Morning Light, Waimea Bay

[jasonrandolph]

I definitely plan or reworking the B&W version tonight.  My eyes prefer B&W in still photography, and I think I have the "RAW elements" in the image to make it work.  Results to follow...

[JeffKohn]

I think this type of image works better as B/W, the long exposure with the movement in the clouds looks unnatural in color since the brightness levels indicate daylight rather than twilight.  But the B/W conversion up top misses the mark, the sky needs to be darker with more contrast I think. If you can do that I think you'll have a keeper.

[jasonrandolph]

Here's a new B&W version.  I'm not sure if it works for me as-is, but I always value others' feedback.

[AndrewKulin]

Jason:

Of the three versions I prefer the original.  It has a dreamier quality to it.  The second B&W is in my opinion too dark and contrasty, losing detail in the lava shoreline and reducing the buttery (?) appearance of the water seen in the first.  Plus the sepia-like toning of the first appeals to me in this instance.  The colour version did not appeal to me either. The sky was too bright (approaching mid-day blue) and with more contrast against the sea than I was envisioning for the scene, not having been there and all.

Andrew

[jasonrandolph]

Thanks Andrew.  I think I agree with you.  That was closest to the effect I was going for.  I was going for an otherworldly effect, and I think the original best captures that spirit.  Maybe I'll try burning in the sky just a little bit.

[button]

Here's a new B&W version.  I'm not sure if it works for me as-is, but I always value others' feedback.

NOW we're talkin'!  You've certainly done an excellent job of PP here- you have the drama of the clouds combined with really well placed brights and darks.

Technically, I really don't see how you can improve this image IF you're after the "exploding cloud" look.

John

[JeffKohn]

Not to be too difficult, but I like the bottom half of the first B/W image and the top half of the second.  I like the lighter tones in the water and the more open shadows of the cliff in #1. I also like the warmer tone of the first shot. But in #2 the extra contrast brings out the dynamics of the clouds better.

[cmi]

Jason, yes, otherworldy, that was my impression too. Strange, even "dead" comes to my mind. I like the first version best, the last one is for me ordinary standard look. It is not special anymore. My advice, make the first *even brighter*. Not kidding! I tried and it looks great at least for my taste. The original intention gets more clear this way for me. The challenge is getting it overall as white as possible while still maintaining hints of detail. (The blacks of the rock stays of course, acts as an anchor). High key simulation.

Christian

[Jeremy Roussak]

Not to be too difficult, but I like the bottom half of the first B/W image and the top half of the second.  I like the lighter tones in the water and the more open shadows of the cliff in #1. I also like the warmer tone of the first shot. But in #2 the extra contrast brings out the dynamics of the clouds better.

My thoughts exactly, except that I prefer it untoned, as in the second.

Jeremy

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Not to be too difficult, but I like the bottom half of the first B/W image and the top half of the second.  I like the lighter tones in the water and the more open shadows of the cliff in #1. I also like the warmer tone of the first shot. But in #2 the extra contrast brings out the dynamics of the clouds better.

I just went back and looked at all three versions, and i am completely with Jeff on this. See if you can retain the "dreamy" quality in the lower half while boosting the contrast in the clouds. This is well worth some more work, IMHO.

[jasonrandolph]

Again, thank you all for the constructive critiques on this image.  There is certainly a plethora of opinions here.  It certainly takes a little more reflection on my part to come up with the "final" image.  Again, many thanks to all who commented.