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Thread: High-key monochrome with reflections

  1. #1

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    High-key monochrome with reflections

    This style is very different for me. Despite that, when I came upon this scene in 2010, I knew exactly the mood I wanted to create and this is it. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it happen when I post-processed the color version back then. You can imagine how pleased I am to finally bring my idea to life by converting it 2 1/2 years later to a monochrome.

    There are some leaves (is that the correct word?) in the bottom left area that are not reflections and have no reflections. Do those bother you? Any other critiques?


    High-key monochrome with reflections
    Last edited by Mike Buckley; 11th February 2013 at 04:16 PM.

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    Moderator Donald's Avatar
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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Buckley View Post
    You can imagine how pleased I was to finally bring my idea to life by converting it 2 1/2 years later to a monochrome.
    And so you should be. The perfect subject fro high-key treatment.

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Thank you, Donald!

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Dear Mike,

    yes I would take out the four leaves in the bottom left area. I would also try to soften the high-key of the water and background and leave some texture to give some depth to the picture. This should improve the contrast between the reals and the reflections.

    Cheers
    Andrea

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Hi Mike,

    In general I find it difficult to judge B&W. I like this one.
    I would try to clone out the leaves in the bottom. I think that the symmetrie in that part off the picture will benefit when cloned out.
    Maybe a tighter crop ?? Too much empty space now ??
    Just a few thoughts..
    Regards, Rudi

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Thanks to Andrea and Rudi for urging me to try improving the photo by removing reeds in the bottom left area.

    Andrea: There is no texture in the water because it is as smooth as glass. There were some water lilies floating on the surface that I removed because they were distracting. More important, I envisioned the current look that conveys a sense of emptiness. To add depth to the image would go against the look I have intended all along.

    Rudi: In my attempt to convey the emptiness, I might have left too much space. I'll try other compositions, as you suggest.

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Dear Mike,

    I understand, you cannot put in what was not there. The shot is really nice.

    Cheers
    Andrea

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Nice! Simple, yet not. I like it.

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    I could happily put such an image on the wall and look at it every day for the next year and see something different. Definitely a case of 'less is more'.

    Yes I agree that the bottom left could lose some branches/twigs and my head keeps asking about the reflection out of shot, but ignore those thoughts, this shot is truly exquisite in my eyes. And I am not easily pleased.

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Thank you to Paul and Ian!

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    I like this style of simple + reflections. Nicely done.

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Thank you, Bobo.

    Thank you also to everyone who recommended that I remove the foreground reeds in the bottom left area as well as some of the space on the sides. I like this much better.


    High-key monochrome with reflections

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Very nice, Mike. And I think the latest rendition is even better.

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Really nice Mike.

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Yep...that's the ticket!

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Wonderful image Mike, The last is brilliant.
    It never ceases to amaze me how just a small tweak to a photo can make such a huge difference.
    Cheers, Greg

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    That's the one Mike, nothing more to be said as : just wonderfull !!
    Regards, Rudi

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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    Thank you, everyone!

    Quote Originally Posted by gregj1763 View Post
    It never ceases to amaze me how just a small tweak to a photo can make such a huge difference.
    Exactly. That explains why it's so worth it to post photos here and ask for critique.

  19. #19
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    Re: High-key monochrome with reflections

    What I like about CiC Forum is that it is a Forum about photography, where we all discuss about photography and share our knowledge. You do not fear posting a photo asking "what can I do with this?", "Can I improve it, or at least have something decent out of it?"

    Here we post, or at least I post, to learn something, not to show something. This is what I really like of CiC forum.

    Andrea

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