Digital to B & W: I did only B & W photography for over 50 years (along with a few color slides). Over the past few years I have moved into Digital but still love the B & W look.

Mcwey Loc: Fort Collins, CO

I did only B & W photography for over 50 years (along with a few color slides).
Over the past few years I have moved into Digital but still love the B & W look.
Wondering what programs those of you who convert color use that "Works"?
Just looking for suggestions.
Thanks
Monty

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Mcwey wrote:

I did only B & W photography for over 50 years (along with a few color slides).
Over the past few years I have moved into Digital but still love the B & W look.
Wondering what programs those of you who convert color use that "Works"?
Just looking for suggestions.
Thanks
Monty

NIK Collection does a great job. But LR and PS also do a good job if you know what you're doing. Read and experiment.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

I've been happy with the results using Photoshop CC. sometimes the basic B&W convertor in PS works, sometimes I like the results using ACR (Adobe's RAW convertor) their options are a little different

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I use Photoshop. The Image > Adjustments menu works well for all of my conversions.
--Bob

Mcwey wrote:

I did only B & W photography for over 50 years (along with a few color slides).
Over the past few years I have moved into Digital but still love the B & W look.
Wondering what programs those of you who convert color use that "Works"?
Just looking for suggestions.
Thanks
Monty

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

I have been partial to Topaz B&W Effects and Nik Silver Efex as tools for B&W conversion/editing. Frequently, I import color images into Lightroom v5.7 (non-CC) and convert there before forwarding the image to one of the editors I mentioned. I also use Topaz Texture Effects and, for HDR processing, Photomatix Pro. /Ralph

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Mcwey wrote:

I did only B & W photography for over 50 years (along with a few color slides).
Over the past few years I have moved into Digital but still love the B & W look.
Wondering what programs those of you who convert color use that "Works"?
Just looking for suggestions.
Thanks
Monty

MacPhun Tonality, will be available soon for PC platform; right now, only Mac platform.
Nik SilverEffects
Lightroom

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

Topaz B&W Effects 2, Nik Silver Efex, Lightroom and Photoshop...I never know where it's gonna go, but loooooove B&W!

Mcwey Loc: Fort Collins, CO

Thanks all 😃
Really appreciate the input!
Monty

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I use Gimp and Franzis Black and White projects.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Mcwey wrote:

Thanks all 😃
Really appreciate the input!
Monty

It's all there in Lightroom. Fro the Develop module/Basic, click on Black and White and begin adjusting the exposure, contrast, highlight, etc sliders. It will do the same thing as Nix Silver Efx or Topaz Black and White, without the automated presets.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Don't most photo editors provide a means of changing from color to B&W??

You'd almost have to perform a parallel test to look for subtle differences.

mackphotos Loc: Washington, DC

What about doing B/W in camera?

digitalexplr Loc: Central Missouri

mackphotos wrote:

What about doing B/W in camera?

Exactly. If you prefer B&W check you setting to see if taking original in B&W is an option. With both my Pentax and Canon I have the option of shooting in B&W or making a copy of the original in B&W and being able to export both color and B&W. Although I usually take in color then use PP to make a b&w version.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Mcwey wrote:

I did only B & W photography for over 50 years (along with a few color slides).
Over the past few years I have moved into Digital but still love the B & W look.
Wondering what programs those of you who convert color use that "Works"?
Just looking for suggestions.
Thanks
Monty

The first part is easy - and you have a lot of options - like NIk Silver Efex, Topaz and On1 all have plugins that work with Photoshop and Lightroom or can function stand alone if you get the entire suite.

You can also use Lightroom and Photoshop without resorting to plugins. Here are 7 methods - and each will give you a different "look" depending on the source material.

https://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/7-black-and-white-photoshop-conversion-techniques--photo-488

The much harder part is to get a decent print without some sort of color cast. You may try to look for a print lab that has a good reputation with black and white images, or if you choose to print yourself, an Epson printer and a piece of software called QuadTone RIP - along with some good baryta paper from Canson, Hahnemühle and others will provide the deepest blacks and the longest tonal range compared to other non-baryta papers.

QTR supports a wide range of Epson printers both with Ultrachrome Ink (Epson OEM), and other inksets.

http://www.quadtonerip.com/html/QTRrequire.html

You should also consider making a printer profile for your paper(s) and ink(s)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Mcwey wrote:

I did only B & W photography for over 50 years (along with a few color slides).
Over the past few years I have moved into Digital but still love the B & W look.
Wondering what programs those of you who convert color use that "Works"?
Just looking for suggestions.
Thanks
Monty

I do very little B&W conversion, but Lightroom works well for me.