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Guidance Please - Conversion to B&W
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Dec 12, 2018 15:20:50   #
brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky
 
I would truly appreciate your critique of the following image. I've been intrigued by B&W and have set my hand at it. I know there are many of you who have done this work and know much more about it than I, and in that vein, I'm asking if I'm "getting it" and going the right direction with it. All comments appreciated.

This scene was taken near Norton, VA, along Hwy 23 a couple years ago.

Thank you in advance!!


(Download)


(Download)

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Dec 12, 2018 15:44:40   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
Your b&w appears very dark on my monitor. Below has been adjusted solely for brightness and contrast.

IMO you have chosen a difficult subject and composition for conversion. Most of the tones are similar and a lot of details are very small, so the concrete highway and the clouds dominate. If your editor offers colored filters you can create more separation. For example, you can make the sky blacker and the greens whiter. If you make the greens whiter, you might also consider making the red flowers in foreground blacker. Many small tweaks are possible to give definition and interest throughout the scene. If you enjoy challenges, this one will keep you busy for awhile

edit - one more note: if you want to keep some "mystery" in the middle section, that's OK too. I would suggest selectively whitening the clouds further in order to balance the strong presence of the highway and to make the distance our destination. I should have asked you what specifically you want to say with this image; the answer will determine which pp routes you take.


(Download)

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Dec 12, 2018 16:20:40   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
Linda From Maine wrote:
Your b&w appears very dark on my monitor. Below has been adjusted solely for brightness and contrast.

IMO you have chosen a difficult subject and composition for conversion. Most of the tones are similar and a lot of details are very small, so the concrete highway and the clouds dominate. If your editor offers colored filters you can create more separation. For example, you can make the sky blacker and the greens whiter. If you make the greens whiter, you might also consider making the red flowers in foreground blacker. Many small tweaks are possible to give definition and interest throughout the scene. If you enjoy challenges, this one will keep you busy for awhile
Your b&w appears very dark on my monitor. Belo... (show quote)


That's a very fair critique from Linda, who is one of the most artistic photographers we see here. I like what you've done with the image on its face, but the dark tonality and inability for the viewer to distinguish between distant tones make it a somber image, and hard to decipher. The color original is scenic and almost cheerful in its viewpoint.

Over the years I've found that the BW conversions that seem to work best for me are those with large shapes and contrasting tones. Also images where the texture of objects and people can be very visible in shades of gray. This is a pretty good BW photo, IMHO, but it doesn't jump out at me for the reasons above. I'd love to see more of your work, though. Conversion to BW is a terrific goal and subject.

Andy

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Dec 12, 2018 18:59:18   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
brucewells wrote:
I would truly appreciate your critique of the following image. I've been intrigued by B&W and have set my hand at it. I know there are many of you who have done this work and know much more about it than I, and in that vein, I'm asking if I'm "getting it" and going the right direction with it. All comments appreciated.

This scene was taken near Norton, VA, along Hwy 23 a couple years ago.

Thank you in advance!!


I would go a little farther than Linda with a graduated filter applied (Lightroom) from the bottom right to parallel the ridgeline. Opening shadows and adjusting exposure will reveal hidden details.
The same but with a radial filter on the distant mountains and apply a DeHaze filter to make it a distant focal point.
With B&W, really Greyscale, conversions, you should balance tonality across the image. It is even more critical when you convert from color.

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Dec 12, 2018 19:04:50   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
I would go a little farther than Linda...
I would go a lot farther I gave detailed suggestions in my comments based on the software I use for b&w, Nik Silver Efex. I was just too lazy to drag out my laptop to demonstrate visually.

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Dec 12, 2018 19:10:16   #
whwiden
 
brucewells wrote:
I would truly appreciate your critique of the following image. I've been intrigued by B&W and have set my hand at it. I know there are many of you who have done this work and know much more about it than I, and in that vein, I'm asking if I'm "getting it" and going the right direction with it. All comments appreciated.

This scene was taken near Norton, VA, along Hwy 23 a couple years ago.

Thank you in advance!!


I would adjust the color tones, particularly yellow and blue, and darken the sky a bit with a mask relative to the land. Something like the above.


(Download)

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Dec 12, 2018 19:30:30   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
Linda From Maine wrote:
Your b&w appears very dark on my monitor. Below has been adjusted solely for brightness and contrast.

IMO you have chosen a difficult subject and composition for conversion. Most of the tones are similar and a lot of details are very small, so the concrete highway and the clouds dominate. If your editor offers colored filters you can create more separation. For example, you can make the sky blacker and the greens whiter. If you make the greens whiter, you might also consider making the red flowers in foreground blacker. Many small tweaks are possible to give definition and interest throughout the scene. If you enjoy challenges, this one will keep you busy for awhile

edit - one more note: if you want to keep some "mystery" in the middle section, that's OK too. I would suggest selectively whitening the clouds further in order to balance the strong presence of the highway and to make the distance our destination. I should have asked you what specifically you want to say with this image; the answer will determine which pp routes you take.
Your b&w appears very dark on my monitor. Belo... (show quote)


I like it!

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Dec 12, 2018 20:32:09   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
whwiden wrote:
I would adjust the color tones, particularly yellow and blue, and darken the sky a bit with a mask relative to the land. Something like the above.


Nice edit. Keeps the mood of the original shot.

Andy

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Dec 12, 2018 20:40:17   #
whwiden
 
AndyH wrote:
Nice edit. Keeps the mood of the original shot.

Andy


Thank you. It would be difficult to do this with a single color filter and b&w film. I am guessing a green or yellow-green filter might have helped. With a color file you can fine tune much easier.

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Dec 13, 2018 07:26:32   #
brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky
 
Linda From Maine wrote:
Your b&w appears very dark on my monitor. Below has been adjusted solely for brightness and contrast.

IMO you have chosen a difficult subject and composition for conversion. Most of the tones are similar and a lot of details are very small, so the concrete highway and the clouds dominate. If your editor offers colored filters you can create more separation. For example, you can make the sky blacker and the greens whiter. If you make the greens whiter, you might also consider making the red flowers in foreground blacker. Many small tweaks are possible to give definition and interest throughout the scene. If you enjoy challenges, this one will keep you busy for awhile
Your b&w appears very dark on my monitor. Belo... (show quote)


Thank you, Linda! Very much appreciate your comments. Perhaps I should have selected a different image. I will give much thought to your comments.

Quote:
edit - one more note: if you want to keep some "mystery" in the middle section, that's OK too. I would suggest selectively whitening the clouds further in order to balance the strong presence of the highway and to make the distance our destination. I should have asked you what specifically you want to say with this image; the answer will determine which pp routes you take.


I wanted to retain the prominence of the bridge. I included it in the original image to get scale. But, I wanted to also bring forward the distant mountain. There's very little in the center section to garner attention, which is why I left it a 'mystery'. :-)

Incidentally, I use the PS/LR CC bundle in my efforts.

Thank you again!

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Dec 13, 2018 07:29:40   #
rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida
 
Here is my take on this shot, using Nik Silver Efex, plus selective dodging and burning, more could be done depending on what the Op is trying to convey!


(Download)

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Dec 13, 2018 07:32:21   #
brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky
 
AndyH wrote:
That's a very fair critique from Linda, who is one of the most artistic photographers we see here.


I agree wholeheartedly. On both your points.

Quote:
I like what you've done with the image on its face, but the dark tonality and inability for the viewer to distinguish between distant tones make it a somber image, and hard to decipher. The color original is scenic and almost cheerful in its viewpoint.

Over the years I've found that the BW conversions that seem to work best for me are those with large shapes and contrasting tones. Also images where the texture of objects and people can be very visible in shades of gray. This is a pretty good BW photo, IMHO, but it doesn't jump out at me for the reasons above. I'd love to see more of your work, though. Conversion to BW is a terrific goal and subject.

Andy
I like what you've done with the image on its face... (show quote)


Thanks Andy for your insight. I understand Linda's point about this not being the best image to select for the effort, and your statements help in that understanding. This is my first 'real' effort at B&W conversion. As most things photographic, it's a learning experience.

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Dec 13, 2018 07:35:41   #
brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky
 
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
I would go a little farther than Linda with a graduated filter applied (Lightroom) from the bottom right to parallel the ridgeline. Opening shadows and adjusting exposure will reveal hidden details.
The same but with a radial filter on the distant mountains and apply a DeHaze filter to make it a distant focal point.
With B&W, really Greyscale, conversions, you should balance tonality across the image. It is even more critical when you convert from color.


Thanks for your input!! For what it's worth, I have 3 graduated filters employed in the shot and a couple radial filters. Perhaps I need to work on their implementation. I shall study your recommendations.

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Dec 13, 2018 07:37:57   #
brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky
 
whwiden wrote:
I would adjust the color tones, particularly yellow and blue, and darken the sky a bit with a mask relative to the land. Something like the above.


I concur with your statements, but when I darkened the sky, I got a halo on the near mountain, as your edit did. Not to fret!! Your suggestions are viable and I shall explore them in more detail. I truly appreciate your comments.

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Dec 13, 2018 07:39:56   #
brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky
 
rlaugh wrote:
Here is my take on this shot, using Nik Silver Efex, plus selective dodging and burning, more could be done depending on what the Op is trying to convey!


I completely forgot that I have the Nik plugin!! I shall explore Silver Effects! Thank you for your comments/suggestions. Very much appreciated!

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