just came out plain?

[Nieton21]

(level: beginner)
yesterday I went out for a walk to find some interesting things to shoot for the b/w assignment. There were a number of shots that I envisioned coming out really neat...this is one of them, I don't know why, but it just seems ok to me. I was really excited about this photo when i took it, too.

Camera Settings:
Aperture F 5.6
focal length: 55mm
Exposure: 1/13th sec
Mode: Aperture Priority

[blinking81]

Its a nice idea for a shot, i'm also only a beginner, but i would have changed a few things if it were my shot.

The composition doesn't captivate me, the fact that the ivy splits it in two makes the purpose of the composition in my eyes confused. I don't know what i'm meant to be looking at. I would have stepped to the right, and included more of the stairs, using perhaps the railings to draw my eye to the ivy, as a leading line.

The black and white looks great, and i think really suits it, however the steps are a little overexposed and there is a lack of detail, photoshop or any other alternatives can quickly fix this minor thing though.

It would have been intresting to see the shot more contrasting, stronger and more blacks, again the leaves on the ivy are also lacking detail which is a shame as the ivy and the beautiful stone wall really work well together.

I love the idea of the composition, and great choice of b&w, with a few minor tweaks this could be a really nice shot.

Eric

[stuart]

Originally Posted by blinking81

Its a nice idea for a shot, i'm also only a beginner, but i would have changed a few things if it were my shot.

The composition doesn't captivate me, the fact that the ivy splits it in two makes the purpose of the composition in my eyes confused. I don't know what i'm meant to be looking at. I would have stepped to the right, and included more of the stairs, using perhaps the railings to draw my eye to the ivy, as a leading line.

The black and white looks great, and i think really suits it, however the steps are a little overexposed and there is a lack of detail, photoshop or any other alternatives can quickly fix this minor thing though.

It would have been intresting to see the shot more contrasting, stronger and more blacks, again the leaves on the ivy are also lacking detail which is a shame as the ivy and the beautiful stone wall really work well together.

I love the idea of the composition, and great choice of b&w, with a few minor tweaks this could be a really nice shot.

Eric

i agree but i also think the half / half thing makes it look quiet artie and you can see the veins in the leaves nice shot

[Seltzer]

This is a shot that I think may have more of a story with colors due to the Ivy and bricks. As it is the Ivy in b&w is nice as are the bricks and the steps but for me it doesn't really give enough variety or exposure to what is going on. If in b&w you may try changing the composition if you want to take this again, get more of a shot of the stairs and only 1/4 of the pic or so given to the ivy.

[Nieton21]

ok i'll give it a try and retake the shot see how it comes out

[Nieton21]

here it is in color, do you prefer it this way better? Also the more I look at this the more I think it might be better if I could of used a smaller aperture and got the bricks in better focus....do you guys agree?

Thanks for your input everyone!

[jiminyClickit]

Nieton21,

Seltzer's suggestion is good especially because of the variety and richness of colors in ivy and bricks. If it were weeds and cement, b/w would be fine. Still unsold on half of each subject; if you left ivy as is and included twice that in brick and stairs, what would you have? I can't guess what else is to the right.

[Lani_D]

i was suprised to see how different it looked in colour! i definately like the colour better. i also like that the bricks are a little out of focus, so personally id leave the aperture as is. Like the others have said, i think the photo could use a little less ivy.

[steevdavis62]

yeh, colour is a much better option... the green of the leaves breaks up the monotony of the low contrast black and white

[wyldthang]

Hi, just a thought--what if you had someone moving down the stairs and used a slow shutter speed for a "ghost"? This is an interesting place, the bricks are nicely unusual! And I like the black and white version.