Black & White Cloud Photos Vol XV
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Ready for more B&W spelunking? Hans’s dramatic Wind And Rain And Shine gave us a perfect combination of sky features to close Volume XIV. Let’s continue the exploration!
Dark And Light And ? -
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Fantastic cloud sculpture, Michael! At first glance, the image reminded me of dramatic works by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Then pareidolia took over and now I see a little bear being held gently aloft in a large paw. I like both impressions very much.
Further venturing on this tour, I came across a couple of architectural wonders.
Greek Corinthian Columns -
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From powerful drama to graceful allure in your Arizona B&Ws, Michael. And Hans, I envy your strolls by the North Sea. That thin line of sunlit sea on the horizon in Light Sculpture is exquisite. And congratulations on your stunning photo featured on the Gallery (February 26). Wow!
Wink! -
Thank you Michael and thank you Keelin too for your kind and beautiful wink.
Are you both already joining or starting a group? I was at first a bit reluctant to participate but I thought that there certainly has to be a group in the Netherlands and so I started a group for Noord Holland. I am curious for experiences and hope to gather some local people to exchange pictures and thoughts. Maybe also make them enthusiastic when time comes about abstract Black and Whites? I have noticed already a group for Arizona and California as well by the way.
Another View On The North Sea
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Another View On The North Sea works so well in B&W, Hans. I liked the surprise when my eyes dipped down to find that shimmering strip along the lower edge indicating scale.
In the photo below, the clouds float free, so they can be any dimension you’d like. Funny when you think about it, how the mind can hold an entire headful of clouds, any size, any shape. They all fit!
As for the new Cloudspotter Groups, it looks like they’re taking off with a nice flourish! If only I had more time to devote. Alas, it’s all I can handle at the moment to keep up with our favorite Forum topics. But as you say, Hans, it may introduce more folks to these themed threads, so here’s hoping!
No Dimension Known -
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Thank you Keelin.
And yes any size will fit. Nice to think about it that way. The freedom (of size and anything else) is indeed what characterizes your last post.
I understand about the communities. Until now it is a matter of some patience. We will see and I hope it is gonna grow. The title of your last post is very applicable : No Dimension Known indeed. Very funny.
The dimensions of the following mushroom in two stores is very known: huge! Great picture Michael.
A Detail In The Spotlights
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A magnificent, double-layered dessert in your last photo, Michael. Love those dark, bird-like flickers adding impressions of a scale not to be trusted. As Hans notes, that cloud is HUGE!
While I can’t explain why (and no reason really necessary), the curl in A Detail In The Spotlights makes me smile, Hans. Die krul is een beetje vreugde.
Speckled Feather -
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Oh, Michael, from what wild realm did B&W#167 emerge? Simply incredible! I love this creatura! Have you considered sending it to the MudPie team for their Cloud Tales project? I can only imagine what fun storytelling it would inspire. Even sans pareidolia, it is a remarkable cloud image.
In Awe -
Thank You Keelin!..Mudpie sounds to be fun.! That photo would give an imagination a good opportunity. When I saw that area of the sky, it appeared to me as very interesting. So I took a series of shots. Not until processing them in “Lightroom” did the creature show itself. Definitely of the Realm of Clouds as is your Awe!
Another shot taken for being interesting
Arizona B&W#168
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I agree with Keelin on Arizona B&W#167 Michael. It is a magical one for sure. It must have been amazing to see that one emerge in your lightroom. The Realm Of Clouds it is.
On the former one Keelin stated that her celestial orchestra was not ready yet but I think different. It is pure and perfect jazz in B&W and sounds like my favorites.
You both make this thread so much fun and inspiring!
Something Nondescript And Puzzling
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Michael, the delicate tonal balance you’re able to achieve in b&w continues to impress. Both #169 and #170 could be mush in less skillful hands.
And oh, I like that, Hans, your Something Nondescript And Puzzling! It’s the stuff of which mysteries (and stories!) are made. Light As A Feather has a hint of that quality as well. Where do these come from? Might this (below) be a source?
Branch Of A Feathery Feather Tree -
Thanks Keelin! Adobe Lightroom has an amazing tool called “Clarity” which seems like a perfect tool made for Cloud photography. Clouds are notoriously low in contrast or just the opposite, very high in contrast depending on the time of day. While processing the shots, a “normal” amount of contrast can be adjusted to effect the pictures over all range from black to white. But “Clarity” works the contrast between a dark pixel and its neighbor ,say, a white pixel..Thats a general description but the tool definitely turns mush into a clearer ,sharper presentation. Matter of fact I shoot a lot as “flat”, low contrast, especially seeing how “Clarity” helps with clouds like Asperitas . The other side of Clarity is that it can contribute to “noise” ,the digital equivalent to analogue “grain”. So I usually shot at 200 asa or lower to control the “noise’ increase when perhaps a lot of clarity is required. Its fascinating the difference of “clarity” may be needed in how much pre programed contrast, saturation etc is set for. Experiment experiment experiment is all I can say. The rite combination for the kind of clouds and time of day can be found, giving anybody the ability to turn mush into somethin worthy to be framed and hung on the wall.
Arizona B&W#171
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Thanks for helpful and encouraging info, Michael. Adobe Lightroom will definitely be my choice of processing programs next time I upgrade. For now, I’m just happy to have finally replaced my antique iPhone 5s with an 11pro and its vastly improved camera. Slowly, so slowly, moving into a faster lane here.
Typewriter Dreams -
Wow, again some astonishing B&W’s from you both. The Feathery Feather Tree is magical and enchanting Keelin and Michael’s play with light in #171 is magical too.
Great to read about your use of LR Michael. What you explain about noise can be seen in my former Light As A Feather. I pushed the use of clarity to the limits in that one.
The contrast in Typewriter Dreams is also great. It gives clarity in a different way.
Also in next one I used clarity and what I tried is to emphasize the little curly details in a rather smoky cloudstructure.
Something Is Getting Revealed
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Danke je, Hans. And you may have used clarity in Something Is Getting Revealed, but it remains a wonderful mystery!
Swimming Through UncertaintyPS: Jocelyn, in reply to your question about Billy: Our beloved friend made his first appearance courtesy of Hans on the forum’s B&W topic (Vol 2, March 17, 2017) with the title Swimming Goat. To get a glimpse, just enter “goat” into the Search field. Hans and I have taken a particular liking to this frisky cloud character who tends to cross the pond unexpectedly and show up in slightly various forms*. A sighting is always a delight, so keep your eyes on the skies and do let us know if he heads your way. We’re grateful to Gavin and Ian who kindly allow us free rein with our wild imaginations here.
*Billy’s a swift swimmer, so sometimes, we only get a hint of him…
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Hans, yes, grey tones buried in the dark reveal them selves with judicial use of LR ‘clarity”. The Canon 6D camera has a CMOS that is more sensitive to the Infra Red part of the spectrum. Astronomers like the camera because it picks up so much of the unseen in the Universe around us. When shooting clouds with it and the processing the photos, its almost like magic to watch the invisible come to light with “Clarity”
Arizona B&W#172
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Welcome Andy. You join just at the end of a discussion about using clarity in LR. Thank you Michael for all your information about the way you work. I did not know yet about the extra sensitivity for the infra red of the 6D sensor. I don’t know whether this is also the case with my 7D, but like you I am also sometimes surprised what detail comes up when enhancing clarity .
And you come up with great use of granularity in your B&W Andy. One can’t tell just because of the conscientiously use of granularity whether it is a digital one or analogous, but is it indeed an analogous picture? Love the composition and – forgive me – I see also this friendly witch with her bird on a flying carpet.
Swimming In Uncertainty so to speak with the latest B&W by Keelin who also lets Billy the goat revisit this stage. Although here are mainly abstract B&W’s, pareidolia is almost inevitable at stake in this thread.
Nameless
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Yeah, these images are taken for a class I took last year on film development techniques. Reading through the posts about the clarity slider has been very interesting; a lot of the things that got brought up were things I definitely had to take into consideration as well in developing and printing. I have mixed feelings about the amount of grain in these images. On the computer screen I’m not a big fan, but I sorta like it when printed. As Michael mentioned, going to a lower ISO film probably would have help with that.
Seeing all of these awesome images has gotten me motivated to scan more of mine :)
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Michael, thanks so much for your helpful comments and suggestions on LR. I continue to save them for future guidance. B&W#172 is a great example of the fine details the program makes available—for one with a skilled eye!
And welcome to the B&W forum topic, Andy! Delighted to see your first posts, and look forward to more. As Hans points out, most images here are of an abstract nature, which I believe has both opened my eyes to a new way of looking at clouds and enhanced my appreciation of the art form itself. As for granularity, there are times when I feel it enhances the mood of the image and/or adds a touch of mystery. But then, I’m of the pareidolia persuasion, and like Hans, tend to see things where others might not. ;) Both of your photos remind me of those fleeting dream images that begin to dissolve at waking, inviting one to linger.
Speaking of lingering…WOW, Hans! Nameless is fantastic! I just cannot stop looking at it.
In the image below, a waning crescent moon rests in the upper left quadrant, steady as can be while the surrounding clouds can’t seem to hold still.
Shivers -
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I like the formation of the foursome you captured, Michael. And thanks for kind words, Hans. You must know, pareidolia is always welcome. Your sunbather is truly basking in it. He looks so restful.
No time to say hello goodbye, though, if one hopes to catch up with a certain rushing rabbit.
The Rabbit Hole -
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Arizona B&W#175 has an ethereal landscape feel, Michael. I’d like to travel that undulating trail into the distant hills. Who knows where it might lead?
Wherever that may be, I’d like to be dressed appropriately, or even better, with a flair for whimsey. Your Mad Hat with its feather, plume and even a hint of veil would be just the ticket, Hans. I should like to wear it even with no where to go but in my mind. Today, for sure ’twould be the shore ~ to celebrate World Oceans Day.
Ocean Emotion -
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Thanks Keelin for your kind words. Clouds really do lend to the emotional impact of a perception since they are of so little tangible reality. How one feels ,or is emotionally impacted ,when seeing a cloud or a cloud photo is just as real to the person as anything. Texture, contrast and movement seem to help creating the impact. Your baby brought an Aww!
Something different
Arizona B&W#180
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Back to Black (and White). Great cloud carrying a little one Keelin. I saw a fish with cleaning fish in it. Love it.
And a great first post by Trevor with lots of dynamics. I look forward for more Trevor!
And the good vibrations go on in this thread. Great play of lines in #179 Michael.
Scary or Friendly Looking?
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Love the tones and subtle shadings you achieved in #189, Michael — a wonderful watercolor effect.
As for Scary or Friendly, Hans, I can see both in your fantastic clouds above. But, of course, only one or the other at a time. So much of perception is determined by mood and the mind’s tendencies. If I gaze at the classic optical illusion of the young girl/old woman, what I see first will likely depend on how recently I’ve looked in the mirror. ;)
Below, another ambiguous cloud formation. Do you see a young pup swimming or a two-headed sea dragon—or something else entirely (at least for a moment)?
Either Or Or? -
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It’s no surprise you can see both creatures, Hans, as you have a keen skill for such vision. As for mood, mine tends to tip easily towards the amusement end of the scale, even in ambiguous situations. If I do happen to glimpse the ‘old lady’ in the mirror, at least she is usually smiling. At nearly 70, that seems to keep the best wrinkles in place!
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Dark And Light And ?
Greek Corinthian Columns
Wink!
No Dimension Known
Speckled Feather
Angle Of Detangle
Now It’s Curling
The Dunes In Moonlight
Night Light
Spring Sail
Stream Over Stones
Still Tuning Up
In Awe
Branch Of A Feathery Feather Tree
Typewriter Dreams
Swimming Through Uncertainty
Shivers
The Rabbit Hole
Flying Fur
Another Rabbit?!
Ocean Emotion
Good Vibrations
Too Many Ideas All At Once
Either Or Or?
Half-Sun In Full Splendor
Friday Fibrillation
Wavy Gravy
Diced vs. Shredded
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