Weekly Competition #186 - Black and White Landscapes Competition

Thanks all for a very high quality competiton and a high entry count (I did beat that Darlene). I'd like to say just how INCREDIBLY TOUGH it was sorting out a winner and the podiums. It was a very close call on all decisions and if you ask me in five minutes time I might change my mind. I had to distinguish between some very, very good entries and in doing so I have had to employ my personal taste and how the entries look on my screen (which might differ somewhat from another screen). I still have the L plates on my camera so if you disagree with some of my analysis then you're most probably right.


Barge On The Sea

I like the simplicity of the scene but I think it could be improved by the barge being less central and the sea being level. I did say I wasn’t looking for seascapes and the image isn’t black and white, so I’m afraid it is off topic.

The Loch

A classic looking Rockies view and extremely well photographed. The composition is excellent, I find the scene really well balanced. The snow bank to the left and the winding loch draws the viewer into the scene. The patches of snow separate the mountain from the deep tones of the sky, the bare rock face is full of detail. The lighting is great and the tonal range impressive. I can’t imagine a better moment to take this shot. The trees to the right seem to be shying away from the water but I‘m sure the verticals are correct, so that‘s just a curiosity. This picture deserves to be viewed very, very large.

P.S I didn’t mention him.

Windgather Rocks

This looks a bleak and exposed location. I like the simple, effective composition with the crag leading out from the bottom left. The rocks are interesting with the cross banding. I do find the sky just a little bright in parts, maybe an ND grad filter or its pp digital equivalent is required. But I like this moody shot very much. Rugged is the word and this shot captures that feeling very well. It makes me want to visit the Peak District.

Gunner Crag

Another enticing location. I really like the range of tones in this scene and the detail to be found in the snow which is a result of very good use of nice light. The conditions lead to a clarity in this scene. Compositiom wise, the footprints in the foreground are a bit distracting, I would prefer them either to lead me into the scene or to be excluded. My eye is drawn to the interesting tree and I think I might be tempted to bit closer and really make that the star of the show. There is a little bit of dust spotting to be done. Overall, a very enjoyable photograph.

Landscape of the Desert

The tree to the left is very interesting and another shadow breaks up the foreground nicely. The scenery beyond the fence is spectacular and extensive. For that reason I like the inclusion of the fence, it makes me wonder why it is there. Whose desert is this? I’m not so keen on the feature right at the bottom. I think it’s a wooden beam. But the photo was taken at f5.6 and 1/1000sec so I’m going to imaging it’s a bit of road and the scene was grabbed from the window of a greyhound bus, which is a romantic notion but probably nonsense.

Beaver Meadow Cemetery

There’s a nice mood to this scene. The snow together with the flat sky gives a very cold feel. I like the central tree. It’s a bit of a shame that the bare tree to the left competes with the conifer, chainsaw required. But of course this scene is all about the headstones beyond. They are very distinct but the jaunty angles add to the very natural feel of this setting. A nice place. I would like to be buried somewhere like this, but not just yet.

Sky Writing

I like the tones on the photo, the way the shadowed trees contrast with the snow and the sky is interesting. The vapour trails have a vertical looking aspect top them so it does look like an X (or perhaps a Y. I’m not sure of I like the trails or not. I think it would have been nice to fit in more of the right hand tree, or none of it, but of course I can’t see what is either side.

Decorated Tree

It’s a great tree, very architectural in its bare form and the snow really lets it stand out from its surroundings. In black and white there is an ‘infra red’ feel to the twiggy branches. That’s an observation rather than a negative and I think it would be a close call between this and the colour version. It would be nice for a little more space above the tree. The scene does appear quite slanted to me and looking at the large version the telegraph pole to the right is some way off vertical. Apologies if I’m wrong on this.

Trafford Centre Dome

Although I was more thinking of rural landscapes I didn’t exclude urban landscapes. However, I don’t really regard a shot like this as an urban landscape. I would personally categorise it as architectural. For a landscape I would really expect a broader view with several buildings. I like the controlled highlights, the tonal range and the framing. I think it’s a very good architectural shot, but I find it difficult to judge alongside the other entries.

The Lost Cloud

A nice idea. A lone bird shaped-ish cloud. Maybe a pigeon. To me the photo lacks a bit of punch and I would prefer the cloud a little less central. To be honest this is not one of my favourites of yours, but it’s something a bit different and fun.

The Devil’s Desk

This is a very nicely balanced shot of some very nicely balanced rocks. I like the texture of the foreground rocks, the tones and level of detail. The lighting is excellent. The viewpoint is dramatic and I like the framing. Focal length 20.62mm, that’s precise. You have an impressive ability to make Germany look like anywhere on the planet, it’s a good way to save money on holidays. The devil has planted a little garden on his desk, maybe he’s not so bad.

Parklife

Black and white is a good choice here and the treatment is good. The dead, bleached tree stands out very nicely from its surroundings and the choice of lighting enhances this. The composition is a little central and I would prefer to see more of the right hand tree in shot, or none of it. Or perhaps a slightly closer view. There’s some crazy exif data there. I can’t make what the small rectangle is bottom left.

Eiger and Monch

I really like this dramatic, low-key scene and I love how it looks in black and white with the mountain faces piercing the deep blacks. Foreground shadow and sky merge and this enhances the overall mood. I would have preferred a bit more space around the mountains, particularly the right hand peak which is too tight to the top of the frame. Very good study.

View From The Hill

I like this composition, imagining the journey through the gate and along the curving path. A very nice lead in. Details are sharp throughout. It’s a bit hazy in the distance and that is well counteracted by the strong foreground. I really like the glint from the wet path. There is I think a slight slant to the scene, I would prefer the gatepost perfectly vertical. All very England’s black and white pleasant land, maybe.

Black Rock Cottage

Another lovely composition with snow and wonderful clarity. What an amazing location for the cottage, I wonder if it is inhabited. The lighting provides just the right amount of shadow to add definition to the scene, particularly the foreground, but the shaded front of the cottage has been well controlled. The footprints leading to this remote cottage is a nice touch. A good example of a how a building made from natural materials enhances a landscape.

Cold Metal

Boy that does look cold. I like the idea for the shot, the snow and frost on the metal really does sum up cold. As a landscape entry however, I would prefer to see a wider view. You mention that the line is miles long and this is what I’d like to see for this competition, the rails stretching into the distance. I am curious as to your choice of camera settings - f32 and ISO1600. I also think this would look good much closer still, with less depth of field.

Watching The Day End

I like the idea of this. The silhouetted birds on the frame look really good, the foreground water and the silhouetted houses work very well together. I like the plane. Good contrasts. I do have a thing about verticals and I think there is a slant here that is better corrected, especially when the frame is such in important party of the shot.

Winter On The Hill

I like ‘em. And the decision just to include one of them works very well. The snow works very well against the leaden sky and the flock of birds really elevates this shot for me. I would prefer to see the full height of the trees though - this could possibly be achieved by walking further up the foreground slope. There are a few dust spots which detract particularly from the pristine foreground and the sky is a little noisy. Very effective shot though.

Lassen trees

I don’t know what a Lassen landscape means but I like this simple, well worked idea involving a limited number of strongly contrasting elements. I like the bold ratio of sky to foreground and the lens flare. I can’t get much of a sense of scale here - I’m not sure whether the trees are small or deeply buried in snow. I think bold is the word for this shot.


Dry Stone Wall, Helvellyn

I think it‘s clever to resist the sweeping vistas, instead concentrating on a smaller part of the landscape. I think the natural textures here are great and another example of how manmade structures can enhance the landscape. The ladder leads from the bottom right straight into the centre of the scene inviting us to explore the slopes beyond. The tones are harmonious and I love the patches of light playing on the hills. This is an inviting and enticing scene. At once a perfect teaser trailer and a statement in its own right.

A Long Time Until Summer

A great idea. A beach hut shouts summer and snow on a beach is as wintery as it gets, so this is a great contrast. Excellent composition, the footprints all over the beach add interesting texture, the fence leads the eye, the picnic table adds to the forlorn feel, the subtle tones of the beach huts work a treat together and the sky is dramatic. I imagine this looks great in colour too. Really good.

Lake District

A classic looking Lakeland scene. I like the deep black of the foremost hillside against the misty layers of hills beyond and the bright godbeams. The composition works very well with the ratio of the land to dramatic sky. My preference would be to reduce the noise in the sky. I’d be also tempted to take the exposure down a half stop or so to really allow the god beams to stand out. Is it black and white? There seems a bluish cast.

Morning in Mountains of Caucasus

That’s quite some view and the square format suits it perfectly. The interlocking spurs form a very photogenic pattern. I like the foreground darks contrasting with the mist, which adds so much to this scene. However, from half way up I do find the scene a bit bright and lacking in contrast. Obviously the strong haze doesn’t help in this regard. I’d be tempted to take the exposure down quite a bit - two stops, maybe more. This is a very good scene but I think there’s potential for a great photo here.

Canada’s Vast Prairies…Go On and On

You’re right. I do like this example. Clearly the implication of black and white conversion has been thought about in this scene and the contrasts here are wonderful. I would have been tempted to make the hay bales prominent in the foreground, but this is a much smarter idea. The different tones break the scene into many layers, each very distinct from the next. The way the bales stand out from the field is excellent. I even like the half land half sky composition as the distinct band of cloud breaks the latter into further layers. And all those layers add up to a huge sense of space.

Rubbish

A provocative idea. Behind the rubbish bin this is a really pleasant, bucolic scene. And of course the incongruity of the rubbish bin makes a strong statement. There’s no clue as to why it’s there, no context for it. The landscape behind is of course sculpted by man’s intervention so the photo says to me we can create something of beauty and we have the capacity to ruin it, which side of the road do you chosse? At least the rubbish is contained in the bin. The composition is spot on to every last detail. I like this a lot, but I’d like it more without the HDR look. I’m just not a fan.

Aerial View Of Southern Greenland

A really good choice of subject as it’s a view that Joe Bloggs doesn’t get to see. A spectacular landscape and I think black and white is absolutely right for the highly contrasting elements in this scene. I like the way the three glaciers converge and there is plenty of detail in those glaciers. The reflections from the ice are a bit overbright in parts and there is a lot of haze. Do you have a polariser for these situations? Taking the exposure down a couple of stops would I think bring out the mountains without too much detriment to the already darker areas. A small bit of window frame has crept in bottom right so a little touch up is required. Any chance of smuggling me on to the flight deck? This scenery is just awesome, super double awesome with knobs on.

Posts In Snow

Another snow scene. They do look good in black and white. I like the simplicity of this scene after a heavy snowfall, it has serenity. The shadows cast by the posts add interest. I do find some of the reflections from the snow just a little too bright here and there.


All Alone

What a lovely scene. Simple, very well composed, a nice lead in line and plenty of interest. The stone ruin enhances the landscape and tells us that this is for the hardy - too blooming cold and windswept, best left to the ponies these days. It’s difficult to get the right level of contrast for grassland (well I find it difficult) and here seems just right. This is a good conversion, the contrast gives a nice texture to the grass, but still retains a natural feel. The sky is interesting and detailed too.

On The Bottom

I can’t work out the title, but no matter this is another really good scene. Another simple, effective composition with an evocative ruin. One could visit this location a hundred times before finding this kind of light. The sky is fantastic and the god beams falling just behind the ruin really make this picture. The processing has got that HDR feel (my apologies if it isn’t) and although I really, really like this photo I would like it even more with a more traditional look. That’s not a criticism, its just my taste.

Shadows in The Snow

The tundra of North Lincolnshire. That’s a lot of snow. The long shadows is a good idea and I bet it works great in colour but for b/w I think it needs a little more oomph, maybe a darker sky and darker shadows. I’m not that keen on the brush to the right. My eye is drawn to the trees on the horizon and I want to see more of the expansive snowfield. I really like the idea of a vast and mostly featureless landscape and I’m wondering what the results of a few steps forward would look like to really bring out that vastness.

Peyto Lake Panorama

What a fantastic view. A glacier feeding a wolf shaped lake amid very impressive peaks. Rockies? Must be. The banding in the rock strata has been beautifully brought out by the processing - the contrast seems just right. I bet this knocks the spots off the coloured version. I like the clear sky, it really focuses the attention on the mountains. I like pine forest on the lower slopes which really give this scene a sense of scale. The lighting is great and the air is clear so we can see the range in the far distance. I don’t know if there was a way of avoiding the balcony creeping into shot bottom left. Even though that means losing some of the top of the glacier I’d be tempted to crop that out.

Rothley Castle Battlements

A nice idea for a simple, effective composition with the castle rising from the moor. It’s a good sky too. Unfortunately, I don’t think the execution is right for this shot. The foreground rocks are sharp but from the midground onwards the scene is very soft. The castle is the focal point so needs to be sharp. I note from the exif data that you went for 1/500 sec at f5.6 for a focal length of 18mm. So there’s plenty of scope there for a much greater depth of field without risking camera shake. I think there’s a bit of a tilt on the scene too. like the mood of the shot though.

Trees In The Landscape Silhouette

What a bold shot. A large black foreground with a few small trees and a hazy, indistinct sky and the scene has a flat, compressed feel. The exif is interesting ISO 1000, f5.6 1/8000 second. I wouldn’t have thought of trying that and I‘m sure it‘s not what the textbooks say. I love it. This has an other worldly feel to it. The trees seem to be struggling to survive in the harshest of environments. It could be the surface of Mercury (with trees). A very distinct shot.

Snowy Field

I like the idea of shooting into the sun and silhouetting the bare architectural form of the trees. I like the flare from the sun. I do think it work better with a single tree or with clear spaces between the trees. Also, the snow has been a little lost in grey tones. It’s very difficult to shoot into the sun but retain foreground detail so maybe it would be better to simplify the composition by eliminate that foreground detail and just leave distinct features to be silhouetted.

The Quiraing, Isle of Skye

Ancient looking hills. I bet you could get really caught out by a change of weather in a place like this. I like the way the land undulates away from the steep escarpment to the sea, it really draws the eye through the photo. I like the use of shadow too, providing marked contrast. The shadows almost seem to tumble down the hills and that helps in drawing the eye too. I like the deep shadow but I find the contrast in this scene a bit too much. there are areas next to the track where highlights are a little blown. Also the highlighted edge of the hill looks unnatural against the sky, which seems a little flat and out of sorts with the land. Great scenery though.

Hill Top Track In Winter

I like track through the forest shots and the composition with the winding path is very nice. The frost is a little bit lost against the bright sky. I wouldn’t have really noticed it without the title. I guess it’s a hazy or cloudy day whereas a deep blue sky would be better for making a feature of the frosted branches. Nice shot but I don’t think the conditions are conducive to really bring out the best in this scene.

Road To Rhodes

The panoramic format suits this very well. I like the form of the old trees and the dark tones of the trunks which contrast nicely with the other elements of the scene. And I like the way that further trees in the distance mark the road curving back round, helping the sense of journey in this shot. The upper branches stand out nicely against the hillside. The depth of field allows all the trees to be in focus. Nicely done.

Alien Landscape

A strange place indeed. I think the composition is great and again the eye is drawn to the slope of the landscape from right to the distance hills to the left. There’s a nice range of tones and texture in the rocks with the caves providing some scattered blacks, which works well. The aperture is enough to get the conical rocks in focus. This is nowadays a tourist landscape - what a shame about the hotel, they could have built it a bit further away. It would be nice to get rid of the railings and leave the place to be explored in its natural state, A few tourists would get injured or killes but a reasonable price for authenticity. Nice shot.

A Luminous Landscape

Great light, apt title. A very satisfying composition with great detail brought out and a subtle range of tones in the light passing across the hills. I really like this shot, it‘s an excellent moment and clearly and expert eye for use of light. I think the processing is bang on here but it‘s toned and for that reason rules it out of contention.

Dune

Simple, terrific composition, strong diagonal, precisely worked out. Great tones and textures too. I like the shadows in the sand and from the bottom of the fence. The contrast is just right to get texture into the grass and one can feel the movement from the wind. For me this is another example where focusing on elements of a landscape tells you a lot about what you can’t see. I like this a lot.

Two Of The Famous Rila Lakes

I’ve not heard of them I’m afraid and googling lead me to Riga Lake, who is on Facebook and sounds a very nice chap. He lives in Nairobi. I then realised my mistake and found them in Bulgaria. Great, rugged scenery, nice composition with the jagged peak dominating the lake. I like the dark foreground tones and the light on the hillside. The sky is a little bland. Whilst the jagged peak is sharp the scenery beyond is a little soft. Again I feel there is scope here for greater depth of field without risking camera shake. Great scenery though.

Fences

I like the composition with the road on a third line. Good use of light as this shot is hugely improved by the shadow of the fence on the road. The low sun gives a nice texture too to the road surface which becomes very evident when the photo is viewed large. The wide angle also becomes much more apparent when viewed large. A well spotted opportunity.

Winner: BAJ; Drystonewall

Second: Womble; The Loch

=Third: Geordie 1; Dune
Puma; On The Bottom
Blythman; A Long Time Until Summer

Highly Commended:
Axelluther
Fiftypoundpdog
Davidtrout
Judithann
Pentaxboyo
Stopher
Bforbes
Jyrkira
Divad
Vonbatcat

When I looked at this fine collection of images I thought how difficult it was going to be for the judge to separate some of them. Clearly pentax Users are well up to the mark with monochrome, so well done everyone.

Many thanks for the fine judging and congratulations to a fine winner!

Congrats to BAJ and to the runner-ups Womble, Geordie01, Puma, And Blythman.

Thanks for the comments and excellent judging, you had a tough one.

Excellent judging of a very strong collection of images. Thank you for my second place amongst this strong selection. The perfect result

K.

Conngatulations to BAJ, Womble, the joint third places and all the HC's. It must have been a difficult one to judge, I thought the entries overall were the best I have seen in any of the comps since I joined.

Well done Dr Orloff for excellent comments on all the entries, and for picking the winners out of a very strong field..

The mention you made about mine needing to be taken a stop lower is noted, photographing snow from high altititude is always a bit tricky, especially with haze thrown into the mix. Unfortunately I only get to take pictures on about one in five trips over Greenland, it's often cloudy or hazy. A polariser is not really an option as the windows are laminated so a polariser produces strange blobs of colour. Saying that, I haven't really tried using one for mono, I will give it a go on the way to Washington in a few weeks, weather permitiing!

Congratulations to BAJ and all who did very well here, and what a task Adrian! Well done.

I agree with all the above comments, it was a classy competition and very well judged by Dr Orloff. Congratulations to BAJ and the other podium places and thanks for my HC.
Not a bad result for the North East of England, two Northumbrians in joint 3rd and two from Co Durham in the commendeds.
David

A terrific piece of review and judging from a great choice of subject.

Congratulations to BAJ for the win, Womble for the coveted second place, all the runners up, the commended and everyone else for a fantastic set of images.

Glyn

Well done BAJ, a very worthy winner and one of my favourite entries. Congrats to placed entries and HC's. It has been an absolute pleasure viewing all the excellent entries.

Thanks for all your hard work in comments and judging Dr O, an unenviable task, accomplished admirably.

Great selection of images. Well done BAJ!

Congratulations to DrO' that was one major judging session done incredibly well.

Us Pentaxians sure know our monochrome landscapes, this could have been an exhibition in it's own right.

Congratulations to BAJ and the other winners. I notice Blyth seems to be a bit of a hot spot for B&W landscapes.

That was a great subject well judged, DrOloff. Thank you. Let's hope the number of entries continue to rise for the weekly comp.

BTW, you'r correct Peyto Lake is the Rockies, between Banff and Jasper

congratulations baj that was my choice as well
thanks to dr o as well
howay the lads

Excellent comp,brilliant judging and some amazing B&W photos - not my preferred medium but fun to try and test against the best.

The rectangle is odd - must be something to do with the conversion as I took the original down from about 3.5mb as suggested and that`s when the exif seems to get mangled too.
Sorry about that - not on the original !

Well done to BAJ and the other contenders - my day will come !

Tony

Congratulations to BAJ and the other placings/HC's. Hats off to DrOrloff who really had his work cut out on this one! I'm humbled to be included as a HC amongst such strong contenders...particularly as it's my first ever entry! I'm determined it won't be the last!

Regards
Chris

WOW 42 incredible entires , my hat off to you Dr. Orloff , superber judging. The desert is Arizona, US. This a rest area, off the highway. The fence is there to discourage anyone to wonder off into the desert as there are poison snakes. Yes, that is a wooden beam on the side of the road. What a sharp eye you have.

Congratulation to baj for first place. Well, done to Womble for second, all the runners up, commented and everyone else for a great competition.

Congrats to BAJ...to come out a winner in this batch of photos is amazing, so I tip me hat to ya!

Now to the Doc. I have read through your comment to all of us and what a fantastic job you have done. In the prairie farm scene, I did several photo shoots, many with the hay bales in the foreground, but when in the B&W, this one showed the textures and the vastness of the grey ranges....so it was chosen for you. Thank you for the HC.

Also, Doc, congrats on beating Darlene, especially sence she challanged you to it!!!

congratulations baj and to the doc for the fantastic job you did here well done to both and every one who entered great fun, oh and thanks for my joint place very happy with that

Great comp. It was fantastic to see such great photos and a real learning "kick" for me.

Well done, dr.

no subject yet for this week?

Well I have 4 days off from this morning to find a good shot, once we find out the new subject.

Well done Dr. O. Really difficult task with a fabulous set of pictures. Well deserved winner for BAJ, and congrats to all mentioned in despatches.

Much appreciate my critique

Good Morning and I apologise for the delay in responding, thank you for selecting me as winner, I was pleasantly surprised as there are so many good entries.

It's at F32 /1600 iso I set it at these as I wanted to get it a sharp as I could,to show the frost and snow at it's best, I agree I could have done with turning to the left and show a lot more line, the anti shake must have been doing overtime with the amount of shivering I was doing at the time, thank you for giving it time on the competition.