Travelog: Capital Reef in B&W

[Jim Dockery]

I could hardly wait to retire so I could resist the desert SW in the fall. After two month long trips I've been surprised at how many of my shots lend themselves to black & white conversions (using Silver Efex Pro). The gorgeous contrasting colors of rock, fall leaves, and intense blue sky are obvious draws, but so is B&W emphasizing texture, structure, and dramatic clouds if you are lucky enough to have them.

Here is a selection from my new favorite park, Capital Reef, that I visited for the first time last fall.

Cohab Canyon Entrance

Capital Reef, Evening Shadows

Cohab Canyon Walls

Cohab Canyon Eroded Wall

Hickman Bridge Panorama

Sunset Tree, Capital Reef​

 

[Maggie Terlecki]

Wow, Jim - these are all amazing. I love the very contrasty look to the black and white; it works very well here. Although I love them all, I think the 3rd one may be my favorite.

Maggie

 

[James Lemon]

Hello Jim

A great set of images indeed !

 

[Bill McCarthy]

I could hardly wait to retire so I could resist the desert SW in the fall. After two month long trips I've been surprised at how many of my shots lend themselves to black & white conversions (using Silver Efex Pro). The gorgeous contrasting colors of rock, fall leaves, and intense blue sky are obvious draws, but so is B&W emphasizing texture, structure, and dramatic clouds if you are lucky enough to have them.

Here is a selection from my new favorite park, Capital Reef, that I visited for the first time last fall.

Cohab Canyon Entrance

Capital Reef, Evening Shadows

Cohab Canyon Walls

Cohab Canyon Eroded Wall

Hickman Bridge Panorama

Sunset Tree, Capital Reef​

Very nice captures, I like the compositional strength which seems to be enhanced by the black and white. Surely this is a magical set of images.

Best, Bill

 

[Andy brown]

Hi Jim.
These are all excellent images.
Sunset tree grabbed me immediately
It screams "American bald eagle morphed with "statue of liberty". That just might be iconic!

 

[Asher Kelman]

I could hardly wait to retire so I could resist the desert SW in the fall. After two month long trips I've been surprised at how many of my shots lend themselves to black & white conversions (using Silver Efex Pro). The gorgeous contrasting colors of rock, fall leaves, and intense blue sky are obvious draws, but so is B&W emphasizing texture, structure, and dramatic clouds if you are lucky enough to have them.

Here is a selection from my new favorite park, Capital Reef, that I visited for the first time last fall.

Cohab Canyon Entrance


Question is now, how and where would you print them. I'm using Bowhaus, a very well respected artist's print house near me in Venice Blvd, California. They are expert in B&W printing using a custom program with various great and black Canon pigment inks.

Capital Reef, Evening Shadows

Cohab Canyon Walls

Cohab Canyon Eroded Wall

Hickman Bridge Panorama

Sunset Tree, Capital Reef​

Interesting how they deserve and demand B&W. That happens when texture, form and lighting are the most important and attractive features and color has no overwhelmingly compelling voice. Still it would be interesting to also see the originals. I always learn from decisions like this. This tells us how someone who cares about the viewing experience really feels about different approaches.

All magnificent, Jim. But now what? Are they for printing for yourself and friends or for sale? The place I use is Bowhaus Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, who do expert color and B&W on Canon and Epson printers. They also mount them and frame them is need be and ship them FEDEX top your gallery or exhibition.

Bravo! .............but how come you get so much time off your regular schedule? My wife would have questions, LOL!

Asher

 

[Jarmo Juntunen]

Hi Jim, excellent series! All are great, but my absolute favourite is the Hickman Bridge.