Experiments with Nik filters

[Spam]

C&C welcome

[Shadowman]

Nice efforts, I can only assume you like clouds more than other elements of your compositions. Very dramatic skies.

[Polar01]

You have some very nice clouds down there ins South Africa, Simon.

Cheers: Allan

[Spam]

John, yes, I like clouds very much, but I'd prefer not to sacrifice other elements in order to capture them. I'd appreciate your critique of the composition (or lack of it) and any tips on how to improve it.

[Spam]

You have some very nice clouds down there ins South Africa, Simon.

Cheers: Allan

This is true, Allan, and they are even nicer once you've run them through Photoshop CC's "dehaze", which is just the best thing since the invention of the wheel (and I'm probably a little more than guilty of overdoing it). But the dramatic moments tend to be quite fleeting, often only about 30 minutes or so, and I struggle to get somewhere where I can find something interesting to put in the foreground.

[Shadowman]

John, yes, I like clouds very much, but I'd prefer not to sacrifice other elements in order to capture them. I'd appreciate your critique of the composition (or lack of it) and any tips on how to improve it.

Simon,

The clouds are handled very well, the structures/foliage is very close to becoming lost in the composition. In the first image most of the tones are too similar to differentiate. In the second, the composition would benefit with a bit of separation between the horizon and the swing set. In the third, I like it as it is but the house on the horizon might require a bit of burning to emphasize it more.

[mknittle]

Not enough contrast maybe. other wise I like the clouds.

[Spam]

Simon,

The clouds are handled very well, the structures/foliage is very close to becoming lost in the composition. In the first image most of the tones are too similar to differentiate. In the second, the composition would benefit with a bit of separation between the horizon and the swing set. In the third, I like it as it is but the house on the horizon might require a bit of burning to emphasize it more.

Thanks, John. This is grist for the mill. Forgive me for badgering (as a newcomer to these forums I've no idea to what extent one should prevail upon others for continued advice), but the light in this situation was extremely harsh. In each of the pics I had the sun on my left, and I had to move into the shade of a tree or pole just to be able to look at my LCD display. It really bugs me that the darker tones are washed out, but if I'd exposed for them I would have lost the clouds. Then again, maybe I should have shot in RAW. :-)

[Shadowman]

Thanks, John. This is grist for the mill. Forgive me for badgering (as a newcomer to these forums I've no idea to what extent one should prevail upon others for continued advice), but the light in this situation was extremely harsh. In each of the pics I had the sun on my left, and I had to move into the shade of a tree or pole just to be able to look at my LCD display. It really bugs me that the darker tones are washed out, but if I'd exposed for them I would have lost the clouds. Then again, maybe I should have shot in RAW. :-)

Simon,

I think the clouds would be easily recoverable especially if you are using the Nik filters.

[Astramael]

Hi Simon,

In my (not extensive) experience black and white photos accentuate structure. A quick Google search got me this link which is an effective demonstration: https://iso.500px.com/best-of-2014-t...-white-photos/

In each of the examples the photo works in black and white because it is pushing shape and composition in sacrifice of everything else. This is a hard and fast rule, and like all rules it is made to be broken in pursuit of great storytelling.

The main issue I have with your images is that they are too busy to be effective in black and white. The color is practically needed in order to separate the elements. My novice advice is: Try simpler, more essential compositions.


I will now recite the black and white photographer's creed: "Worship shadow, because only it will give drama to the light."