Chasing Rainbows
A few days ago as I was driving back from Bozeman, MT to my cabin, I witnessed the most amazing rainbow. I feel very secure in my manliness in saying I happen to like rainbows….I grew up in the 70′s when those cool little transparent rainbow stickers were the ticket. My sister and I would always be on the lookout for the end of the rainbow because we figured a pot of gold would go a long way to supporting our candy habit . But, today I’m much older and wiser. I realize there’s no pot of gold or leprechauns to be found but I still smile whenever I see one and if I have a camera in tow you can bet I’m photographing it .
Every once in a while I like to go against my own conventional wisdom. Today’s image was one of those times I decided that the light was more important than the color. I converted the image to black and white using Silver Efex Pro and then imported it back into Lightroom for further processing. In the end, I felt the black and white version was simply more interesting and dynamic than if it had been in color. Sometimes, for me at least, it’s about changing things up and simply searching for the right feel.
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This entry was posted on Friday, August 6th, 2010 at 9:12 am. It is filed under General, How to.
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Gotta admit…when I first saw this, I thought – a B&W rainbow? Huh? But I get it. And I got the right feel. Helps me think about things in a new way.
You can’t post anything about rainbows these days without someone referencing Yosemitebear on YouTube and his double rainbow madness. I will try to refrain. I can see what you are talking about John. The light in this is amazing. Can’t afford to get Nik Silver EfexPro at the moment although so many people are raving about it. I’ll have to remain satisfied with LR3′s B&W conversion for now. How do you find LR3 on its own for B&W? Good, competent or bad? Better than LR2?
Your decision to go against “conventional wisdom” was a good one. This makes for a stunning b&w image! Silver Efex Pro, huh? I’ll have to look into it.
I like this rainbow picture. I see your posts from time to time and find them interesting and inspirational. I like the irony of something so colorful being represented without color. Like you said “light was more important than color for this image” I am not a photographer but I agree, This photo is amazing. I think you were very lucky to be in that spot at that moment with your camera.
I guess that must be part of the thrill of being a photographer!
Well I LOVE it. To tell you the truth, I am a bit weary of all the talk about rainbows lately. A fresh perspective like this makes me smile again
It isn’t often that someone desaturates a rainbow. That takes some guts but it paid off big. Very nice photo!
This is absolutely amazing! It lends to imagination and sent mine into overtime. I found myself wondering what it was like in color. However, I remember when pictures were mostly in black and white. I have been playing a bit more in black and white since the lion in Chicago really tickled my creative side.
Marci,
It’s really nice to hear from you again. You need to join me in Chicago again for another seminar…;)
This is stunning. From the range of tones to the way you’ve composed it so that the rainbow is setting off the curve of the hill… just beautiful.
Erin,
Thanks for the comment….
Very nice outcome on that john
Thanks Greg