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08/02/2005 11:03:55 PM · #1 |
I took this photo in Romania this past winter when on vacation. I'd like to convert it to black & white and give the sky a nice, dark, moody look. The problem that I'm having is most B&W coversion methods I have used generate a large amount of noise.
The original image:  and an example of conversion: 
I've had this problem with lots of different images when converting to B&W, and it normally is most visible in areas that are of a similar color. If I push the blue darker (and when I want a darker sky, that would seem to make sense) I get the most noise. After viewing the channels, it is obvious that the blue channel is loaded with noise in my camera. Some methods seem to generate less noise, such as this method, if I adjust via 'Master' and not on an individual color.
So, is the best fix for this a different workflow, adding a step, not pushing the limits, or perhaps saving up for a camera with less noise (the above shot was taken at ISO 50)?
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08/02/2005 11:06:44 PM · #2 |
Try using the Channel Mixer, and eliminate most of the Blue channel, which often has the most noise. Sometimes I've just taken the cleanest channel (usually Green) and copied it to a new Grayscale document, then adjusted tone and contrast there.
You can also try using noise-reduction software on the color image before trying the conversion.
Message edited by author 2005-08-02 23:07:25. |
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08/02/2005 11:08:44 PM · #3 |
| you could try burning the sky instead of pushing the blue channel too far. |
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08/02/2005 11:26:15 PM · #4 |
try a duplicate layer...and use gaussian blur around 3-5 pixels...then flatten, auto levels...works for me most of the time.
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08/02/2005 11:29:37 PM · #5 |
I tried a conversion using the Rob Carr method, described here. It didn't seem to increase the noise. Once you've done this, duplicate the layer and set the blending mode to "multiply". This did a decent job of darkening the sky.
Message edited by author 2005-08-02 23:30:14.
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08/03/2005 12:02:04 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by w24x192:
I took this photo in Romania this past winter when on vacation. I'd like to convert it to black & white and give the sky a nice, dark, moody look. The problem that I'm having is most B&W coversion methods I have used generate a large amount of noise. |
It's a very questionable candidate bor B/W conversion anyway, because there's very little tonal differentiation between the shadowed facade and the blue sky. The facade, being open shade, is lit almost entirely with reflected blue light, which doesn't help things at all. Most of the drama int he image is in the color, not the tones.
Robt.
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08/03/2005 07:58:29 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by bear_music:
It's a very questionable candidate bor B/W conversion anyway, because there's very little tonal differentiation between the shadowed facade and the blue sky. The facade, being open shade, is lit almost entirely with reflected blue light, which doesn't help things at all. Most of the drama int he image is in the color, not the tones.
Robt. |
I think you're right, as I can see that the photo is better in color. But when I did take the image into B&W, it gave me a lot of noise, so it seemed a good example for this question.
I'm still fairly young and an out and out toddler in the photography realm, so I'm playing with my food, in a sense. Right now, I like playing with B&W and duotones, so I put a lot of the shots I take through that treatment.
So far, it's been fun. |
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