High-key monochrome with reflections

[Mike Buckley]

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?

[Donald]

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.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, Donald!

[kris]

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

[rudi]

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

[Mike Buckley]

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.

[kris]

Dear Mike,

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

Cheers
Andrea

[jeeperman]

Nice! Simple, yet not. I like it.

[shreds]

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.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you to Paul and Ian!

[Bobobird]

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

[Mike Buckley]

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.

[Jeff S]

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

[kris]

Really nice Mike.

[jeeperman]

Yep...that's the ticket!

[gregj1763]

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

[rudi]

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

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, everyone!

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.

[kris]

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