Anza bw

[armand]

Anza-Borrego
I thought the bw works best for the light.

[Jeremy Roussak]

I like the second, but I'd crop a little of that huge, featureless black space off the left.

Jeremy

[armand]

Interesting. I let that area go dark during postprocessing to draw more attention to the white bush but there is definitely information there that I can bring back. I'll try both ways.

[Rajan Parrikar]

The first one reflects the mood and the 'scape of the area. Given that the light is soft and diffused, I reckon the colour version will be quite beautiful.

[armand]

First cropped vs moderate local lifting of the shadows

[armand]

The first one reflects the mood and the 'scape of the area. Given that the light is soft and diffused, I reckon the colour version will be quite beautiful.

It does depict very well the washes from the region, I did struggle with the post processing though. I find it difficult to make it pop a little.
Here is a version processed in LR (I have one run through some Nik filters but this looks better, go figure).

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

First cropped vs moderate local lifting of the shadows

Of the original and the two variants, the most satisfyin gto me right now is the one with moderate local lifting of the shadows.

This one is totally satisfying. Fine image!

[MattBurt]

Of the original and the two variants, the most satisfyin gto me right now is the one with moderate local lifting of the shadows.

This one is totally satisfying. Fine image!

I agree! It's a great image overall and I think that adjustment makes it even better. You might be able to make the branches pop by locally boosting highlights and/or re-darkening some of the shadow area but I'm not convinced it would improve it.

[armand]

I agree! It's a great image overall and I think that adjustment makes it even better. You might be able to make the branches pop by locally boosting highlights and/or re-darkening some of the shadow area but I'm not convinced it would improve it.

I already did boost the branches at some extent, I could do it even more but I'm happy with the contrast the way it is.

Thank you all, good feedback leading to a better image and I need to learn to contain my temptation to go all in with the blacks.

[kers]

Indeed i agree; B+W is indeed far more interesting in this case- nice mood!

In the analogue times i put an B+W film in my camera and saw B+W... not anymore

[Jeremy Roussak]

First cropped vs moderate local lifting of the shadows

That with lifted shadows is the better of the two.

Jeremy