Slickrock and Shadow

  Clouds Take Over Black and White photography is much more than subtracting color.  Contrast, sharpness and texture can all be pushed further in monochrome images.  Pushing those limits with color results in a fake-looking image.  Pushing those same things in black and white usually results in a superior eye-catching artistic creation.   As a good rule of thumb, if color does not add to the image or if color is distracting, then conversion to monochrome will make that image stronger.   Once you've made the jump to monochrome, increasing the contrast, emphasizing selective highlights and darkening those shadows makes your compositional statement scream for attention.  No color leaves the composition to stand on its' own.  No color prevents hair color or white balance issues from distracting.  No color make the viewer look and study longer and deeper than they otherwise would.   I'm just scratching the surface of something ...

Grasses are thick, making it hard to spot the water Great Salt Lake's Shoreline Preserve State Park is the perfect sunset stroll.  The distances are do-able, everything is flat and the views vary enough from place to place to keep everyone happy.  Fall and Spring are pleasant times, thought the mid-day winter might be OK too.  If you get the timing right, birds might be migrating through the area, though that was not my passion.  I enjoyed the sunset over the lowland marshes and really liked the two lookout towers.  They give new perspectives and serve as good photo subjects.  Bonus!  Make the journey.  You won't be disappointed.   Two towers at the Preserve Reflecting pond Curling Boardwalk