Age passed

[rogerxnz]

Here are a colour and a black and white image of the same shot. Which do you prefer, assuming you like either? All critiques welcome!

I am having trouble getting a sharp scan off this 6x12 negative but I quite like the apparent softness.
Roger

[Jeremy Roussak]

Here are a colour and a black and white image of the same shot. Which do you prefer, assuming you like either? All critiques welcome!

I prefer the B&W. That said, I don't think there's enough of interest in the right-hand half of the shot to justify the enormous area of blocked-up black in the upper part of the large tree. I'd be inclined to crop it just to the left of the large trunk.

Jeremy

[RSL]

I agree with Jeremy except for the part about a crop. Better solution: get on out there and let's see what the cabin looks like.

[nemo295]

I don't think cropping will help this shot. I do think the scene demands a re-shoot, because it looks like a great setting.

Also, was this scanned from a film original? Your Epson scanning software is adding some pretty severe halos. You might want to ease off on the compression a bit.

[rogerxnz]

Thank you for your views.

The shot comes from an Epson V700 scan of a Linhof 612 negative. I, too, questioned whether the cottage at the right should be included but thought that it repeated the motif of the house on the left and added value to the very dark tree area. The image, including the softness, reminded me of paintings by the English painter Constable but obviously too much wishful thinking!

I am not v happy with my scanning. I have trouble deciding if the film is in focus (I use bits of cardboard to maintain the film in what I think is the focus plane).

I have tried reshooting but have never got the same soft moody lighting.

I will keep trying!
Roger