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Black and White


Black and White
Photo Information
Copyright: Valerie Schnepp (valy67) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1318 W: 52 N: 1782] (5276)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Black & White
Date Taken: 2008-02-19
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 350D, Canon EF 18mm-55mm f/3.5 - f/5.6
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/80 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): posts with a difference, Alex99 favorite shots [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-04-26 1:16
Viewed: 873
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Something a bit different for today, I think this is my very fisrt B&W picture I post on TN. Maybe quality is not best, but it is a picture I really like for the beautiful contrast between the black lake and the white swan, and I also like the idea that the swan seems to be swimming on nothing than black emptiness. I would like to know what you think about it...

The water looks so dark for many reasons, first because it was surrounded of trees, second because it was located in a valley between many big hill, and so there was no sun at all, it is a very dark place. I didn't come for the swans, though, so I just took one picture or two, and then I went further into the forest.

It is only when I arrived home that I realised I could do something nice with this picture. I turned into B&W (it was almost B&W already, as the was poor light) and then I darkened the water a bit, so it has become entirely black, I kind of like the effect.

As for the bird, it is a Mute Swan (Cygnus olor), one of the most common birds on lakes and ponds and rivers, so I will not make long notes about him, as there have been so many things written about them already.

I just want sincere appreciation, whether be is good or bad - I want people to be honest. Tell me what you really think, please...
pablominto, ramthakur, inked, boreocypriensis, loot, NinaM, Alex99, xTauruSx, oscarromulus, peter_stoeckl, cicindela, RII has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To loot: Thank youvaly67 1 04-27 02:55
To NinaM: Mercivaly67 1 04-27 02:40
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Valerie,
A lovely composition, where the lovely reflection really adds attraction value!
Stunning simplicity, and you pick the right image for B&W presentation, as I don't miss colours for a moment here!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hi Valerie,
Black and white has always been a powerful medium of graphic expression and you have used it very wisely in this picture.
The white bird and its reflection on black water make a lovely composition.
You have cropped the image in such a way that there is more space behind the subject than the other way round.
Again a good decision since the entire reflection has a great value in this composition.
TFS and bye.
Ram

  • Great 
  • inked Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 134 W: 0 N: 230] (694)
  • [2008-04-26 2:04]

hi Valerie,
i agree with the previous crits. fantastic use of B&W here. Very elegant capture of this swan, with a great reflection. really nicely composed and presented. great work! tfs
Gethin

Hi Valerie,
Superb and fantastic shot of this mute swan with wonderful clarity. TFS.
Cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 653 W: 0 N: 1622] (5298)
  • [2008-04-26 5:07]
  • [+]

I will tell you what I really think. When I first opened the picture, it seemed ordinary, then my eye caught the beautiful reflection of the small waves. The swan looks suspended in the air, it is a very delicate composition you have done here. It is more artistic, and very well done, than it is of a natural history picture ;-) I think this picture is superb, it is worth being printed on quality paper and put on a wall somewhere. Beautiful work, Valérie, j'aime vraiment beaucoup, c'est superbe. Tout est de qualité, aérien, une fine dentelle. Le choix du noir et blanc est vraiment judicieux. Merci!

Francine

hi valerie,
what a great shot with great aesthetics, well composed shot, the reflections add to the beauty,
very well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3160 W: 148 N: 4787] (15449)
  • [2008-04-26 8:06]

Hi Valerie.
I watch your true art work with great pleasure and pride for you. This is amazing shot created with terrific taste and so great skill. Superb use of w/B palette, blameless composition of the shot, exposure and sharpness/details are spot on too. Bravo and my hearty congratulations.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1800 W: 29 N: 5223] (17114)
  • [2008-04-26 19:04]

Hi Valerie,
Wonderful B&W shot which looks very artistic and charming. The white swan and its reflection on the dark water makes the image a masterpiece. I even like the light reflection on the ripples formed by the movement on the water. Though I see areas of OE and UE I still find this image captivating and delicate. Very impressive and skillfully done. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5747 W: 606 N: 3503] (9405)
  • [2008-04-26 21:59]
  • [2] [+]

Hi Valerie

You want honest so I'll give honest as I believe I always do.

I like the overall effect of this shot very much. The B&W also worked well for this specific posting giving excellent play of light with the reflection of the swan and the wake of water caused by the movement. The white object against the pitch black surrounding also creates an interesting visual effect. However, there are a couple of small nits as well and that's mostly caused by the exposure levels. Unfortunately the whites (especially on the left wing and the tip of the right wing) show a bit of OE and the black in the facial area shows some UE thus loosing the detail. But otherwise it is a fine B&W contribution.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hello Valerie,
Splendid shot of this B&W swann shot. Great composition. TFS. Regards,
Deniz

Valerie,
OUTSTANDINGLY BEAUTIFUL.
This image needs no further comment; it is sooooo good.
Warm regards,
Mario.

What a splendid photo. The black and white adds a definition to the swan. I think the reflection is attracting the eye a bit more, plus there's fluid and grace. This is very well done. Composition and sharpness are superb.

  • Great 
  • izler Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1325 W: 79 N: 916] (8534)
  • [2008-04-28 5:10]

hello Valerie
different and interesting capture of this cute swan
i like POV, B&W choice and reflection
TFS
regards
izler

Liebe Valerie,
edles, kunstvoll klassisches, sehr elegant komponiertes Bild! Reduktion der Farben auf reines Schwarz-Weiss scheint mir eine sehr gute Wahl hier zu sein. Das Foto gefällt mir außerordentlich gut, kann es immer wieder aufs Neue mit Freude betrachten.
Mit Dank und herzlichen Grüßen,
Peter

Hello Valerie,
This is a very beautiful B/W with the reflection of the swan and water ripples. I love B/W. I hope you have this hanging on your wall. Well done.I have never been to France but looking at your other photos I agree it is a beautiful place to live.All my best.
Cecile

Hello Valerie!
This is a great artistic picture! I like composition and black-white tones olny. Wonderful work! :)
Thank you for showing this image!
Have a nice weekend!
Radomir

  • Great 
  • RII Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 486 W: 0 N: 887] (2804)
  • [2008-06-29 15:33]

Hi Valerie.

Beauty compostion in B/W ,artistic shot,the reflection is wonderful.Good note.

Thanks....RICARDO.

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