mr. u. n. owen

All of this , OR just use film.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

:D

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Since each monitor and printer can be different, the first thing I recommend is that you prepare a b/w stepchart in your editing software, such as Photoshop, using 0% black thru 100% black (or 255-255-255 thru 0-0-0 in RGB) in 5 or 10% increments. Make a print of the step chart with your home printer and/or commercial printer. Then check the reflection density of each step and prepare a line graph comparing reflection density vs %black (or RGB value).

Using this graph, determine the density values you want to use for each "zone". For me, using Photoshop and a commercial printer, I found the following (RD = Reflection Density):
Zone I (RD 1.8+); 95% black
Zone II (RD 1.6); 90% black
Zone III (RD 1.3); 80% black
Zone IV (RD 1.0); 72% black
Zone V (RD 0.7); 53% black
Zone VI (RD 0.4); 36% black
Zone VII (RD 0.2); 22% black
Zone VIII (RD 0.1); 14% black
Zone IX (RD 0.0); 0% black.
Then, when you want to be certain that a certain area is in Zone V, adjust the tone to 53% black in the editing program, and so on for each desired Zone.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Terrific, thanks so much!

wowbmw Loc: Grant, Colorado

My best tip has been shared many times over in this thread as well as the one that has reached 25 pages so far. Understand the Zones concept but most importantly work and work and work on this critical technical component until it sticks and becomes second nature. I'm still doing the work! This is an image I did a few years ago while I spent the entire day just concentrating on technical elements. I revisit it from time to time so I thought I would share it.

Angles, Shapes, Tones

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you for the terrific info, bmw, and perfect visual aid :)

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Linda asked if I would explain how I tint a black and white photo in Adobe Photoshop so, here goes. The first image (screen-1) shows an image in black and white of a cold winter morning. In un-tinted gray scale in could use a personality boost. It could use a bit of a tint to give help put some life into it. In Photoshop there is a fairly quick and easy way to do that. Start by going to “Layer” in the program’s header, then go down to “New Adjustment Layer”. Selecting this will bring up a new drop down menu from which you select “Photo Filter” (See screen-2)
You will now see UI window for your new layer along with a properties window (screen 3). You can name your new filter in the UI window, “Photo Filter 1” seems to work just fine.  After you click Okay the properties window will activate (screen-4) and will always open with a warming filter which just isn’t appropriate for a winter scene so, click on the arrows which will display different options you can use. For this I chose a cooling filter #82 (Screen-5). Normally I feel that tinting should be subtle and not over power the image (it’s a bit heavy here so it will display in the screen shot). That is all there is to it other than flattening the image and saving the file. Which I will assume you know how to do, if you’re using Photoshop.

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this, Rich. After you posted info in the other thread, I discovered that PS Elements has similar; I'd just not tried it yet :) Another great tip for our toolbox!

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

I do a lot of B&W, so whenever I find a subject that is a likely candidate--thinking mostly in terms of the range of contrast--I give it a go. Often I bracket, with the idea in mind of using HDR (Nik) software to PP. Here's an example where I found that the end results both pleased me.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

:thumbup:
--Bob

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you very much, RD! I have to admit it's hard to ignore the color of those clouds :)

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Oh, I agree. What really fascinated me about the two versions is that they evoke totally different reactions. They are as different as two images could be in their impression.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Excellent point! Thanks for mentioning that (my brain has been fuzzy lately :) ).

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

That is the most incredible image I've seen in a long, long time. It's wonderful!

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Jack, In all due respect, if I ever get to a point in my photography where I so little trust my gut and eye and so desperately cling to charts and mathematics, please come and take my beloved D800E. I admire photographers who go at their photography as if it's an equation to be solved; but I prefer to go at it as if it's a lover to be wooed. Bless you and your perseverance.