Posted in color Weds. converted to B&W today. How'd I do?
Feb 26, 2020 18:08:38 #
At the suggestion of another member, I converted some of them to black and white in PP. Used to shoot B&W years ago, and this is my first real attempt at since going digital. It's something I'll be trying again and would appreciate pointers. I shoot JPEG and decided to increase contract in the color pix before converting to BW to accent the clouds and sky. I think it worked in some shots and not other. Thanks
Feb 26, 2020 19:12:37 #
Feb 26, 2020 19:39:43 #
Eric2018
Loc: Los Angeles, CA, USA
I believe you can convert to monochrome with various filters, which act much as colored filters would act on B&W film to enhance the appearance of the images. I never learned the basics of using color filters to shoot B&W film, but I have read that "filtering" during the conversion can make a huge difference in the final B&W image. You might look at some of the "street photography" images here.
Feb 26, 2020 19:50:35 #
Excellent work in your conversion. Like the contrasts and composition. Hope you do more and share them.
Feb 26, 2020 19:58:31 #
Really great for a first attempt. If you really want to get into B&W conversion, get something like NIK Silver Efx Pro.
Feb 26, 2020 20:17:23 #
You might want to explore what you can do with dodging and burning. You don't always get an ideal result from a straight conversion to b/w irregardless of the method you use. You could for instance dodge along the bank in the first photo to bring it out.
Feb 27, 2020 08:49:34 #
Eric2018 wrote:
Yes, even the very basic b&w conversion filters in PS Elements have a version of that.I believe you can convert to monochrome with various filters, which act much as colored filters would act on B&W film to enhance the appearance of the images...
With Nik Silver Efex, you have far more control.
The "virtual" filters work like the films one did. One example: a red filter makes a blue sky very dark, whereas a blue filter would lighten it. Here's one article with technical information:
https://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/using-coloured-filters-in-black-and-white-photography
.
Feb 27, 2020 08:51:44 #
To the OP: all of these look quite dark, but it may be your personal taste vs. mine. For the first four I would be interested to see a greater tonal range where the clouds look white rather than gray. The last is very dramatic and interesting!
Global contrast changes won't give you the control that selective editing will. As Fergmark mentions, the dodge and burn tools are wonderful for emphasizing certain areas and doing small contrast changes. Also make use of the curves or levels tool. Those allow you to do separate adjustments of blacks, mid-tone grays and whites.
If you are interested in pursuing b&w editing further, please visit us in PP Forum:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-116-1.html
There have been several topics in the past couple of months from users learning b&w. Post a color shot for others to edit, along with your own b&w conversion, then ask for editing ideas. Lots of folks who hang out there will enjoy sharing their suggestions
Global contrast changes won't give you the control that selective editing will. As Fergmark mentions, the dodge and burn tools are wonderful for emphasizing certain areas and doing small contrast changes. Also make use of the curves or levels tool. Those allow you to do separate adjustments of blacks, mid-tone grays and whites.
If you are interested in pursuing b&w editing further, please visit us in PP Forum:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-116-1.html
There have been several topics in the past couple of months from users learning b&w. Post a color shot for others to edit, along with your own b&w conversion, then ask for editing ideas. Lots of folks who hang out there will enjoy sharing their suggestions
Feb 27, 2020 12:09:37 #
Feb 27, 2020 12:19:59 #
fetzler
Loc: North West PA
Your photos have good composition but are underexposed. If you have the raw files you can adjust the exposure. Your editing program can apply B&W filter effects (e.g. red, orange, yellow) in a number of ways.
Here is a quick edit of one of your photos. I just used curves to adjust.
Here is a quick edit of one of your photos. I just used curves to adjust.
Feb 27, 2020 20:44:53 #
Photoshop has lot's of capability to do conversions and there are lot's of PS programs to do different B&W options, You can also use LAB modes during your process. I like the higher contrast version but frankly that is at the choice of the photographer.
Feb 28, 2020 10:26:06 #
Thanks to all, including Linda from Maine, for the encouragement and advice. I loved shooting B&W with filters in the old days, and this gives me another way to enjoy this hobby now. Lots more questions, and will be seeing you on the PP board soon.
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