Morning Light at Blackrock Summit, Shenandoah NP
This one is a bit different for me. It was taken the same morning as my other sunrise image from Blackrock Summit, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. The original inspiration for the photograph was the extreme side lighting showing the contours of the mountain ridges and the rough texture of the foreground rocks. I later decided to simplify things and convert the image to black and white. I won’t say much more than that so as not to influence your opinion; but I would love people to stop in and comment. Tell me if you like it overall, and what you like or don’t like about it. Thanks!
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Paul Burgess on 01 Jul 2008 at 1:25 pm #
Hey Chris!
Before I say anything else, I’ll just tell you that I prefer colour to B&W, so I’m a bit biased.
It’s sort of neat, with the bit of fog and the light shining through it; but, in my mind, the foreground doesn’t add much at all. I do see a picture without the foreground, like perhaps a B&W panoramic of the mountain tops or something. Also, I think just the foreground rocks in B&W would make an interesting picture. But, you know, the more I look at it, the more I like it just as it is….
Just my 2 cents!
Happy shooting and God bless,
Paul
P.S. Seeing it in colour might change my thoughts, these are just my thoughts on the B&W.
Mike Normandeau on 01 Jul 2008 at 6:15 pm #
Hi Chris - I agree with Paul about the foreground, but the mountains are unbelievable. Love it in black and white - great shot!!!
Mike Normandeau
Chris Kayler on 02 Jul 2008 at 9:46 am #
Hey guys, thanks for stopping in and commenting.
Paul - some guys like B/W, some don’t. I tend to side with preferring color, but it just wasn’t working for me on this one. I processed it as black and white from the ground up, but if I get the time to process in color, I’ll pass it along. Thanks for the comments on the rocks … I go back and forth about them. I definitely should have tried some panos of the mountains only. Next time, I guess!
Mike - thanks for your thoughts.
Don Rosenberger on 03 Jul 2008 at 7:01 pm #
Hi Chris,
I think the B&W works just fine. Having seen the color version on your site a few days ago I think it works a little better because of the orange in the sky.
As for the foreground I have to disagree with the prior comments, I think the foreground is great and helps add depth to the shot. Blackrock is a unique spot and I think you would be remiss to shoot there and not include the unique terrain in your shots.
Check out my Blog and you will see a star trail photo that I shot there in May. I was hoping to include the North Star in that shot for a circular effect, but the light pollution in that direction was a problem and I had to switch to plan B.
Don.
Chris Kayler on 03 Jul 2008 at 8:58 pm #
Hi Don,
Thanks for weighing in with your thoughts. I like the rock foreground too
Not sure which image you saw though - I haven’t processed this in color.
Thanks for stopping in.