I need some input pretty please!

06/29/2006 07:27:02 AM · #1

I took these shots in Yorktown over Memorial Day weekend. I got them printed and took them over to the Visitor center and the Victory center and they said they'd really like to see them in b&w. There are more then these 3, but I'm no pro at black and white and could use some input and direction here. The fact that they're even interested in them is a huge deal for me, so I want to get the black and white editing just right.

Sorry, I'm not a paying member here or I'd post thumbnails.

06/29/2006 08:55:57 AM · #2

You've got some great shots there. It looks like you may have lost some of your highlights to overexposure, but all in all, I really like them. I'm wondering how they would look if you converted to sepia tone and maybe added a little noise (to give them a vintage look).

How did you do your conversion? Did you use the channel mixer?

06/29/2006 09:11:25 AM · #3

I hope you don't mind. Very very quick and dirty... I'm no expert by any means.

Basically I took the image, converted to duotone, added two gradient layers to soften the sky a little, contrast adjustment, burn tool, USM, done.

Message edited by author 2006-06-29 09:12:03.

06/29/2006 09:17:11 AM · #4

I converted in PSE 4.0 by removing the color then adjusting the levels, shadows and highlights. So do I need to adjust the highlights so they are darker? I'll try the sepia and see how it looks. I want to get these and the rest ordered by end of next week so they don't have chance to forget me lol.

06/29/2006 09:19:01 AM · #5

oh wow! That looks much better! Thanks for the tips. Going to go tweak with them later today.

Call me crazy but I write down all these tips and keep them in a folder.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

06/29/2006 09:30:22 AM · #6

Originally posted by missinseattle:

I'm not sure about PSE, but in Photoshop, you can use your channel mixer to convert to black and white. If you open the channel mixer as a layer and select the monochrome option, you can then adjust the RGB channels separately to give you better tonal control of your final image (making sure your final combinations add up to 100%). It works better and gives you a better end product than a simple grayscale conversion.

Message edited by author 2006-06-29 09:32:37.

pix-al

Canon EOS-5D

06/29/2006 09:31:53 AM · #7

They are great shots and I can see why they might be interested in B&W's...

I too think a little noise would make them look more authentic, but the visitors centre may not want that - Best to check with them.
Can you take them a CD to save you printing them all out?

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

06/29/2006 09:35:23 AM · #8

ty ty ty for the help!

I could take them a cd, but I was thinking prints might be better because they could see them first hand, maybe prints and a cd?

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/29/2006 09:47:51 AM · #9

If you don't have it already go get Virtual Photographer theres some b/w filters in there that will save you a ton of time. Try Remeniscing on these for the old timer look.

Andy

06/29/2006 09:52:35 AM · #10

Originally posted by awpollard:

If you don't have it already go get Virtual Photographer theres some b/w filters in there that will save you a ton of time. Try Remeniscing on these for the old timer look.

Andy

Andy, that looks like an interesting little app. I'm going to have to take a closer look. Thanx for the linky! :-)