Fire Escape in Black & White

Posted on October 27, 2009 by The Lazy Photographer

Two versions of the same photo, which do you like?

DistilleryDistrict-0706HDR2

DistilleryDistrict-0707EDIT2

The neat thing about the Distillery District is the overhead structures that pass between buildings. Not really sure what they were for. I like this photos because of the shadows, which is also why I desaturated it to black & white.

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10 Responses to Fire Escape in Black & White

  1. Mauro Metallo says:
    October 28, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    Hello, Dave:
    I like this photo. I think it’s interesting from a documentaristic and compositional point of view, without even counting in its architectural value.
    However,once I’m a black and white freak (noooo… Really?…), allow me to say something about your B/W pictures…
    I noticed your conversions to be somehow keen on developing harsh highlights: Don’t convert your photos! Be brave! Shoot them directly in B/W… It’s possible that you’ll have deeper blacks and brighter whites without that downside…
    I think you sharpen your photos too much: This doesen’t work for B/W… The picture develops some kind of a rough texture…
    Keep it on the soft side: You are not dealing with color…
    All the very best,
    Mauro.

    p.s.
    Please, don’t take my advices as an insult to your work, or don’t take me as a nosey know-it-all as well…
    I gave you those suggestion in friendship and good faith and just because I really like your images…

  2. davecandoit says:
    October 28, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    Hi Mauro,

    Thanks so much for your thoughtful advice. You’re indeed right, I do add contrast when de-saturating my photos into b & w. And please never worry about giving me advice. I’m always very appreciative, especially when it’s coming from those with far more experience & knowledge in the field.

    I’m adding another version above my first attempt. In this version I actually combined three photos to get one HDR photo, then desaturated it to b & w, but I did not crank up the contrast. Looks good this way, I think. Let me know what you think.

    Thanks again for taking the time to offer your advice.

  3. davecandoit says:
    October 28, 2009 at 1:04 pm

    Hi again Mauro,

    I think the new, less harsh version looks much better, thanks to your suggestion. I’ll be keeping it in mind for future b & w photos. Thanks again.

  4. Mauro Metallo says:
    October 28, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    I do love the second version better.
    Dave,
    The same goes for you: If you notice something in my pictures that needs improvement, please say so.
    I always said that photography is ONLY a matter of seeing: It’s either you see or you don’t… Regardless of things like experience, equipment or whatever else!
    Keep up the good work!
    Best,
    Mauro.

  5. Marie says:
    October 28, 2009 at 3:42 pm

    I too like the second photo … it has more depth and interest … thanks

  6. ottobiography says:
    October 28, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    hi dave! otto here, just looking through your stunning photos. really like the second one especially, shadow and line, it flows nicely. going with black and white was a good idea.
    anything black-and-white is my favorite 🙂

  7. writingphoto says:
    November 2, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    I like the second one 😉

    • davecandoit says:
      November 2, 2009 at 7:36 pm

      Thanks. Personally, I think I do prefer the first one. The second is a bit harsh to my eye, which is odd since I’m the one who made it harsh to begin with.

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