a little more...oomph?

[dooda]

I embedded this a while ago.



I kept thinking that it could be better so I worked it more in curves and got this.



I'm wondering if I went a little too far with it, or if anyone thinks I should have gone further. I sat and looked at the two side by side for a while and finally decided that the latter is overall the better pic. Keep in mind that the first was saved in poor quality and is too compressed. The main reason for changing it was to get the shadows in the upper left a little more oomph. (whoever invented the word oomph bytheway, is one of the greatest geniuses of all and I'm eternally indebted...but I digress).

[Geoff]

Hi Dave,
Nice images! Both of them have 'ooomph'. However, I think somewhere in between the two of them would be 'perfect'. The 2nd one appears to be (in my humble opinion) a little too surreal. Instead of a snowscape it loks more like a moonscape, but if it works for you then great! I'd be keen to see what other members have got to say, nice image tho...well done


Geoff.

[christiand]

I like both.
What time of day (or was this at night) was the photo taken and
what were the light conditions ?

Cheers
CD

[dooda]

It was sunny with huge poofy clouds everywhere. Taken at about 3:20 (40 minutes to sunset about). Another BW pic on the same page was taken around the same time, gives you an idea (check it out on my flickr account).

[mudder]

The second one almost looks like either the sea bed, or maybe frothy sea waves on a shore-line...

Wonder if it's worth a try to only treat the shadows that you're after and being a little "gentler" on the sky? Just a thought, maybe a dumb one

Also had a sticky through your gallery, there are some very insprirational images in there, I enjoyed the sticky nose...

Cheers,
Mudder

[sirhc55]

Dave - I still prefer the first shot - don’t ask me why - I have the pics in view on another browser window on my 2nd monitor so as I type I can look - I can’t find the right words just that I still prefer the first shot

[flipfrog]

Dave:

"cool" pic...in more ways than one...

of the two, i cant decide which one i like better...
i think that if anything, you were able to remove some digital noise by darkening the sky in the second version

[MCWB]

Love the second shot. It doesn't look as 'real' as the first one, and that usually bothers me, but the 'oomph' more than makes up for it. More abstract, but definitely print & frame-worthy for me.

[gstark]

I prefer the first one.

It exudes subtlety of shades and contrast, whilst encompassing the full range of contrast that the camera is capable of. There's lots of detail in the highlights, and equally, detail in the shadows.

I think you're looking to put some "pop" into this where perhaps it's not really needed.

[ozimax]

I like the second, but I do think the dark area is too dark, does look like what I imagine Neptune or Pluto to be like on a sunny day??

Nice effect all round,

Max

[insanefireman]

The second one gives me goosebumps!