Long Distance Swimmer

[Martyn]

Not saying the weather is bad, but this seems to be the best way to travel today. This is part of the monument to Gerry Fosberg who was the English Channel swimming record holder in 1957

 

 

 

 

 

[David]

Could well be the way the weather is going Martyn. Nice atmosphere in that shot

[NannyFerret]

I like that!

It hasn't stopped raining all day today.

[Korky]

I love the composition, Martyn, very striking.

 

But, for me, the image is lacking in contrast. I feel it needs a bit more punch so that there's a solid black and a better range of tones.

 

Korky

[Martyn]

Thankyou Korky, I'll have another play with it later.

 

This was one of those shots where I didn't really want to get my camera out; it was very drizzly and misty (the sort of rain that gets you wet as Peter Kay says). A white marble statue against a grey sky was a challenge, even the original colour pic looked mono.

 

 

 

 

[Martyn]

I've had another play with this image in Lightroom. I moved the black slider down just a smidgen and gone from medium contrast to strong contrast in the tone curve. It seemed to accentuate the graininess that I'd used so I toned that down a little too. I'm usually like a bull in a china shop when it comes to making adjustments, so I've tried to show a little restraint with this second edit. Please let me know what you think, I don't have a problem trying again if anyone thinks it needs more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GrahamNfk]

Who could resist a photo session round a monument like that? Looks impressive, and looks great in black and white.

[David]

I thought making those adjustments would have taken away some of the atmosphere...I was wrong! its improved it all round. Well done Martyn

[Martyn]

http://www.bldsa.org.uk/pages/10gforsbergtribute.htm

 

Here's some info about Gerry Fosberg. Down at the bottom of the page is the photograph that the statue was modeled on, so I've taken a photograph of a statue of a photograph of a swimmer.

[BlackFox]

I like that a lot Martyn, I was also going to suggest more contrast to separate the background from his head. You'll notice from my pictures that I often head straight for the contrast sliders when processing. Is it just the added contrast, or have you increased the vignette on the second version as well? That's also looking good, as it concentrates your attention on his head.

[Martyn]

I like that a lot Martyn, I was also going to suggest more contrast to separate the background from his head. You'll notice from my pictures that I often head straight for the contrast sliders when processing. Is it just the added contrast, or have you increased the vignette on the second version as well? That's also looking good, as it concentrates your attention on his head.

 

No Derek, I didn't touch the vignette in the edit. Glad you like it though; black and white is still a bit of a mystery to me, still trying to get to grip with what it is that makes a good shot.