Alcatraz Lighthouse, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

This lighthouse was taken at Alcatraz Island. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 brought thousands of ships to San Francisco Bay, creating an urgent need for a navigational lighthouse. In response, Alcatraz lighthouse #1 was erected and lit in the summer of 1853.

After 56 years of use, Alcatraz lighthouse #1 was torn down in 1909 to make way for the construction of Alcatraz prison. Alcatraz lighthouse #2 (shown in the photo) was located next to the cell house and completed on December 1, 1909. This 84-foot tower of concrete contained a smaller, fourth-order lens. In 1963, the fresnel lens of Alcatraz lighthouse #2 was replaced with an automated rotating beacon.

I've been experimenting with B&W medium lately. Your critiques will be valuable to me as I'm still trying to learn on what works best for the medium. There are so many articles out there about this medium that you get an information overload. Nothing beats constructive feedbacks ... thanks in advance for your critiques.

japiey, Wandering_Dan, siolaw, dareco, riclopes, balatrek, Bruno40, jonathan_hart, gary91, cunejo200, gunbud, edytungkal, sayan, Budapestman, John_F_Kennedy, Photo65Net, gracious, papagolf21, saylan-cb, leonorkuhn, Charo, bakes888, Muse heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

humayun (3129) 2007-11-24 18:24

Hello kiwi-explorer..........
Wow, Wonderful contrast in this picture, Nicely played with BW. Composition is very good. if you post the original one in WS, it will be helpful for us in works.

Wandering_Dan (3449) 2007-11-24 18:54

Hi, Renier -

Looks to me like you have B&W pretty well under control. About the only comment I would make, looking at this shot, is that you might try darkening the Blue channel; the sky doesn't quite look right. (On a different subject, the lighthouse is tilted, which can be corrected with cropping.)

Otherwise, good composition and placement. The foreground elements are handled very well in this medium.

Keep it up!

Dan

siolaw (38294) 2007-11-24 19:27

Hi Renier,
Interesting series about Alcatraz.... The desaturation gives it an even more 'antique' feel... Good POV to obtain a well balanced compo with that lighthouse, balanced by these ruins in FG...Nice
Laurent

vincz (19113) 2007-11-24 21:08

I love these ruins, the feeling of abandoned land. You choice of black and white is perfect. A very interesting image.

keribar (43841) 2007-11-24 22:30

Hello Renier
The picture is interesting for two reasons, first it shows an historical place, but you have added a foreground with lots of rubble, wh,ich makes it look like an " After war " scene.
Now the picture is close to BW but not quite: What I do when I want to get one is go to Image,Mode and Grayscale, and then play with the contrast or in some cases with shadow and highlights in order to obtain all tones of gray and black.

I wish you a good Sunday - Izzet

bracasha75 (24591) 2007-11-24 23:39

Hello Renier
The famous "Rock" in B&W and the light house is good presented
Great job
TFS
Cheeers,Braca

balatrek (7455) 2007-11-25 0:09

Hi Renier,

An interesting image, is a place well-known and famous, it seems somewhat deteriorated, I thought it was better preserved, b&w creates a different atmosphere, seems like a scene of war, I like the perspective and position of the lighthouse as a interest center in the composition.

Regards
José

riclopes (35577) 2007-11-25 0:31

Olá Renier, good series of Alcatraz, so far. Creative compositions, fine presentations. The balance of this triangle of ruins with the lighthouse works very well and the b&w is a good choice. I would like to see some more contrasts though.
Cheers,
ricardo

japiey (10163) 2007-11-25 1:04

Hi Renier,

Excellent document, well made and presented in B/W.
Salutes and my wishes for a lovely day :)

jean paul

jasmis (58653) 2007-11-25 1:21

Impressive reporters' photo. Smart B&W mode. Just proper here, I presume.
Regards!

Bruno40 (6662) 2007-11-25 2:01

Renier,
Honestly, I have to tell you that IMHO the B&W did not work well here. It looks too "blue" and with a small range of grays. I also think that it is a bit tilted.
I am posting a WS, I would like to know your comments.
unlike others that also found that there was something not right with the B&W but still gave you 2 points, I will use the full range of smiles today.
TFS
jorge

PD: now I realize that you did not allow the option to post a WS... :-(

[workshop] [compare]

Nicou (193806) 2007-11-25 2:42

Hello,

quelle belle photo NB, vraiment bien réussie, l'effet de soulèvement est parfait,, quel enchvêtrement de fer et de béton desvant ce beau phare, mangigique cadrage.

Bravo et belle journée

Nicou

jonathan_hart (21276) 2007-11-25 4:16

hello Renier
well composed and i like the way you desaturated it
regards
jo

jplebrun (21208) 2007-11-25 5:01

Hi Renier
ce cliché en B/W se prête bien au sujet de cette célèbre prison. Belle composition, bien vu.
Amitiés
Jean-Pierre

dareco (17136) 2007-11-25 6:10

I like the very unique tones in this one! Have never seen any quite like this. A fabulous picture of the lighthouse. I've really enjoyed your pictures of this place!!! TFS

stefanocer (10642) 2007-11-25 6:17

Veri interesting composition , well seen and done.
Stefano.

gary91 (15348) 2007-11-25 9:52

Hello Renier,
It seems that your mastering of b&w conversion is very good. I like the processing with this nice touch of sepia tone wich gives an antique atmosphere. Very well composed image as well. This is good work.
Have a nice evening.
Best regards, Christian

cunejo200 (7281) 2007-11-25 11:03

Hello Ren, I must say this is handsomely composed, and tech details are quite good. I have not posted a b&w photo. I guess if I were to emphasize graphism, form, and texture - this would be an appropriate medium. I have just gotten back from a very early morning photo trip of the city. I was interrrogated by a police for being too close to the base of a local bridge. Grabe kaayo and security dito sa WDC. Greetings! Danilo

gunbud (34066) 2007-11-25 19:03

Hello Renier,
Excellent subject matter for the b&w medium. The cold concrete and steel ruins make a striking somber statement that goes so well with the haunting history of this infamous island.

Regards, Tom

edytungkal (4551) 2007-11-25 19:28

Interesting captured the famous of Alcatrac, i think the b&w format is the best choice make it more classic and it looks like from the old one, nice try Renier. Thanks

daniel

sayan (2617) 2007-11-25 23:24

Hi Renier,

Nice composition with the ruins on the right. I like the b/w too. Good pov here.

regards

Sayan

Budapestman (82620) 2007-11-26 2:19

Hi Renier,
This is great, really impressive and spectacular shot. The POV is superb I like the stunning details and the particular atmosphere. Effective choice the B&W, clarity is superb. Very well done! Have a nice week
George

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2007-11-26 2:47

Wonderful shot. The contrast between the dark and light created an exciting photo.
Best wishes,
Achim

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-11-26 10:11

Renier,
The PP you made here is very interesting.
I like the metallic colors and tones, providing a cold atmosphere.
Nice job,
Regards,
JB.

fanch (0) 2007-11-26 10:14

Hello Renier ,

Not a place for holidays ...!
Your fine compo gives the picture a particular feeling , showing with this photo the severe atmosphere of the place . Using desaturation was a good idea . Interesting .

Regards ,

gracious (20025) 2007-11-26 11:55

Hello Renier,
I liked this captured of yours in a B/W format with a good atmosphere and mood!
great pov with total clarity and details on the lighthouse!
p/s I was looking for your posting at the NZ gallery for a while and found out it's in the US gallery, sorry for a bit late!
all the best
Tony

Clementi (52514) 2007-11-26 22:04

Ciao Renier,
nice B&W shot, seems that us there is remained little of blue.
I love these ruins,
the feeling of abandoned ligthouse.
Giorgio

Paolo (41258) 2007-11-27 2:05

Hi Renier, excellent one, with a beautful b/w that give an old style touch to the view and perfect for this type of ruins view.
excellent POV too and good quality.
thanks, ciao

papagolf21 (152607) 2007-11-27 2:15

Bonjour, cher Renier,
Alcatraz ! un nom qui résonne dans toutes les têtes évoquant de nombreux films.
Le noir et blanc est parfait pour présenter cet aspect d'Alcatraz ayant perdu toute sa force ! Seul le phare garde une posture majestueuse !
Très bonne prise de vue.
Amitiés.
Philippe

crckt (7222) 2007-11-27 3:15

H Renier,
B/W looks great here, gves a look of old that goes well with the subject.
Well done,
Shaeri

saylan-cb (12738) 2007-11-27 3:31

Hi Renier
İnteresting shot!A very good composition and great B/W work.
Well done.
TFS/Regards

leonorkuhn (16237) 2007-11-27 8:09

Hi Renier,

I think that B&W is a good choice for detach the architectural details mainly if the scenery has others elements like this one. Excellent sense of depth, great sharpness.

Well done!
Leonor

brevbrev14 (140) 2007-11-27 8:50

Hi r enier, it is a bit strange this image...seems a black and white without contrast..i don't know..
i am not sure about the treatment here..
anyway nice image
ciao!
valeria

kiks (12805) 2007-11-27 9:12

Hi Renier, i think that B&W works perfectly for this ruin. I gives more strengh to the image. Also like the way you include the ruin at the right side.
TFS
KIKs

jaywalker (16105) 2007-11-27 11:20

Hi Renier, An interesting urban photo, the B/W medium was a great choice, very good light & very sharp, you have composed the shot wonderfully well, kind regards Wilson.

jackart (6702) 2007-11-27 12:29

Hello Renier!

Legendary place well known from famous Hollywood movies. I'm envious! Excellent shot, great low POV and perfect frame. Superb!

Regards
Jacek

Charo (51290) 2007-11-27 14:28

Hola Renier,
Estupenda composición a la que le va muy bien el B/N con ese ligero tono de color.
Buen trabajo
Cordialmente
Charo

bakes888 (18499) 2007-11-28 23:57

Hi Renier. Nice photo. I like the balance you have achieved with the composition but I’m no expert on BW. You seem to have a good range of tones but maybe the whites are lacking a little? With the little BW I have tried I found the easiest method is to split the image into its colour channels then pick the best one to work with. Hope this helps and good luck with your future BW trials. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

Muse (35030) 2007-11-29 1:21

Hi Renier,
The BN is perfectly convenient for this scene. We have the impression that soon the lighthouse(will not exist any more.
A good centring it against dive and of attractive contrasts.
Best regards
Denise

barni (15751) 2007-12-02 12:51

Hello Renier
La désaturation est excellente et donne beaucoup d'effet à l'image.
Regards
Christophe