Advice on using my D610 in monochrome vs editing later from color RAW files: I want to start experimenting with black and white images and I would like to hear from HOGS what they...

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

I want to start experimenting with black and white images and I would like to hear from HOGS what they prefer. I can set my D610 to monochrome and then use the various filter to enhance skies and skin tones, or convert color RAW images later in editing programs.
What are your preferences when producing B & W images and any tips for me to try?
Thank you.
Norman

RDH

NormanHarley wrote:

I want to start experimenting with black and white images and I would like to hear from HOGS what they prefer. I can set my D610 to monochrome and then use the various filter to enhance skies and skin tones, or convert color RAW images later in editing programs.
What are your preferences when producing B & W images and any tips for me to try?
Thank you.
Norman

All, or at least most. of the expert advise shooting in color and then converting to B/w in post.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

RDH wrote:

All, or at least most. of the expert advise shooting in color and then converting to B/w in post.

I concur. Additionally, it you have the NIK suite, you can get some great options for converting the RAW files to B/W.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

If you set the camera to Monochrome, BUT you shoot in raw. what you see on the back of the camera will be B&W, but when you open the images in your raw converter they will be color. This way, you get a good idea of how the B&W image will look, but have not sacrificed the ability to use the high-bit image to process.

Leitz Loc: Solms

NormanHarley wrote:

I want to start experimenting with black and white images and I would like to hear from HOGS what they prefer. I can set my D610 to monochrome and then use the various filter to enhance skies and skin tones, or convert color RAW images later in editing programs.
What are your preferences when producing B & W images and any tips for me to try?
Thank you.
Norman

While most do recommend converting RAW to monochrome, one may achieve good results either way. You may wish to try both, and decide for yourself which you prefer.

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

CaptainC wrote:

If you set the camera to Monochrome, BUT you shoot in raw. what you see on the back of the camera will be B&W, but when you open the images in your raw converter they will be color. This way, you get a good idea of how the B&W image will look, but have not sacrificed the ability to use the high-bit image to process.

Thank you, CaptainC :thumbup: I learn something new about these digital cameras every day. :thumbup:

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

I appreciate the advice, I will keep the camera settings the way I have them and use editing for now. This has saved me a lot of time and experimenting for sure. :thumbup:

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

My opinion, shoot in RAW and convert, if for no other reason than that if in the future you suddenly have a case of "I wish I had it in color." it will be there in your files.

Besides, the camera is going to shoot it in RAW anyway, then convert it. If you really like the in camera conversion's look, find out what settings are used and do that in PP.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Had a friend who insisted on B&W all the time. Turn out she was color blind. LoL

(At least she was for red colors.)

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Either way your results could be to your liking. It is just a matter of trying both and see what fits you.
Software has made conversions easier. I use Topaz B&W Effects 2 and find it excellent. Nik has a similar software and I believe Dx0 also has a good one.
I am sure that you can download those softwares and get a good idea of what they can do. To learn them take some time but the results are very rewarding.

Kuzano

NormanHarley wrote:

I want to start experimenting with black and white images and I would like to hear from HOGS what they prefer. I can set my D610 to monochrome and then use the various filter to enhance skies and skin tones, or convert color RAW images later in editing programs.
What are your preferences when producing B & W images and any tips for me to try?
Thank you.
Norman

"Bring All The Data Home"

Told to me by a friend and long time professional photographer. Film and Digital.

Pretty clear summary making sure you have all the data you need to clarify the image further than can be done in the field.

He finalized that with this comment. "If you drove 500 miles on a photo assignment, you wouldn't set up, shoot, and then drive off leaving half the data at the photo shoot site, would you?"

Unless you plan on learning all the aspects of filtering for black and white, by carrying and using manual filters on the front of your D610 lenses... perhaps a couple of hundred dollars of filters and learning how they affect B/W imaging, then shoot RAW and bring the color home with you so it can be filtered much more effectively in Post Processing.

There's just no argument against conversion of B/W in Post Processing, unless you simply don't want to Post Process at all. In that case you need to be equipped to filter B/W shooting for the results that can be obtained with a full set of color filters and effects filters.

jsmangis Loc: Peoria, IL

CaptainC wrote:

If you set the camera to Monochrome, BUT you shoot in raw. what you see on the back of the camera will be B&W, but when you open the images in your raw converter they will be color. This way, you get a good idea of how the B&W image will look, but have not sacrificed the ability to use the high-bit image to process.

Thank you Captain for that info. I was not aware that it worked that way. I have been using the filters during post. I have been carrying my film camera loaded with Ilford XP-2 Super win me when I shoot and shooting with both digital and film. It is interesting to look at the resulting images and compare the film scans to the converted digital images. The only problems is that I have to wait to get the film back from the lab.

Pilot 6 Loc: Eugene, OR

Contrarian advice: Thinking in BW wil alter the way you view photographic opportunities, select lenses and frame your shots. Your images will avoid the "obviously converted" look that is prevalent. Shoot in monochrome.
Bob

Lima Bean Loc: Finger Lakes NY

If you live in a home without adult supervision you could spend $7k+ for a digital black and white "Leica M Monochrom (Type 246). Otherwise a RAW file conversion makes more sense unless you want to see the B&W image immediately on your camera. I wonder if there might not be a potential business opportunity in conversion to B&W similar to conversion to IR problem would be getting sensors without color Bayer pattern coatings.

phkowalchuk Loc: Aurora, CO

I have photographed in black and white forever (more than 30 years). In the film days, I carried several filters and printed with a variety of contrast filters in the darkroom to get the image (or, really close to the image) I wanted. Then, after lugging large format cameras for years, I decided to change to digital (after reading articles touting digital as "the new large format). I had a problem, though, I "saw in B&W" when making a photo, but then it presented itself in color. Rough. So, when Leica came out with their Monochrom, I bought it. But then I realized I'd become accustomed to converting RAW from color to B&W and doing it well. No need to carry filter sets for all my lenses and better local image control. So I sold my Monochrom and invested in good full-frame digital. Now I shoot in RAW, convert to B&W and am really pleased with the ease, less equipment to buy then carry and making great black and white prints.

NormanHarley wrote:

I want to start experimenting with black and white images and I would like to hear from HOGS what they prefer. I can set my D610 to monochrome and then use the various filter to enhance skies and skin tones, or convert color RAW images later in editing programs.
What are your preferences when producing B & W images and any tips for me to try?
Thank you.
Norman