The Thinker
by Kavey

Comment by Balko:
This one is "bland" for lack of a better work. Not enough real contrast as the tonal range seems too narrow.

Old Panes
by Kavey

Comment by Balko:
B&W Club

OMG, I forgot to comment on this one! I really like this, especially the patterns on the window, forcing the viewer to try to interpret it. AS to "blownout" areas. B&W is ok with some blowouts to attract the eye and make it connect-the-dots, as it were. And that blowout in this pic looks like a wall, the casement of the window on which the sun is shining. It's perfectly fine in this image.

Across the River
by Kavey

Comment by RonBeam:
The bright whites in the FG fight with the bright whites of the 2 boats and the strips along the far bank as well as the horizon line tones. In a good B&W, white is used to lead the eye along the composition. The whites in this piece have the effect of a ping pong ball bouncing inside a clothes dryer.

Old Panes
by Kavey

Comment by Falc:
B/W Mentor Group.

Hi Kavey,
I think you are correct in the fact that this is a classic subject for monochrome, the lines are stark and contrast very well against that textured glass. Its the lines which provide the structure, whilst the whites and greys provide the detailed infill, and its these areas which the eye drops onto and explores.

I can't decide whether I would like to bump the contrast in those swirls and textures in the window, I'd be scared of losing too much detail. If you look through the window at the left hand side you can see that there is no grey in that section becasue of the window jamb on the outside. That area would need some special treatment to not simply blow out.

Do you know what this image calls out for?
Something in silhouette on the window cill at the right hand side. A candle maybe, just something simpe to balance those textures.

Falc

The Thinker
by Kavey

Comment by Skyarcher:
B/W Club

I'm going to agree with muckpond on this. Your image is great, but kind of... the same all over, if that makes sense. I looked at mp's version, and I do like that there is more a difference within the blacks, whites and greys. More definition. However, I'm not sure I like the starkness of the shadows.

I'll come back to this one, after I finish my exams tonight, see if I can show what I mean.

-Christine

Old Panes
by Kavey

Comment by Skyarcher:
B/W Club
Forgive me Kavey if I do this wrong. :)

First, I love the texture of the panes, it reminds me of brushed ice. I also think that it did lend itself to B/W. I think it would have lost some of it's WOW factor otherwise.

Not crazy about the 'whiteness' to side of panes, but read your comments, so understand why it's there. I do however, like the reflection of the textures onto the wall.

I'm not sure how well it would do here, but to me, this could pass for a low-key image.

The textures obscuring what is on the other side, just make me want to keep looking to see if I can figure out what is there. Without reading that it is buildings, I get to use my imagination as to what is hidden.

-Christine

Old Panes
by Kavey

Comment by elvia:
Great Shot. Does everyone here not see the picture in this?? Let your minds eye see an old man with long wind swept hair and beard blowing across his face. The eyes and nose are in the third row from the top,eyes are in the 4th and 7th pane left to right. His head is tilted slightly to the left. His mouth is in the 4th row and 6th paneI I love this shot...

The Thinker
by Kavey

Comment by admart01:
B/W Club!

Can't add much more than Rob's comments. The vacant, gray sky feels like a void with all the angular forms and frame-filling detail. Maybe it is the thick, black border that's highlight that for me?? I find the shadows and their play amongst the rocks to be very interesting -- b&w strengthens that element.

Old Panes
by Kavey

Comment by admart01:
B/W Club!

(ignoring all the great elements of this shot - compostion, artistic feel, etc. in favor of B&W focus) :)

This shot really works in B&W - it keeps it simple. The lack of color forces the attention on the light (isn't that one of the best things about windows) and shadows. The boost of contrast drops a bit of detail in favor of cleaner lines between the shapes further highlighting the geometric and architechtural quality in the shot.

The Thinker
by Kavey

Comment by muckpond:
B/W Club!

great shot and great title. the composition is good, but i would like to see deeper tones throughout -- it looks a little gray. i think having the solid black border so near the photo makes it look plain as well. making the shadows a bit darker and the highlights an oh-so-little-bit lighter would make the formation itself "pop" more.

i took the liberty of doing a few contrast adjustments. i'm not saying that my version is "better," but i think it more accurately describes what i'm talking about more than words could: