I've seen them before. I think they are dark yellow.
Read some of Harold Davis' books such as Monochromatic HDR Photography or The Photographer's Black & White Handbook. Shoot in your digital cameras RAW format (color) and follow some of his suggested processes. Harold Davis does most of his processing in color (loys of examples in both books) and converts to black & white prior to printing. Being color blind should not prevent you from producing excellent images. I use a Nikon D810 (no in camera B&W mode), am partially color blind in green and red, and produce photographs in both color and monochrome.
Thanks for the shout out to my b&w images. Made my day!
You are correct that B&W involves more than just removing color. I also shoot with a D7100. I always shoot in color and RAW format and do the color to B&W conversion in post processing. This gives me the most control over how each color will render in the gray scale. I like the SilverEfex plug-in that is part of the NIK collection (free download). It has many presets for you to explore as well as sliders to make your own settings. It also has a set of filters (as another member mentioned), that allow you to mimic the effects of putting filters on a camera with B&W film. The process is really a lot of fun. Just remember when you are shooting to look for lines, form, texture, contrast, etc., as color will not be there to help convey the feeling you are looking for.
Here is a twist for you. If you used to shoot film with real filters on the front of your lenses and B/W film in your camera (flavor brand to your taste) Try this. If you understood things like subtractive or adaptive results of the filters, dig out your stash of old filters in various sizes and color/tones.
Now, set your digital camera on "monochrome" and shoot through those filters as you did at one time with film. The results will surprise you and the missing need for post processing may please you.
I read a lot of techy and fumbling posts here on preferred methods of shooting B/W, but why not try what you learned years ago. On the camera's that offer film simulation, you can even set a film simulation matching what you shot on film three decades ago.
I've had fun with this just applying techniques learned long ago on film. I like it. Plus, I still get exercise on screwing on and spinning off all those old filters. You can't do that in Post Processing.
Kuzano wrote:
Here is a twist for you. If you used to shoot film with real filters on the front of your lenses and B/W film in your camera (flavor brand to your taste) Try this. If you understood things like subtractive or adaptive results of the filters, dig out your stash of old filters in various sizes and color/tones.
Now, set your digital camera on "monochrome" and shoot through those filters as you did at one time with film. The results will surprise you and the missing need for post processing may please you.
I read a lot of techy and fumbling posts here on preferred methods of shooting B/W, but why not try what you learned years ago. On the camera's that offer film simulation, you can even set a film simulation matching what you shot on film three decades ago.
I've had fun with this just applying techniques learned long ago on film. I like it. Plus, I still get exercise on screwing on and spinning off all those old filters. You can't do that in Post Processing.
Here is a twist for you. If you used to shoot film... (
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If you use filters and shoot monochrome, then you're stuck with the effects of that filter. If you shoot color and convert to B&W you can try any filter you want, or maybe something in-between two filters. You might even decide you like it in color better. If you're shooting digital, you don't have to accept the limitations of shooting film.
JohnSwanda wrote:
If you use filters and shoot monochrome, then you're stuck with the effects of that filter. If you shoot color and convert to B&W you can try any filter you want, or maybe something in-between two filters. You might even decide you like it in color better. If you're shooting digital, you don't have to accept the limitations of shooting film.
Agreed, and mind that I said it was a "twist" to try. My personal opinion is that sometimes being locked into a fixed situation is a plus rather than the dilemma many post processors make it out to be. I have done my time with both RAW and Post Processing. I look at both operations as "crutches" that have stolen many hours I would have rather spent out capturing images. While I do some digital, I see digital as a not very well designed panacea for people who probably should not be following the hobby and even some who should not be professionally creating images. OTOH, I do respect everybodies right to follow the paths they choose. I just don't have to approve, and choose not to follow the "herd".
Kuzano wrote:
Agreed, and mind that I said it was a "twist" to try. My personal opinion is that sometimes being locked into a fixed situation is a plus rather than the dilemma many post processors make it out to be. I have done my time with both RAW and Post Processing. I look at both operations as "crutches" that have stolen many hours I would have rather spent out capturing images. While I do some digital, I see digital as a not very well designed panacea for people who probably should not be following the hobby and even some who should not be professionally creating images. OTOH, I do respect everybodies right to follow the paths they choose. I just don't have to approve, and choose not to follow the "herd".
Agreed, and mind that I said it was a "twist&... (
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I spend less time post processing digital images than I did developing film and making prints in the darkroom.
bdk
Loc: Sanibel Fl.
I shoot in RAW then edit in Adobe camera RAW bringing down the saturation to the -80's. Then use Topaz B&W effects 2.
I have never gotten a B&W pic that I like. other people may love them but to me its just not mono film.
Bracket the monochrome settings in camera. Then compare. Goodbye.
I also agree that the easiest way is to shoot RAW and convert to B & W in post, although you can still do a lot in post with something shot in jpeg.
As an example see below. All were shot in jpeg before I started shooting in RAW. These just show the wide range of difference that is available in post processing. These were done just using Lightroom.
Many thanks for the terrific insights, references, and suggestions ! Some wonderful photos too! I'll definitely avoid in camera settings. As someone recently said, the older you get , the more you realize how much you don't know.
Shoot in the RAW file mode. Convert your photographs to black-and-white later, in post-processing.
Download the Google Nik Collection for free, and use the Silver Efex filter for doing your black-and-white photography.
Study Composition and Exposure along with the importance of Subject.
You may wish to attend a workshop with an emphasis on black-and-white photography.
Good luck.
bobgreen wrote:
I'm appreciating black and white photography more and more . I have never shot monochrome ( I believe that's the correct term). I'd greatly appreciate suggestions , hints, and guidance from this very experienced group. I know it isn't as simple as removing color from photographs. I'm curious if using in-camera settings is the way to go. By the way, I shoot with a Nikon D7100.
Thanks!
clint f. wrote:
Film..... What a concept. You can buy a nice enough film camera for less than a tank of gas at KEH or wherever. Experiment, go out on a limb. Three books that will help; The Camera, The Negative and The Print. Written by Ansel Adams. Perhaps you’ve heard of him.
those and David Vestal's "The Craft of Photography" are my bibles. i probably have Ansel's memorised.
Thanks for the info. Ansel is probably my favorite photographer. I'll check these books out.
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