My Favorite Tree with Fresh Snow

[OkNewbie]

I love the shape of this old tree. As I was driving by this afternoon, I stopped to take a picture with fresh snow. I didn't like the initial result so converted to B&W and added light source in PS. Would like to hear thoughts and comments.

[japicha]

Hi OkNewbie, I really like the shot. what settings did you use, and what time of day was this taken?
Alan

[OkNewbie]

Thanks Alan.

Exp 1/8 sec
F14
ISO 100
Focal Length 50mm
Exp comp -0.33

Time of day was 4:35 on a snowy afternoon

[navcom]

I think your comp is great. Not sure about the light source you added...it looks a bit "artificial" as the source is coming from behind the tree but the tree is lit up on the front. Just my two cents.

[OkNewbie]

Navcom...thanks for the comment and I do understand what you are saying. I really like the comp. but the picture didn't pop. PP is not my strong suit. Any suggestion what I can do with it? I am attaching the photo again with only the B&W conv. Also, when i bring down the resolution, the color is different -- bluish cast. That color is not there until I resize it using FastStone.

[navcom]

For B&W, maybe increasing the contrast a bit (or increasing the black point if you have that option in your PP software). That will help it pop a bit more. B&W is all about contrasts. If there isn't a big contrast, it will not pop.

On the bluish tint, that should be correctable in PP as well. You should be able to change the tint. If you shot in RAW, you might be able to prevent the tint before the conversion by trying a different white balance setting.

[SuperDan]

At first I didnt like the added light, but then you are correct OKNewbie as it didnt pop as much when compared to the original converted b/w

Nice shot and lovely composition... i wonder how old that tree is and what it would look like during the fall

[OkNewbie]

Navcom...I dont know...the final product from Photoshop does not have the bluish cast, but when I resized it in FastStone to post here, the blue cast appeared. I am just starting to work with RAW files so trying to gain knowledge every day.

SuperDan...the tree is an old Bodark tree. They are thorny suckers! To be that large, it has been around for a long time. In the fall, it will turn golden yellow -- very pretty; however, the leaves do not last very long.

Thanks guys...i appreciate the comments and suggestions from both of you.

[Doctor Atomo]

Is there a time of the year when the grass is lower, so you can frame the tree against the sky more?
Some of my favorite subjects are trees!