Landscape in Monochrome (as requested)

[terrib]

After posting this in color HERE, many wanted to see it in B&W. I probably didn't take it in the direction people envisioned, but I rather liked the sepia tones.

I do very few conversions into monochrome so I'm still figuring out WHY and therefore still figuring out the style or look that I like. These are two very different versions that to me evoke different moods.

In the first, I applied a light white vignette which further emphasizes the natural light tones that were already around the edges. I used Mike's suggested workflow in Silver Efex. The second, I started with a preset and made mods from there. In this second version, we lose the dramatic sky but I think it really makes for a serene scene.

Basically I like them both for different reasons and for different moods.

C&C and edits are always welcome.

[Manfred M]

Two nice conversions Terry.

I prefer the colour versions of this image, but of the two, I would probably pic the first one over the sepia one. I think the vignette is a bit too heavy-handed for my taste. It takes away some more content than it should, but then it does look like a faded period image.

Regardless, a nice experiment in B&W.

[Stagecoach]

Hi Terri,

For me I find the clouds in No 1 above overpowering and it has lost the delicacy of the colour image. The work you have done on No 2 I prefer to No 1 and it comes second to that superb colour original of yours.

But a good trial and will be interesting to hear other views.

Grahame

[ShaneS]

I agree with both Manfred and Grahame and will make a suggestion for you to try...

First of all I hope that you created the first image as a smart layer (read editable or tweakable ) but not sure if that is possible with the software that you use. Either way, I think that if you lessen the contrast and/or structure in the sky by using control points) in the first mono version you might have something closer to the delicate rendition in your color version. You could also add some sepia toning to that version in the finishing adjustments section of SEP2 which would bridge the difference between the two versions that you have shared here. If you don't have a smart/editable layer then you may be able to accomplish the same thing via a layer/mask combination outside of SEP2.

[Mike Buckley]

The second one works really well for me. It's probably my favorite of all of them.

I agree with Shane's comments about the sky in the first one. You can accomplish what she suggests even though Lightroom, which you use, has neither smart nor dumb layers. You probably won't have to make those changes (if indeed you want to make them) outside SEP2.

[Kodiak]

Two nice conversions Terry.

I prefer the colour versions of this image, but of the two, I would probably pic the first one over the sepia one. I think the vignette is a bit too heavy-handed for my taste. It takes away some more content than it should, but then it does look like a faded period image.

Regardless, a nice experiment in B&W.

+1

[Shadowman]

Nice conversions, I think the second has a little something extra as it takes the image beyond just a landscape.

[dabhand]

Terri - the second one for me too - it is the type of image which easily conforms to the style of sepia prints in the past and the lack of cloud definition is not a negative factor, it is also true (if only accidentally so) to the printing in many antiquarian books.

steve

[bnnrcn]

Hi Terri I actually like both of them. I agree with Shane about a less powerful sky in #1. Very good trials.

[dje]

Hi Terry

I'll buck the trend here as I actually prefer the mono images over the colour (although it's very good too). Both conversions are very well done IMO and I can't decide which I prefer - they are just different.

Dave

[terrib]

Sorry for the late reply everyone. I really appreciate your comments. It's nice to see the varied opinions. It makes me feel like I've accomplished something when it mostly comes down to differences in taste.

[Mike Buckley]

It makes me feel like I've accomplished something when it mostly comes down to differences in taste.

Perhaps your most important accomplishment is coming to the realization that you have not yet finalized a style that predictably works well for you. You only have two more steps to go: finalizing that style (there may be more than one) and then using the software to make it happen. Knowing how rapidly you progress once you determine to do something, if you do decide to seriously delve into the realm of making monochrome images, you'll be making many evocative images very soon.