My first attempt at Daniel Diaz's B&W Conversion

I had this shot of my Grandson, and I really wanted to convert it to B&W, but just clicking on Monochrome didn't seem to do it. So I took a deep breath, and tried Daniel Diaz's B&W conversion method. (It always seemed too complicated.)
Comments and critiques welcome.



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Did you ever stop to think, and then forget to start again?
SueSee

The only thing I don't like would be that his ear is too bright/whiteish. Otherwise it's a keeper...
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Terry Gelgen
D50
18-55 ED
70-300 VR

Daniel's action is what I live by for my b&w conversions. Daniel tends to use: red=30, green=42, blue=35 or thereabouts depending on image.

I started by going very much toward the reds (almost 75% sometimes). Varies greatly though depending on image. Plus I almost always add a few tweaks before feeling like it's 'done'. Almost never actually get RGB to add up to 100% (usually 94-96% works IMHO).

I'd say you might have gone a tad heavy on the blacks for both neutrals and black. just my opinion. I dunno. I can only guess w/o knowing: what the original color file looked like, what WB was set to, and how metering was handled, etc...

I also feel like your image has more green than pleases my eyes. YMMV. This is one of those few moments where I can get technical and say that Bayer sensors have more GREEN inherently in their captures. And both blue and green might need to be lessened. Plus, in portraitures, the touch of warmth from slightly stronger reds works IMHO. Again, YMMV.

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Cheers.
David
my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/prodesma/
my website: http://kaptures.net/
(free desktop wallpapers on my website)

Thanks for the feedback. I'll go back and re-do, and repost if I can get it right. Comments appreciated.
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Did you ever stop to think, and then forget to start again?
SueSee

Could you send the link to the Daniel's conversion method? I cannot locate it.

Thanks,
David

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rhlpetrus
equipment in profile

I wish he would share his color post processing secret.

Yup... I'd like to look at it to. Does anyone know how to find it?

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Lito
D80 ~ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ~ 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 VR ~ 50mm f/1.4 ~ SB-26 ~

I have not read a thread on conversion, however FYI in my opinion. You have a full range of B&W. Not exactly Zone V, but as full as you will get in digital. The ear brightness is due to the back lighting of course and is acceptable, actually pleasing. Had you darkened more it would have thrown too much black around. So for a first time "special technique" conversion, it is quite good. Not knowing Diaz is of no consequence. It is simply a nice conversion and more than likely family which would make it a keeper surely.
Bob Shannon
Sun Newspapers/NPPA Retired

Can be found here:
http://www.atncentral.com/download.htm#BW_Conv

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McGyver
Dayton, Ohio

D - 50 / D - 80
18 - 200 VR
50 / 1.8
F Z 2 0
Oly C-700
Nikon N2000
Mamiya/Sekor 1000DTL

Sorry for the double post, but should have added the instructions: (next question)
Thanks to Daniel and Matt...
http://mgreerphoto.blogspot.com/2007/01/black-and-white-conversions.html

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McGyver
Dayton, Ohio

D - 50 / D -80
18 - 200 VR
50 / 1.8
F Z 2 0
Oly C-700
Nikon N2000
Mamiya/Sekor 1000DTL

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rhlpetrus
equipment in profile

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Did you ever stop to think, and then forget to start again?
SueSee

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Lito
D80 ~ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ~ 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 VR ~ 50mm f/1.4 ~ SB-26 ~

also,u may want to look for the gorman bw conversion.

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http://flickr.com/photos/diegonyc/

Thanks