The calm before the storm

Thought I would share a photo I took recently in Northern Arizona just outside of Wupatki National Monument....Hope you all like it ! I am vey green and a novice but I do love B & W photography...Thank you for looking and commetning...Good or bad is appreciated so I can learn and get half as good as you guys and gals......Mikey

Mikey I love it. I'm a great B&W fan myself.

Rob.

rob vorderman wrote: Mikey I love it. I'm a great B&W fan myself.

Rob.

Thank you kindly Rob

Contrast is high enough that it's starting to look like IR. I would be tempted to lift the dark areas a bit. Of course there are a number of ways to do this with an editor.

Kelly

KCook wrote: Contrast is high enough that it's starting to look like IR. I would be tempted to lift the dark areas a bit. Of course there are a number of ways to do this with an editor.

Kelly

I don't want to sound stupid but how do I do that ? I do not have photoshop or any computer programs. Well except for the disk that came with my camera but I wouldn't begin to know how to use the darn thing. This is all very complicated for me I apologize. I am new to photography and even newer to the world of computers if you can believe that lol...What do you mean by contrast and what does that do to the photo ? I mostly use the dummy settings on the camera....because I don't know any other way....I used the P setting and to take the B & W I set the camera to take photos in B & W there I figured that out by playing with it a bit.

I have a Canon Rebel EOS XS and I know it's a entry level camera...I really wish to learn but I am not a person that learns by reading only. I have to actually do it a few times. Damn I feel so inadequate....I have been looking for someone to help teach me but I live in the dang boonies and thus far haven't found anyone near me willing to go out so I can learn....Thank you very much for your input....Apparently I need all the help I can get lol

That disk that came with your camera should include an editing program. Here is a link to Canon's online tutorial for how to use their editor -

www.learn.usa.canon.com/galleries/galler.../dpp_tutorials.shtml

I've found the Canon editor to be useful. I have that plus several free editors. But my main editor is Adobe's Elements. If you want to consider the different editors, try this thread -

www.photographytalk.com/forum/editing-an...programs-do-you-use-

Web sites for editing are not as common as for camera technique. But they can be useful. Most insist on talking about Photoshop. But those same principles apply to all editors.

www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/digi...editing-workflow.htm

www.elementsvillage.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?&f=7

www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-editing/

Photo editing can be a big hill to climb. I've been at this for over 5 years, still spend more time slaving over editors than going click with my camera. But the results can make a big difference. The following links contain examples -

kellycook.zenfolio.com/p167916449

www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1004890

Kelly

I like it. I'm not a big fan of B/W but that might be because I'm not as good at it as you. WTG Mickey.

KCook wrote: That disk that came with your camera should include an editing program. Here is a link to Canon's online tutorial for how to use their editor -

www.learn.usa.canon.com/galleries/galler.../dpp_tutorials.shtml

I've found the Canon editor to be useful. I have that plus several free editors. But my main editor is Adobe's Elements. If you want to consider the different editors, try this thread -

www.photographytalk.com/forum/editing-an...programs-do-you-use-

Web sites for editing are not as common as for camera technique. But they can be useful. Most insist on talking about Photoshop. But those same principles apply to all editors.

www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/digi...editing-workflow.htm

www.elementsvillage.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?&f=7

www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-editing/

Photo editing can be a big hill to climb. I've been at this for over 5 years, still spend more time slaving over editors than going click with my camera. But the results can make a big difference. The following links contain examples -

kellycook.zenfolio.com/p167916449

www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1004890

Kelly

WoW thank you that took some time to compile lol...I will read and hopefully understand what they're talking about

chasrich wrote: I like it. I'm not a big fan of B/W but that might be because I'm not as good at it as you. WTG Mickey.

Not so sure I deserve that kind of praise but thank you very much....after seeing your work I consider that a huge compliment

Excellent shot Mikey, I like this alot!

Shanna-Marie wrote: Excellent shot Mikey, I like this alot!

Thank you....You have a beautiful name btw

Awww....thank you, that's sweet.

Horizon in the center of the frame is usually frowned upon. There is not interest in the foreground so you could crop it out and move the horizon down ti the lower third of the image. The horizon line is tilted, but it may be that way in real life but it still looks odd. Since there is nothing to show us whether its tilted or not, I would straighten the horizon. Good luck and I look forward to seeing more.

Shadowfixer1 wrote: Horizon in the center of the frame is usually frowned upon. There is not interest in the foreground so you could crop it out and move the horizon down ti the lower third of the image. The horizon line is tilted, but it may be that way in real life but it still looks odd. Since there is nothing to show us whether its tilted or not, I would straighten the horizon. Good luck and I look forward to seeing more.

What I was trying to do is show the striking difference between the color of the sky and the grassland...Yes the groung itself is angled that way and only get worse lol thank you for viewing.

I've done B&W film and darkroom work and I'm newer at digital too. It does look almost infrared but others can help you w/camera settings. You have some potential w/this, but as someone else said, that much foreground doesn't help the image much; less of the grass might be better. Just cropping it some could help and adjusting the light and dark to get a more realistic balance - the trees look too solid black I think.

It takes time to learn photography and I think practice helps too to develop your skills. Even though you're in the boonies you might find online options (distance learning) to learn from/take a course.