It never fails... - DPChallenge Forums

03/31/2004 07:45:25 PM · #1

On every b&w entry I get a comment about contrast. Looking back on my entries, I see that my preference is for a slightly less contrasty look, with a great deal of tones in the middle of the spectrum. But this time I adjusted levels until the contrast was way to strong (and grey turned to black) then I worked backward until I found the spot where there was, what seemed to me to be, a good range of tones, and still details in the grey.
Apparently this is still not enough. Do people prefer b&w photos to be literally black and white with no grey? Because if I adjusted the contrast any more that's what I would end up with.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/31/2004 07:57:42 PM · #2

Am I missing something? Can someone show me an example of really good contrast in a B&W image?

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

03/31/2004 08:01:41 PM · #3

I think the "right" amount varies with the subject matter and intended impact. Maybe if these are not current entries (or later if they are) post them side by side so they can be discussed specifically instead of hypothetically.

In general, I think most people expect the darkest point to be pretty black (90-100%) and the lightest point to be pretty white (0-5%) with a range of tones in between. Photos without a distinct white and/or black point may seem to lack contrast even though they have plenty of detail.

goinskiing

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/31/2004 08:02:52 PM · #4

This may sound kind of vain, but if you look at my recent shot in the orange challenge //www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=65617 I feel this is fairly good contrast in the ranges from black to white.

GinaRothfels

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

03/31/2004 08:03:55 PM · #5

This one is literally black & white with no grey. It didn't do too well:

Tastes differ and you're never going to please everyone. After all, even the winning photos often get some ones and twos while last placed photos often get some tens.
If you like the way your photo looks, there are bound to be others who like it too.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/31/2004 08:04:21 PM · #6

Originally posted by kellian:

Am I missing something? Can someone show me an example of really good contrast in a B&W image?

I originally learned a lot about B+W photography from my friend Lonny Shavelson way back when I helped design this book.

JPR

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom

03/31/2004 08:52:36 PM · #7

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by kellian:
Am I missing something? Can someone show me an example of really good contrast in a B&W image?

I originally learned a lot about B+W photography from my friend Lonny Shavelson way back when I helped design this book.

GeneralE, that book looks fantastic. I'd love to hear more about the process of getting a book of that type published. I bookmarked that page and plan to buy that book at some point in the future when I get some money. :)

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/31/2004 08:59:13 PM · #8

Originally posted by JasonPR:

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by kellian:
Am I missing something? Can someone show me an example of really good contrast in a B&W image?

I originally learned a lot about B+W photography from my friend Lonny Shavelson way back when I helped design this book.

GeneralE, that book looks fantastic. I'd love to hear more about the process of getting a book of that type published. I bookmarked that page and plan to buy that book at some point in the future when I get some money. :)

That book he self-published. It was done by offset in a black-and-gray duotone, I think shot (not scanned) from prints. The processes have changed a lot since then, and the way you approach it may be different depending on your market and marketing plans.

I'm happy to help with advice on book designing and production techniques if you want to sent me an email. Doing it by normal production methods will run several thousands of dollars, but the big bugaboo in the publishing biz is distribution ... that's the part I'm no good at. :(

justine

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

03/31/2004 09:00:30 PM · #9

Originally posted by goinskiing:

Matthew, not vain at all the tones are really nice.
Same with Gina's shot. Both are good techniques.
I think kellian and all of us benefit by surfing, reading but mostly looking at others work. Nothing like a good black and white shot!!

03/31/2004 09:42:58 PM · #10

Originally posted by goinskiing:

Your right, that is good contrast. I can recognize that in other's work... maybe just not my own?
Here's one from a previous challenge:

03/31/2004 09:44:54 PM · #11

I see that there's not a lot of true black, but there wasn't a lot on the real scene either because it was very bright and the planes are rather grey...

pitsaman

Canon EOS-30D