Making this B/W Image pop

[mtpfamily]

The wife likes the B/W pictures so I decided to do one. Just having an artistic block. This is my B/W version but to me just doesn't stand out. Maybe I am putting to much in to it. Any thoughts?

[TommyO]

After viewing in PS and playing with midtones, etc., I decided it may really just be the way the original lighting was set up. It would have been nice to have the light reflected onto her face in order to remove all those shadows.
The only cure now would be to do a lot of work in PS. You could try something quick on the face just to see if you agree or not.
I think the rest is fine, based upon your likes and dislikes.
A few might be temped to remove the fence also, adding back something less distracting.
Good luck with it !

[mtpfamily]

The original lighting was late afternoon sun. Which was hard to deal with even with a polarized lens and UV filter. Been better if there was shade or cloud cover. I agree the shadows on her face from the hair need to be removed. Which will take a little bit of time. I dont like the fence either. I did burn the fence so it wasnt blown out white. Could crop the picture more and just bring her face in. Here is a picture of her facing the sun that is in progress and to me is a little green and eyes to dark.

[smathis]

Shadows on the face, stray hairs, and background are distracting. The crop is also a little harsh as well. I would mask the fence out and drop the highlights down substantially so it's not competing with the face for attention. For the shadows on the face, like Tommy said you're just going to have to put some work in on removing them. Same with the stray hairs..

[mtpfamily]

Working on it know just going to take a little time. Will reopost the image when it is done.

[Peer K]

Something like this perhaps?

Originally Posted by mtpfamily

The wife likes the B/W pictures so I decided to do one. Just having an artistic block. This is my B/W version but to me just doesn't stand out. Maybe I am putting to much in to it. Any thoughts?

[Peter S]

Or maybe something like this??
I Need the practice with B&W

Peter

[0lBaldy]

I wanted to try also!

[0lBaldy]

See you added another one... just did a HDR and tonemapped this one

[mtpfamily]

Still working on the first pic. Will post it when I am done. Thanks for your input.

[chillin]

To convert this image I used plug-in nik B/W Conversion:Tonal Enhancer.

[mtpfamily]

Thanks for all your input and tries. After some research and fiddling around I figured out that I can get some excelent B/W with using cureves. They are not quit a silver tone look but the more I practice with the curves they will get there. thanks again and will post my result when I am finished.