Under the Bridge

[mbrager]

I looked at this and agree with Marko about B&W. There is a lot more detail to be found in the grain of the boards, and the conversion should bring those out much more. But I think it needs less contrast and more brightness. All the shadow areas, and especially the left side boards have hidden detail that dodging would bring out. Can I show you what I mean?

[Matt K.]

I looked at this and agree with Marko about B&W. There is a lot more detail to be found in the grain of the boards, and the conversion should bring those out much more. But I think it needs less contrast and more brightness. All the shadow areas, and especially the left side boards have hidden detail that dodging would bring out. Can I show you what I mean?

go wild, Michael ... I just did a quick conversion, actually, I did not even desaturate, I just switched from RGB to Greyscale ... is this better? If not, show me please .....

[mbrager]

Yes, second try is better with more detail visible to me. Wood is so beautiful because it retains so much detail, no matter how it was processed, cut, painted, planed, chopped, etcetera. The wood here has a lot of beautiful markings from grain and knots.
I did this in Silver Efex. There are a few places where dodging leaves obvious marks (darkest areas where no detail is available). You can see more detail in the main boards, but also in the dark areas, and even in the shadow area in the three beams on the right side. I considered selectively coloring the green tinted areas too.

[asnow]

Sorry, I think I'm like Bambi. This one doesn't do a lot for me. Mind you I do prefer it in B&W.