Black and White

[Mzaki]

Just wondering if the composition is OK.

Is it underexposed?


Canon Eos 550D
18-200mm @ 35mm
f/8
ISo: 100
Shutter: 1/60
Flash EX 430 II

[Krusty79]

I looked at a histogram of your shot and the pixels are definitely skewed towards the underexposed side. The image does look flat.

You asked if the composition is ok, but I'm not sure what you were trying to convey. To me, it just looks like a snapshot of a car getting covered in snow. Were you trying to emphasize the amount of snow on the car? I think your shot would be better if you backed away, used the rule of thirds and used the tire tracks to lead the viewer's eye towards the car, but it depends on what you were trying to convey.

[Mzaki]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

I looked at a histogram of your shot and the pixels are definitely skewed towards the underexposed side. The image does look flat.

You asked if the composition is ok, but I'm not sure what you were trying to convey. To me, it just looks like a snapshot of a car getting covered in snow. Were you trying to emphasize the amount of snow on the car? I think your shot would be better if you backed away, used the rule of thirds and used the tire tracks to lead the viewer's eye towards the car, but it depends on what you were trying to convey.

Does it look better after the adjustment?

[S_Sanyal]

Hi Mzaki

The contrast is an improvement though I'd recommend you have the whites highlighted as much as you have done to the blacks. Your original image seemed muddy and grey, enhancing blacks makes its stronger, but your main elements (snow) which adds punch to the scene is a bit downplayed.

I second the observations made about the composition. You may want to use more of a foreground to put such a subject (car) in a context...

[Mzaki]

Originally Posted by S_Sanyal

Hi Mzaki

The contrast is an improvement though I'd recommend you have the whites highlighted as much as you have done to the blacks. Your original image seemed muddy and grey, enhancing blacks makes its stronger, but your main elements (snow) which adds punch to the scene is a bit downplayed.

I second the observations made about the composition. You may want to use more of a foreground to put such a subject (car) in a context...

Are the highlights increased enough?

[S_Sanyal]

OMYGOD!!! this is nuts ...i'm so sorry could help but exclaim!

now its overprocessed to a degree that it looks anything like a positive photograph, more like a developed negative or monochrome painting, not that thats not interesting , i'm rushing through right now, give me a bit, i'll post you a copy of what i am talking about...

[Krusty79]

I played around with your image and using this tutorial to select the white and black points helped a lot:

Levels: Getting the Professional 'Pop'

[Mzaki]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

I played around with your image and using this tutorial to select the white and black points helped a lot:

Levels: Getting the Professional 'Pop'

I have adjusted the levels manually. Is it done correctly?

[Krusty79]

I think that looks much better. You might want to get familiar with the histogram function in your camera if you are unsure if a shot is under/overexposed.