Rainy Day Runners

[CR3Snapper]

I took this picture whilst away in November. I had just taken a few shots when the local running team came past in their bright red tops. Thought this made a far more interesting shot than the ones I'd just taken.

Though I have also got a colour version.

What do you think. Mono or colour?

[CR3Snapper]

Sorry. Forgot settings.

ef 24-105 at 40mm
f10
iso 400
1/100
Av
Flash

[markgozz]

I think the mono one works better but the image looks a bit over exposed mainly on the houses which is a shame , also the rain doesn't stand out very well which may be down to the exposure . Your setting states you used flash but I'm not sure it would have made much of an impact in this situation .

Mark

[CR3Snapper]

Thanks Mark. The original wasn't over exposed. (I checked the histogram - Had clipped shadows, but a small gap on the highlight side) I'm afraid that was me in trying to make the rain more visible. I have another edit in the mono...


The trouble is now I feel it is a bit dark

[JonnyM]

Colour without a doubt unless you make the entire photo black and white. Just curious as to where the photo was taken.

[John B.]

Originally Posted by CR3Snapper

What do you think. Mono or colour?

I prefer the color photos. I have that selective color option on my Nikon D5100 but so far haven't really found a good use for it, and haven't saved anything I took with it.

[markgozz]

I don't think it's too dark in fact I think you need it on the gloomy side to reflect the weather conditions so I think I would go even further , I had a look at the histograms for the two shots side by side and the first was definitely over exposed where the second is spot on .

What I find amazing is how out of favour colour popping or selective colouring is not sure if it's because it's been done too much or it's just a trend that's out of fashion , personally I think if it adds to the story of the image then why not .

Mark

[CR3Snapper]

Originally Posted by JonnyM

Colour without a doubt unless you make the entire photo black and white. Just curious as to where the photo was taken.

Thanks Johnny. Unfortunately the runners merged in to the background which is why they're popped. I wasn't too sure myself either.
This was taken in Santa Cruz in Madeira.

John B, This was achieved in photoshop elements. My camera is not very clever.

Mark, I guess that could be a result of my editing attempts, as obviously its the same image. I should really of checked myself. Something I shall try to do in future. It's strange, because i always check the histogram when taking photos, but never think to look at it after editing.
As for trends, I don't worry about that. Just do my own thing. Perhaps because I see myself as a novice, I find even when trying old hat techniques like milky water, that I get excited at the results.
'personally I think if it adds to the story of the image then why not Absolutely.

Thanks for all your opinions, greatly appreciated.

[John B.]

Originally Posted by CR3Snapper

As for trends, I don't worry about that. Just do my own thing. Perhaps because I see myself as a novice, I find even when trying old hat techniques like milky water, that I get excited at the results.
'personally I think if it adds to the story of the image then why not Absolutely.

The first time I saw selective coloring was in the 'Schindler's List' movie. The whole movie was done in black and white. At the end a scene was shot where dead bodies were being carted away, and a little girl in a red coat was one of the victims. Talk about emotional! But it gave that scene something that could not have happened any other way. Everyone in the theater came away with tears.

Concerning trends, we are of the same mind. I was told that my tastes are irrelevant even in my own photos that I take for myself. I was told that "current trends blah blah blah..." When people tell me things like that, and continue attacking me despite explaining the way I see it, they get blocked. So go for what pleases you. If others don't like it, they can go jump in a lake.

[JonnyM]

This could be a good example to practice black and white conversion techniques as there are ways and means to achieve separation of the tones other than colour popping. Normally I'd advocate visualising a scene in black and white before taking the picture but it seems you've a good idea of what you wanted to achieve here so why not? I don't use Elements so can't really advise you as to the best approach there except don't just desaturate the image. I often use a black and white adjustment layer or the 'Channel Mixer' to get greater control in CS4.

Probably teaching granny to suck eggs but if not give it a whirl you may be surprised at the results.