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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Better b/w conversion?
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Showing posts 1 - 12 of 12, (reverse)
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 12/02/2004 03:26:03 AM · #1
Firstly I'd like to introduce Katie. She's 95 yrs young and one of the most amazing people I've ever met. This photo was taken in a hall, early evening.


I tried to do a b/w version of it, but don't like it. I desaturated -> channel mixer and played round with the channels. What am I missing out on?


Another shot. I converted this one to lab colour to do the editing. Low light in the hall.


and the b/w


I see the most amazing b/w shots here, but can't seem to same level of quality in my images. Would really appreciate any help/comments/ideas

thanks
sue
 12/02/2004 05:09:43 AM · #2
I have pm'd you but you will find the action I suggested here DigiDaan
There is also a thread on this subject
here.
 12/02/2004 05:30:04 AM · #3
Thanks for that Hugh :)

Redid the 2nd b/w with a hint of warmer colour. Better Pat?


She has an incredible interest in people, in life.....and a wicked sense of humour!
This was the first shot I took......I asked her if I could take her photo and she gave me 'that' look.


12/02/2004 06:31:14 AM · #4
She is darling. Looks like she still has a lot of life in her. I played with the top one a bit and think the background is taking away from your bw conversion. I would crop them tighter and then darken the background to bring out her face more. I did just a rough example to show you the difference. It brings your attention to her face. I also boosted the white just a little bit more.

I forgot to add, I also cloned out a little of the glare on her glasses.

After looking again I warmed it up a little.

Message edited by author 2004-12-02 06:39:06.
 12/02/2004 06:38:16 AM · #5
That's lovely Bren! How did you darken the b/g and boost the white?

thanks
12/02/2004 06:39:33 AM · #6


I don't know :s

fine picture men
 12/02/2004 06:43:12 AM · #7
thankyou :)
 12/02/2004 06:48:31 AM · #8
After I do my conversion I use the levels to do the final adjustment on them. On this one I just picked up the white dropper and clicked on the whitest part of her hair. If you use a layer adjustment to do this then you can use the opacity to adjust it down if it's too light. As for the background, I did a quick mask and again used levels to darken it. I then went in and spot burned some of the places that were still not dark enough.

I don't know what program you use but I use PS. If you don't use PS and don't understand how to do this in your program, maybe someone else can help explain how to do it in yours. I am awful at explaining what I do. I have a disadvantange in the fact I speak Texan english.:)

If you use this way to do it you'll need to take some time on the stray hairs sticking up. I just did it very rough around them which made them blur. Speaking of blur, I forgot to add that I did blur the background a little after I selected it.

Message edited by author 2004-12-02 06:54:13.
 12/02/2004 08:54:25 AM · #9
I think it looks better with a warm tint.
The tint isn't something that is seen easily on screen, but it has ruined a lot of prints. That's why I think it's best to add the color. That way you at least get to decide if it prints warm or cold. Most places you have prints made do not have a dedicated b/w printer and that's what you need to get good results.
 12/02/2004 10:25:09 AM · #10
Here's my version using Photoshop CS with only the bw conversion tool from nik color efex pro:


12/02/2004 10:56:47 AM · #11
Originally posted by hughletheren:
I have pm'd you but you will find the action I suggested here DigiDaan
There is also a thread on this subject
here.


This does work very nicely and simply. However, it is not legal for basic editing challenges.
 12/02/2004 11:05:50 AM · #12
I'm increasingly finding the way to get really good B&W conversions isn't automatic and requires some artistic and creative input along the way, using selections or masks to adjust tonality in the image.

Automatic means only get you so far.
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