For this past month's free study I decided to reshoot a photo I took more than 5 years ago in the same place (Monument Valley tribal park). I had shot it with my 40D, and that camera's sensor was not as good for long exposures as this X-E2's. So I was able to keep the new one in color, and it looks a lot cleaner.
I figured it might score higher due to what I thought was improved technical quality, but it was actually a bit lower, and I'm not quite sure why. Scores aren't everything of course, but I also got a lot more comments on the old one during the "Challenge 2000".
Some feedback/constructive criticism would be appreciated.
The 2010 shot:
The 2015 shot:
I asked a co-worker and he said maybe the B&W treatment is more evocative of the 'wild west' vibe of the location, so maybe that's part of it?
Several things about the b/w make it a "better" image in my mind.
The plane trails in the opposite direction make for interesting visual design
The lack of color emphasizes the structures
the distant sky is more interesting
the horizon is cleaner
In the color, the horizon (as Lyn pointed out) is complicated by the light pollution, and draws attention from the main subjects
the color is "murky", and really doesn't add to the image.
the details in the structures (especially the bases) are flat
the star trails seem secondary and pale.
the blue in the sky is too pale/light
I agree that the plane trails were opportune in the first one.
I went pretty heavy on the processing when I did the B&W one, some of the impact probably came from that. I guess it works OK in a web size and it's not a noticeable difference with the new one, but in print the B&W one looks like complete crap and I'm hoping the other one will hold up better. Heck, maybe I'll try B&W on the new one...
Here's a B&W conversion of the new one; any suggestions?
It sure would be cool to go back on a 10 degree, crystal clear, moonless night, set off an EMP to cut the lights in the hotel, visitors center, all the houses and cars, and shoot a several-hour exposure on a mechanical large format film camera!
