Black & White Photography

[paulrc]

I have never really developed photos in black and white as I struggle with the brightness/contrast/tone of the B&W images. I can never tell if they look 'right' or not.

Any feedback on the image and any useful hints on converting images to black and white would be welcome.

[LaPistola]

Blacks need boosting only very slightly and maybe a positive vignette thats barely noticeable. All in all its a very good shot and there is nothing wrong with how you have processed it.

[markgozz]

Really like what you have done here the way both the focus and contrast fade as you move further into the shot , and a great composition that fits the subject matter perfectly .

Mark

[paulrc]

La Pistola & Mark,

Thanks both for your comments they are appreciated. Perhaps I should have a little less fear when dealing with B&W images and try them out a little more often.

[markgozz]

I wish I could give you some pointers in B&W conversions but I'm like you , I tend to play around with it until I like the result and then I can never remember how I did it .

Mark

[StephenBatey]

OK, here are a few brief hints. If you want to know why, you'll have to ask. In general, people don't want to be bothered with reasons.

1. Convert using channel mixer. Never use desaturate or greyscale.
2. Convert selected parts of the image, never the whole at once.
3. Use layers so you can use the colour data later for selections. (OK, I gave a reason - sorry!).
4. If you want to bring out the texture in sand or snow, use levels (selected area only).
5. Always use curves on at least some parts of the image.
6. Darken corners by about 10%. If you can see that you've done it, you've overdone it.
7. Watch the outlines of objects. Differences in colour will disappear in black and white.

And if someone can tell me how to put up a few piccies, I'll provide illustrations. Otherwise, PM me for a link to the online version of the book I'm writing and from which the pics would have come anyway.

[paulrc]

Stephen,

Many thanks for your post. I will have a go at the different techniques that you have mentioned so your hints are much appreciated.

I would like to know the reasoning behind the things you listed though so I may have to buy a copy of your book! Good luck with it!!

Thanks again for your help and advice.

Paul

[StephenBatey]

I've sent a link to the online version of the book. I ran through the reasons just for point one mentally, to decide if to post them. I decided that it would take far too much space to cover even that first point properly.

There is one most important point - all clearly explained at length in the book - which should have been my first pointer. Never start from a jpg file.