Tyne Bridge Mono

Hi all a shot from last week of the tyne bridge had a go in silver efex pro with this one CC welcome as always shot with the K10D and 18-55mm kit lens at 18mm 30 seconds.

Works for me Mal

It's very striking and I think it works really well. Being very picky, one reflection, just off the end of the right hand jetty, looks very bright compared to the others

Exellent image.

Thanks Gents im really happy with this one, Barrie you are right about the blown reflection in the water will have a look at it this evening.

This is really good mono work Mal. Keen eyed Barrie spotted that tiny sliver of blown highlight, its easily fixed.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Crying out for colour!

Sorry Mal, no offence but here is a non positive comment. There is too much photo graphics style used yet respect there are those that love spending time micro pixelising the world of photography because these tools are now being bought. I like the shot itself but could be less ` flash` toned.

Cheers, Patrick

This is a very good viewpoint, I love the placing of the various subject elements around underneath the closer bridge, and the railings right in the foreground works beautifully. The starbursts are brilliant as well .

The choice of the mono processing is a personal one - I agree with others above that it works well and has been done very well indeed - nice deep blacks and nicely controlled contrast.

I have sympathy for walkeja's cry for colour there - I've done that myself a few times as I'm a confirmed colour fanatic - of course a colour version would likely work very well also, and it could be done as a valid alternative option, but I do think this mono version stands up very well as an image on its own.

Magicman .... come on, what are you saying here? It seems contradictory - there is 'too much photo graphics style' (do you mean this photo is in that style?) but also you 'respect those that love spending time micro-pixellising' .. (are you saying this is micro-pixellising?) ... and what the heck is 'flash toned' - do you mean with a flash white balance, because that would hardly be very relevant in a mono image? Or do you mean the whites are very clean and there's no colour cast? Do you think there should be some colour cast in that case? Personally I'm not a fan of any duo-tone type stuff, but it may have a place here ...?

I feel you need the opportunity to offer more information and clarity on your critisicm, because as it stands it hardly helps the photographer nor provides any real validity to your own points.

And the colour version for comparison

Yep, mono was best probably mainly because of the sky ... If it was earlier in the night with some lovely deep colour in the sky then the colour might nudge ahead.

Nigel, let me clarify my comments to help you. I accept & respect there are some people who really like to `pixel peep` or perhaps micro assess photographs. However, its clear that process divides opinion amongst all photographers using digital but is probably a core element of work flow for those with a technical bias. There are lots of photo shop systems that aid us offering from light touch (minimal) to graphic engineering ( super heated) . So it remains a platform beyond the photo although where you stop depends on time & taste. I offered my view, that is it; sorry if it does not accord with yours. The photograph taken by Mal I like, but has been subject to a specialist module he listed. Beyond, that I am not sure why you should pick me up either its my view being a novice with DSLR may be reflects a different perspective too.

Just add I really like the colour version

Magicman, thanks for the response to my questions .... I don't see that there is any conflict in opinions about processing or pixel peeping ... I was just unsure what it was exactly you were saying about the photo itself .. it seemed contradictory. It is perfectly valid and ok to disagree and not like something that others do - I'm often the very one taking the off-tangent view, and the place would be fairly dull if we all agreed with each other about photographs all the time!

I think you're right about how far processing should go .... we often hear from people that an image looks 'over-processed', certainly some of mine are seen that way by some others .. although there's not usually any concrete reason or specific process identified as to what has caused the 'over-processed look'. And these things are very subjective ... for example in my current thread 'Handfast Point & the Pinnacles', one member specifically described the colour as 'great' ... and another said the some colours were 'queer' ! Of course, colour is subject to monitor and viewing software variations, so we all see things a little differently anyway .. (The colours are great bye the way
:mrgreen

Anyway, back to this image ... mono conversion is something that can be achieved by many different methods - some dedicated processes like the one here, or others using more traditional photoshop toning and de-saturation appraches, colour filters and contrast controls for example. I guess any of them could be overdone. Mals shot here (the mono) has (to me) an impressive looking, clean, gleaming quality, which I feel suits the subject and brings out the best in it (having now also see a colour version to compare). Are you seeing something different, less positive in the processing style?

Nigel your very knowledgeable ( I admit my limits) and clearly comprehend the issues both generically and specifically on this photo. I prefer the colour version as the mono is more ` art` to me but heck what do I know .. just enjoying learning more on the way - no sure but I saw your photos there and felt they were nearer the ` real ` end of the spectrum of enhancing. Anyway, thanks for the discussion. Cheers, Patrick.

ps One day I will post more photos , only put 2 up for the first time on another topic - to get feedback on IQ. The lead member JVS I believe highlighted my new K5ii was, unbeknown to me, only installed with 1.0 firmware - now I upgraded with a lot of help from Pentax forum members.