B&W Train Tracks--how's the contrast?

[listenthenspeak]

The first photo was taken in B&W on my Canon Rebel XSi.
-f/2.2
-1/640 sec.
-ISO 100
-50mm.
I had the sharpness bumped up to 6 and the contrast at +3.

For the second photo, I used Elements 5 to darken the highlights, then increase the contrast. I then dodged in certain areas, mostly in the upper right corner. I then increased the contrast a bit more.

What do you think? Are the highlights too bright? Any suggestions?

Thanks!
-Naomi

[dcclark]

I prefer the second -- the hilights feel much better. (My usual test for hilights is: do I feel like I should be squinting? On the left -- yes. On the right -- only a little).

[digirebelva]

I to prefer the second one, the weeds are too blown out for me in the 1st one

[listenthenspeak]

Thanks for your replies! I know for sure that I prefer the second one as well, but what I was wondering is, Have I edited it the best that I could? Are the weeds still too blown out in the second one? I don't have very much experience with digital editing....so I'd like any critiques on the editing I've done.

Thanks!
-naomi

[PowerPix]

Originally Posted by listenthenspeak

Thanks for your replies! I know for sure that I prefer the second one as well, but what I was wondering is, Have I edited it the best that I could? Are the weeds still too blown out in the second one? I don't have very much experience with digital editing....so I'd like any critiques on the editing I've done.

Thanks!
-naomi

Yes, they are still too blown out in the second one also.......only slightly though!!!! Minor tinkering could fix that without a problem. You did a pretty good job with the sharpening, any more and it would "look" sharpened, you know? Some people tend to over do sharpening but yours is rather nice!!! Keep up the good work.