do? I selected a composition with a steadfast tree and some rocks. I also needed some swaying branches and grasses. Then I closed down the lens to F11 to help produce a 15 second exposure. Even the clouds are on the move in the background. The effect seemed to work better after a b&w conversion. Please click the image for a Larger preview and I would love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for your impressions. The Larger preview is available!

A moving image Mark, the composition looks good, and the motion adds the interest. I'd like to see the tree have some black/be darker overall, right now there seems to be a lot of mid tone gray. Oh and if you're not averse to cloning.. that fence post can go :) Great job making the best of the conditions!

Hey Floris, Thanks for the feedback. I will need to re-process this to get the tree right. It is too flat at the mid-tone level. I missed the post and I am the clonenator, so it will be gone post haste. I think based upon your helpful input, this image could be improved considerably. I will re-post with a newer version soon! I appreciate your insight!

Here's the revised, the preview should update soon, but until then, take a look. Thanks Floris!

A wonderful bw image you nail it within the confines of the elements, congrats rek

Hello Mark, this is a very nice composition but not enough contrasts to my taste and the choice of tones is too soft.

I saw that you posted a second one but I see that you enhanced the highlights but I would go for enhancing the shadows.

I upload of version of what I mean.

Hope this helps.

Regards!

I love the comp and the weather-created sense of motion, and I think it works really well in black and white; but I find myself agreeing with Yannik, I think it lacks contrast. There is a lot of mid-tone gray here. What about a little bit more curves adjustment; just to punch it up a skosh? Well done, Amigo! Cheers! Chris

Thanks Richard, Yannik and Chris! I think you are on to something. The "screen" version is definitely leaning towards flat and lacking a well defined black point. You may notice that much of my work (it has been suggested many times) will often appear lacking all of the punch it could have. I basically prepare my images for print and believe it or not, flatter becomes punchier with the paper I use. If I crank the blacks even a little, the shadows become dark abysses. I could add contrast to my web versions I guess, but I am not sure I can keep up with all the variations. KISS is the motto I live by. Another reason to print flatter and brighter is because I know that most people will view the prints in lower than optimum lighting. In fact, when I resize for print, I apply one more pass with the shadow/highlight adjustment (only about 2 or 3 on the shadows). I sincerely appreciate the feedback!