Toning B&W images
Mar 23, 2020 11:40:22 #
I should say first of that I dislike sepia, here is a comparison of some of the tones that I use. Platinum is the one I use most often, it makes for much richer blacks and a slightly warmer image. I also favour the Silver Efex paper toner which is warmer.
I hope the differences show on the various monitors.
I hope the differences show on the various monitors.
Straight BW in PhotoShop
(Download)
Platinum - My homebrew
(Download)
S Efex Paper Toner #6 @60%
(Download)
Sepia
(Download)
Mar 23, 2020 11:42:32 #
Excellent demo, Graham! What does the home brew consist of, please? (Corona beer jokes notwithstanding 
)
)Mar 23, 2020 12:01:29 #
Graham Smith wrote:
I should say first of that I dislike sepia, here is a comparison of some of the tones that I use. Platinum is the one I use most often, it makes for much richer blacks and a slightly warmer image. I also favour the Silver Efex paper toner which is warmer.
I hope the differences show on the various monitors.
I hope the differences show on the various monitors.
That is a great comparison. The difference did show on my monitor. Subtle, but significant. Thanks for the ideas. I think it is time to expand my repertoire.
Erich
Mar 23, 2020 12:02:23 #
I haven't done much experimenting with B&W toning but I have tried using split toning on B&W which (in my very unprofessional opinion) works well. Have you tried anything like that? (I'm referring to very subtle levels of tint - subtler than you would use for monochrome tints).
It seems to me that no matter how carefully you choose a monochrome tone it will always be flatter than what split toning can achieve, plus split toning can add a bit of colour contrast on top of the B&W contrast without the unwanted effects of pushing the B&W contrast (i.e. the luminosity contrast). Plus you can choose warm, cool or you can balance warm and cool.
It seems to me that no matter how carefully you choose a monochrome tone it will always be flatter than what split toning can achieve, plus split toning can add a bit of colour contrast on top of the B&W contrast without the unwanted effects of pushing the B&W contrast (i.e. the luminosity contrast). Plus you can choose warm, cool or you can balance warm and cool.
Mar 23, 2020 18:12:21 #
R.G. wrote:
I haven't done much experimenting with B&W ton... (show quote)
Yes, split toning is a good way to go. I use it; but I should use it more.
erich
Mar 24, 2020 07:23:22 #
R.G. wrote:
I haven't done much experimenting with B&W ton... (show quote)
I have to admit, R.G. that I completely forgot to include split toning as my intention was to show that there are alternatives to the overused and abused sepia tint.
You are quite right about toning giving a more flat look to the image, sometimes this isn't a bad thing as the trend is to think that B&W must have a great deal of contrast, whereas, I think that a larger range of tones with good separation between them gives a more pleasing image. Of course a contrasty image is more suited to some pictures.
Split toning is very easy and infinitely variable in Silver Efex Pro
Mar 24, 2020 07:23:42 #
ebrunner wrote:
Yes, split toning is a good way to go. I use it; but I should use it more.
erich
erich
Mar 24, 2020 07:27:44 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Excellent demo, Graham! What does the home brew consist of, please? (Corona beer jokes notwithstanding )
)It was done with a PS action I concocted several years back and typically, I didn't note down the method
Mar 24, 2020 08:20:31 #
Im all ears when you talk about black and white processing. I downloaded the first two, and went about turning the first one into the second one. A slight increase in contrast with curves, then a warming filter corrected in channels. A small shift of the histogram to the right followed by a slight clipping of the lights produced identical histograms, and images that I could not tell apart. Doing this is the only way I can understand. There is no question that the home brew results in an image with a lot more impact. A very interesting exercise for me Graham. Thanks for posting this.
Mar 24, 2020 08:43:15 #
fergmark wrote:
Im all ears when you talk about black and white pr... (show quote)
Thanks Mark, I should also mention that ACR is a very good option for split toning.
EDIT: And don't to forget LightRoom.
Mar 24, 2020 08:44:01 #
ebrunner wrote:
That is a great comparison. The difference did show on my monitor. Subtle, but significant. Thanks for the ideas. I think it is time to expand my repertoire.
Erich
Erich
Thanks, Erich.
Mar 24, 2020 10:51:41 #
Mar 24, 2020 12:05:13 #
I've never liked sepia toning either. I did see one on this site that had such a light touch with it that it was OK. These are really nice, Graham, and really show the differences.
Mar 24, 2020 14:56:20 #
I like your platinum effect best Graham, it seems to add depth. I’m also a fan of split toning and by the sound of it you’re well aware of it’s possibilities. Interesting post.
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