@Ian Etherington So, a couple of independent reviews, similar feedback and same suggestions for improvement. That is so useful and valuable! Thank you Ian.

@Roger Hinchliffe Hi Roger, Thank you for your comments. I absolutely agree that a wider shot must continue the mist; it was indeed that ethereal look I was going for. I also take on board your thoughts about the large baulks of timber and chain and I will definately try some options there. Thanks again!

@Ian Etherington Hi Ian, I like this image a lot. I like the light on the water, the sweeping bay, the intersecting tree, the chimneys. For whatever reason, I am currently enjoying high contrast b&w photos with fewer mid tones. I have looked at your image and thought about what, if anything, I would have done differently. I considered options for the sky and for the foreground grass. But “nope”. If I had captured and edited the image this way, I’d be very happy!

@Richard Gill Hi Richard, To my eye, these are beautiful! Can I assume that you are using the Pop Ventosa technique? Or a variant of it? I have seen quite a few images using this method, but I don’t remember any that were b&w, so that’s interesting. For me, a key positive in your photos is the background which supports the main subject tree with a woodland context. I have seen other Ventosa-style images where the background seemed completely out of place. If I had created these images, I might have tried adding just a tad more contrast, but that’s just a personal preference, and I realise there are bits of the main tree trunk that could not be made any darker. The only other thing relates to your third photo. There is an artefact of the technique that has created a small “swirl”, it’s a third of the way from the left of the frame, and a quarter way from the top. Once I saw it, I couldn’t not see it, and now my eye is distracted by it. Maybe there’s a way to de-emphasise this? If indeed, it’s the Ventosa method you are using, I have tried it a few times but have never been happy with the results. The challenge for me has been finding the right tree / subject. Hence I am looking forward to seeing your YT to get your take on it. Once again, love the images!

@Richard Gill Hi Richard, here is my best go at Ventosa to date. Hmmm…not great.

I think this is a creative idea that was well spotted and executed! I would have thought this does actually meet the brief?

@Roger Hinchliffe Thank you Roger.