Alcatraz Window, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

When I visited Alcatraz Island, I just can't help feeling the depressing atmosphere of the place because of its sad and violent history. For the guards it must have been like a prison too being stuck in an island. I took this shot from one of the guard lookouts. To capture the atmosphere, I decided the B&W medium. It is a good view but for the guards, the outlook must just be as bleak considering the sight of freedom, family, and city life is not far away.

In my last B&W posting I asked for your valuable feedback as I'm still learning in dealing with the B&W medium. I tried to incorporate what I've learnt from your feedbacks when I was processing this photo. Many thanks again.

Photo65Net, saylan-cb, zhelach, cunejo200, Budapestman, gracious, Partha_c, dareco, gunbud, John_F_Kennedy, edytungkal, Benedict, ChrisJ, jhm, siolaw, stego, dip, Atousa, mikeo, Charo heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-12-09 3:35

Salut Renier,
I like the BW you made on this one.
Contrasts underline perfectly the graphics provided by the compo itself.
Regards,
JB.

saylan-cb (12738) 2007-12-09 3:36

Hi Renier
THis is a great B/W work.Very nice composition and POV here,well done.
TFS/Regards

snunney (130967) 2007-12-09 3:47

Hello Renier,
A very good subject for the black and white treatment both photographically and a story medium. I like the silhouetted trees and the sight of the little yachts in the background. Good tonal work though it might have been nice if you could have a got a bit more detail in the brickwork around the window opening. However, only my personal opinion, still a very good photo.

zhelach (3626) 2007-12-09 3:56

Hello Renier!
Good choice - B&W! Nice composition, silhouettes and details!
TFS, regards, Zorica

Bruno40 (6662) 2007-12-09 4:09

Hi Renier,
I like the B&W tones very much now. You have learnt!!
Also, the composition is fantastic, a really good work
Well done pare
Jorge

jplebrun (21208) 2007-12-09 5:17

Bonjour Renier
Wow, superbe cliché le B/W donne toute un effet, beau travail.
Amicalement
Jean-Pierre

cunejo200 (7281) 2007-12-09 6:29

Hello Ren,
The framing is exquisite. I share your sentiment about the grim atmosphere. I have visited this place more than 15 years ago. This is a good b&w treatment as the texture and form of the tree is emphasized. Regards, Danilo

Budapestman (82620) 2007-12-09 6:43

Hi Renier,
Dramatic image with splendid composition. I like the idea and the superb realization, the POV is great. Effective choice the B&W, Very well done! Have a nice Sunday
George

gracious (20025) 2007-12-09 9:23

Hello Renier,
Excellent composition in B/W format to brings out the atmosphere and mood regarding this history from the past, real suitable and the photo tells it all!
well done
cheers
Tony

jasmis (58653) 2007-12-09 11:28

Amazing photo with atmosphere corresponding with this extraordinary place.
Regards.

japiey (10163) 2007-12-09 14:17

Hi Renier,

Amazing image, fine in B/W.
A mystery hidden ....

Namasthe:)

jean paul

dareco (17136) 2007-12-09 14:58

This is really great! The b&w help capture the mood of this place. I'm told that it really is an 'eerie' place to visit. I love the old tree framed by the window. EXCELLENT picture!!!! TFS

gunbud (34066) 2007-12-09 18:19

Hello Renier,
The black and white medium suits the somber mood of this composition. Looking from the darkness of the cell block one can see the beauty of freedom without every being able to touch it. A vision of hope in a hopeless situation.
Regards, Tom

pboehringer (770) 2007-12-09 22:25

Renier,
the B&W conversion seems OK to me. I personally would have probably done more contrast but that is not so important. Very nice framing of the tree with the arch. I havenever been to this island, but I have the impression that the 360 degree view from there must be rewarding and hopefully was some relief for all the people that had to stay there.
Regards, Peter

UnTrained (0) 2007-12-09 22:59

Hi Renier,
nice graphical result for that black&white impression. The tree behind that arch is attracting. Good exposure on the tree and also the stones in the bow of the arch. I am not sure about the dark parts but don't have a hint at the moment.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

Partha_c (2029) 2007-12-10 0:55

Hi Renier. The B/W is the right medium here, in my opinion, to highlight the contours and contrasts.The yachts in the b/g added the desired depth. A perfect composition. Enjoyed and learnt too. Regards.
Partha

hatti52 (12786) 2007-12-10 3:02

Hi Renier,
wonderful perspective and very nice choise B&W
i like natural frame
compliments

bracasha75 (24591) 2007-12-10 3:45

Hello Renier
Just...what to saty...wonderful is not inaf...
well...Double wonderful
TFS
Cheers,Braca

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2007-12-10 5:51

What a beautiful B/W composition! Lovely framing and lighting!
Best wishes,
Achim

edytungkal (4551) 2007-12-10 18:07

The b&w format imagined the mysterious of this place, playing with almost silhouttes tree with the branches framed . I can see some interesting white sailing boat on the distance, a pity there is a pole on the right. Nevertheless it still a great presentation, thanks alot Renier...

daniel

Benedict (7076) 2007-12-10 20:32

hi renier,
your BW medium choice is 'compatible' for this one as it gives the feel of the inmates' depressing milieu inside this penitentiary. additionally, using the arch of the window to compose the 'freedom' beyond outside, invokes the senses!
excellent composition and POV.
benedict

jaywalker (16105) 2007-12-11 0:37

Hi Renier, I love the way you have framed this tree with the arch, I can see what you mean by bleak, the tree alone blocks out some of the view & this could not have helped the guards mood much, for me B/W assists detail, when looking at a close portrait of a persons face, B/W brings out every line, crack & blemish, in your photo it is slightly different as you have pointed out, it adds low mood of dark & desperate, a very good photo, kind regards Wilson.

ChrisJ (171852) 2007-12-11 1:21

Hi Renier

Nice use of the curved, semi circular arch, as aframing device for the trees. Excellent graphism & sharpness with a superb tonal range & good contrast. Tfs!

izmirli (3989) 2007-12-11 1:34

merhaba dear renier
beautiful composition.wonderful black white silhouettes.well done.
best regards.
gürkan akçakır.

jhm (211736) 2007-12-11 3:23

Hello Renier,

I like the curve with the splendid through look, with the tree and the small sailships in background.
Maybe can you the second picture placing in colour Renier, than get everyone are part!
Vry well done, thanks for sharing.

Have a nice day,
John.

siolaw (38294) 2007-12-11 9:19

Hi Renier,
The B&W conveys the atmosphere probably better than color... it also brings us back in time.;. This tree maybe was not there when the prison was in use, so the guards can check out the surroundings !
Cheers
Laurent

Scharan (14144) 2007-12-11 11:57

Linda vista através do arco Renier...um olhar criativo, muito bonita esta foto.
Parabéns!
GA
Vera

stego (24132) 2007-12-11 14:19

Hi Renier,
It's a great image, very intense, with a depressing atmosphere that suits well the place. The arch makes a great frame, the twisted tree is very dramatic, looking like being there disable the view to the bay, where those white sails enhance a certain sense of freedom.
You did a reasonably good job with the shooting and the PP, but some traces of the latter is noticeable, namely those areas where you selectively darkened the sea, where there is thin lighter line surrounding the trunks. Maybe that was needed, because I suspect that some more contrast wouldn't be bad; that is: the tree could be much darker.
Regards, José.RE

hay_kes (31439) 2007-12-11 14:23

Hi Renier,
Very nice B&W composition vith excellent natural frame.TFS.
Regards.

hAyAti

crckt (7222) 2007-12-11 19:11

Hi Renier,
I like the POV here, showing the tree from the lookout. In my opinion if you had included the whole arch, it might have looked more complete..just a thought.
Regards,
Shaeri

dip (21408) 2007-12-11 21:51

Hi Renier,
well framed and composed,I think the B/W choice is the best for this composition,because of its "sad and violent history",
very well done!
Greetings,
Dimitris.

Atousa (7131) 2007-12-11 22:20

Salam Renier,
This b & w shot reveals sadness here..the form of trees are very interesting as if they are also a help for the guards not letting the prisoners see the free world!
Your note just reminded me of the sad film I had seen about this prison.
Best wishes,
AtousA

jurek1951 (42198) 2007-12-12 0:41

Hi Renier,
Excellent B/W shot.
Lovely details, great POV and excellent composition.
Georg

mikeo (12129) 2007-12-14 1:19

Hi Renier

Very interesting composition and perfect choice of B/W colours, really...Excellent POV, good sharpness...I like it!

Best greetings
Aga

evanrizo (462) 2007-12-17 2:02

Hi Renier, the frame, the natural frame gives a fascinated effect on these spectacular trees!-:)
The contrasts are superb.
Have a nice day.
Evangelos

Angshu (56760) 2007-12-19 1:27

Hello Renier
Good use of the curved, semi circular arch, as a framing device for the trees & the sea beyond. The tones are very nice. I might have wanted the original colour shot to be posted as a WS, for comparison. the tree with it's branches and mesh like branchlets look best in B&W..also like the small triangles in white of the sails in the BG. Good work!
Regards
Angshu

Charo (51290) 2008-01-19 5:19

Hola Renier,
Bella toma con esa desaturación total que le da mucho dramatismo a la imagen. Excelente encuadre.
Cordialmente
Charo

captainsgirl (3450) 2008-02-09 7:03

Hi Renier,
You certainly did portray the lonely feeling you experienced here, the old mangled tree seen through the window, black and white makes it so much more powerful, excellent shot . TFS
Donna:o)

jpphoto (465) 2008-04-01 13:00

Hello Renier ,
Super le N/B comme je les aimes , avec une images de cette beauté on ne parle pas ! on la contemple , dans chaque regard , chacun a sa penser A+ JP

francio64 (39888) 2008-09-30 14:33

Ciao Renier,
bella immagine. Gli alberi sembrano chiusi dentro una sfera di cristallo.
Ottima la scelta del bianco e nero, in quanto vengono messi maggiormente in risalto i dettagli, donando alla scena un aspetto quasi mistico.
Well done!
Francesco