Valont Pont d'Arc - retry added

[HCS]

Can't compete with all the greatness here, but here goes anyway. Shot quite a while ago, Valont Pont d'Arc in France, quite a touristy place. Pano of about 9 images.

[retry added below]

[Chris Calohan]

Need to open up your blacks significantly.

[stamper]

Perhaps not significantly but at least a little. Ironically I am usually the member that gets chastised for clipped blacks. The image is intriguing and it could be processed differently and become a fine image?

[thierrylegros396]

Here is a link to the website Vallon Pont d'Arc

Have a Nice Day.

Thierry

[HCS]

Thanks for commenting Chris and stamper. I agree. I kinda boosted contrast dramatically, because i often get remarks that my B&Ws are actually greys, too little contrast and muddy etc.

I'll take a stab at reducing the contrast somewhat and opening up the shadows.

@Thierry: i'm not quite sure what your comment means 

[thierrylegros396]

@Thierry: i'm not quite sure what your comment means 

Just for those who wanna go there

[HCS]

Just for those who wanna go there

Thanks

[HCS]

Retry, shadows more open, contrast adapted. Is this better?

[sdwilsonsct]

Is this better?

I think so. I am still wondering why a black line divides the beach from the water.

[luxborealis]

Retry, shadows more open, contrast adapted. Is this better?

Yes, it is, in that the shadows now have texture, but the arch is quite lost.

[francois]

Yes, it is, in that the shadows now have texture, but the arch is quite lost.

Now, with the improved processing the lost arch is the only thing that bothers me.

[HCS]

Thanks for checking again, after the update.

One question from my side, to understand for (my) future reference. What do you mean with "the arch is quite lost"? Could you elaborate a bit on this? Thanks

[Jeremy Roussak]

One question from my side, to understand for (my) future reference. What do you mean with "the arch is quite lost"? Could you elaborate a bit on this? Thanks

It's not visible. The background you can see through it is too similar in shade to the arch itself.

Jeremy

[brandtb]

I don't think this composition is successful in black and white. - the eye just wanders around ranges of darks to blacks without much focus. What does black and white do to really help this composition is a question I would ask? I don't know if pulling up the blacks would save it. Cropping of some on left and just a little on right might be helpful. My first impression is that I would have liked to have seen this in color.

[HCS]

Thank you both for clarifying, it's clear to me now.