[john crossley]

In continuous occupation since the 7th century, Lotherton takes its name from an Anglo-Saxon settler called Hluttor whose farm or 'tun' occupied the site in early times. By 1086 records suggest that a hall or manor house had been built here and, during the Middle Ages, a number of tenants are recorded as having lived on the site, including such well known Yorkshire families as the Nevilles and the de Hothams.

Thanks for looking.

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[stepheno]

Nice treatment that, John

[Rob Barron]

I like these both John except for the completely dark BG which is making the pictures look illogical. There is no way there can be all that light and detail on the house and beautifully even across the whole thing and yet have a completely black sky beyond it, especially with no obvious source of light in the front.

Because the second one has a clean skyline, it doesn't distract much and the image is really lovely but in the first one the trees play such a strong role in the image that the top skyline area looks too cut out. You could add a graduated mask from the top of the trees so that they are darker at the very top and grade down to the lit area so that the skyline isn't so obvious.

Don't get me wrong, these are both fine pictures, it's only the BGs that bother me.

Cheers,
Rob

[Dabhand16]

I have to agree with Rob here. I love the conversions, but the black sky does look so artificial, for me it is a spoiler.

The actual work here is excellent, it's just the result does not float my boat.

[simpbow]

Nice set of images.

[water]

Mmm..,agree both are nice shots.I love the angle/position you have taken no2 from,it was a 'masterly'['] choice.But I'm asking myself "was the sky very weak and John has tried this to see the result or was this the original intention?",and I obviously don't know the answer.I am imagining them with even a 'weak' sky cause I just aint sure about that black.
It is unusual.
I don't know.
I will be interested to hear what it does for others.

[JMitchell]

I agree with Rob about the first one not working, the tree is too much of an erratic shape to cut out, whereas I think what you were looking for worked well on the second one. Not sure it's my favourite effect, but an interesting idea nonetheless

[john crossley]

Thanks for the comments everyone, they are greatly appreciated.
The images are exactly as intended when I shot them. OK, not everyone likes a jet black sky, but without pushing the boundaries and trying new (or old) ideas, everybody would end up taking the same picture. We need a little bit of variety, don't we.

But, (and there's always a but) at the end of the day I take and publish pictures which please me. If others like them that's a real boost for the ego. If they don't, well.......

Thanks again for looking and commenting.

[water]

Originally Posted by john crossley

Thanks for the comments everyone, they are greatly appreciated.
The images are exactly as intended when I shot them. OK, not everyone likes a jet black sky, but without pushing the boundaries and trying new (or old) ideas, everybody would end up taking the same picture. We need a little bit of variety, don't we.

But, (and there's always a but) at the end of the day I take and publish pictures which please me. If others like them that's a real boost for the ego. If they don't, well.......

Thanks again for looking and commenting.

Exactly.
I'm still not sure about the skies but then I will admit to being a bit 'unadventurous' in my photography.If we are doing this as a hobby then first and foremost
we do it to please ourselves

[marcinklysewicz]

that is strange but i've noticed black sky after reading comments . and i think with that effect on sky you have very atmospheric photos here - kind of spooky but definitely interesting.