Again, any CC will be much appreciated.

I'm a little wishy washy on this one. One day I'll love it and the next... eh. Not so much.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8315673@N07/3493136494/

Too dark?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8315673@N07/3476660029/

and last one:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8315673@N07/3476688853/

Thoughts? Opinions?

Thanks all!

 

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I find black and white photos really hard get right. if there is too much going on it kinda blends together and you start losing the detail. Try playing around a bit with the brightness/contrast just to see if you can get some more definition without going too contrasty. Kash is a Black and White Guru, so he should have some great advice for you (which I'll be paying close attention to)

The tulip is beautiful and I love the composition, but yes, a little dark, you want to make those colours pop, while still keeping it soft and natural. Play with hue/saturation to get the right brightness and colour levels.

I love the last one and wouldn't change a thing

 

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Awesome

Thanks Shalis!

 

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B&W is very hard to do correctly, and thats why I chose to specialize in it, because its always a challenge.
But when done correctly it tells a much better story then color ever can. But just remember not everything looks right in B&W (That was the hardest thing for me to learn).
For B&W you must have "Contrast", lots of shadows and light to be interesting, and the subtle grays should be there (Except for the indoor art ones).
Kinda like this for contrast
http://www.frommyhandphotography.com/enchanted_woods_7.htm

I like the top shot, and the thing that you have going for it, is all those shadows, which for me, is what makes that photo. So I would dodge and burn abit more to get those shadows to pop out.

Middle shot is very nice, but to dark, shal gave you perfect advice on that one.

Last shot
I love it, but for me its just to dark IMO, the bird and flowers blends into the sky to much. You have the sky contrast dead on I think, but try brightening the bird and flowers abit by dodging.

 

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I also wanna say, your eye has improved greatly, and your getting pretty good

 

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Kash,

Thanks, man. I really do appreciate everything. Can't say that enough.

 

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While not a regular photographer I am an analytical individual who likes to view art.


My thoughts on your photos.


The first B&W. I liked it a lot. It looks like it was taken in the morning. Almost right before the horses/ponies are to be brought up for the kids to ride on the go-round. At least that was my first impression. Not much for me to add for you to improve on that one.


The Tulip. For me it wasn't the brightness. It was being a bit to close. I think if you were just a tad bit farther away everything would have come together a bit better. Color, brightness and a great shot. Excellent subject to shoot.


The bird. Wow I really liked that one. Again the only tiny imrovement that could have been made in my minds eye was position. Just a tad lower to catch less sky and more shrub. But that is a very minor thing on a great shot you got of the bird giving you the Eye.


Please take my comments with a grain of salt from a viewers point of view, not a photographers.


Cheers.

Dakk