I love B&W

March Of The Tripods · Mar 11, 2015

I guess I have always liked BW but it has grown on me more and more. I tend to not like the flat look but each shot is different of course. Finally had a sunny day today and spent some time out with my little ones. Feel free to share yours!

I must admit, I tend to like my BW with very bright whites, nearly blown out. None of these however had any that were actually clipped according to the histo.

--
"People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do." - Isaac Asimov

rstone · Mar 11, 2015

Nice, can you share your conversion method or is it in camera.?

March Of The Tripods · Mar 11, 2015

rstone said:
Nice, can you share your conversion method or is it in camera.?

Absolutely. I always shoot raw, use ACR/PS for conversion. I tend to adjust the exposure slider till my main subject is the exposure I like. Blacks are usually dropped from between 25-75 depending on the shot. HL are sometimes pushed down depending on how distracting it is. I try to not adjust shadow/HL sliders too much as that can really alter the look of the direction of the lighting in a bad way, making it look unnatural.

The last thing I usually do is drop clarity down about 25, which I often do in color shots too. This will make many things happen. It removes the harshness of your shadows number one, which is great for portraits. It will also make bokeh look better, taking away harshness there too in the shade/color transitions.

--
"People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do." - Isaac Asimov

Drevis Neloren · Mar 11, 2015

Me too, I've been thinking about taking a month or two and just shooting nothing but B&W.

fmian · Mar 11, 2015

Fell in love with it when I started shooting film a few years ago. Got so deep it took me a month to get my head in the right space to shoot colour again. Lol.

A self portrait on some train station platform somewhere after a night out...

March Of The Tripods · Mar 11, 2015

fmian said:
Fell in love with it when I started shooting film a few years ago. Got so deep it took me a month to get my head in the right space to shoot colour again. Lol.

A self portrait on some train station platform somewhere after a night out...

Haha I love your complete lack of specific information in the description, common after those nights out :-D

--
"People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do." - Isaac Asimov

buybuybuy · Mar 11, 2015

These are nice, yet unfortunately mediocre. Contrary to your belief, the blown whites do not advance the overall aesthetic; rather, they severely detract from it, diminishing what little potential the images might have had.

Sadly, this set reminds me of Heinrich van den Berg's especially apt quote: "There are many photographers today who believe that converting a mediocre image to black-and-white will miraculously make it more arty and more beautiful. It takes time to understand that black-and-white isn't a quick fix, but a totally different kind of thinking and seeing."

Ysarex · Mar 11, 2015

buybuybuy said:
These are nice, yet unfortunately mediocre. Contrary to your belief, the blown whites do not advance the overall aesthetic; rather, they severely detract from it, diminishing what little potential the images might have had.

Sadly, this set reminds me of Heinrich van den Berg's especially apt quote: "There are many photographers today who believe that converting a mediocre image to black-and-white will miraculously make it more arty and more beautiful. It takes time to understand that black-and-white isn't a quick fix, but a totally different kind of thinking and seeing."

I think this is rather uncalled for. Ironically it reminds me of Matthew's especially apt quote (7:3): "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?"

To see some photos that actually do have clipped highlights we can look at buybuybuy's galleries:

Loading…

www.dpreview.com

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www.dpreview.com

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www.dpreview.com

And another irony: One big advantage of B&W is it hides white balance errors. Look at how this zoo critter changes color:

Loading…

www.dpreview.com

Loading…

www.dpreview.com

buybuybuy · Mar 11, 2015

Ysarex said:
buybuybuy said:

These are nice, yet unfortunately mediocre. Contrary to your belief, the blown whites do not advance the overall aesthetic; rather, they severely detract from it, diminishing what little potential the images might have had.

Sadly, this set reminds me of Heinrich van den Berg's especially apt quote: "There are many photographers today who believe that converting a mediocre image to black-and-white will miraculously make it more arty and more beautiful. It takes time to understand that black-and-white isn't a quick fix, but a totally different kind of thinking and seeing."

Click to expand...

I think this is rather uncalled for. Ironically it reminds me of Matthew's especially apt quote (7:3): "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?"

To see some photos that actually do have clipped highlights we can look at buybuybuy's galleries:

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3110251/bird1

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3104346/tiger

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3101523/deer

And another irony: One big advantage of B&W is it hides white balance errors. Look at how this zoo critter changes color:

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3080959/monkey3

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3101524/deer1

LOL. So you're one of those guys who converts to B&W to "hide white balance errors?" Wow, just wow!

And, as for the "zoo critter changing color," they were two different animals of the same species in different locations. The warmer one was next to a yellow wall, and I particularly liked the warm color it exuded OOC. That aside, the idea that variations in white balance from a standard, as assessed, say, by a color checker, are erroneous, is utterly ludicrous. Do you white balance sunsets?

What are you people eating for breakfast? Lead? Mercury? Other heavy metals? Just curious...

Oh, and kindly keep your religious propaganda to yourself.

fmian · Mar 11, 2015

Ysarex said:
I think this is rather uncalled for. Ironically it reminds me of Matthew's especially apt quote (7:3): "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?"

To see some photos that actually do have clipped highlights we can look at buybuybuy's galleries:

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3110251/bird1

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3104346/tiger

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3101523/deer

And another irony: One big advantage of B&W is it hides white balance errors. Look at how this zoo critter changes color:

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3080959/monkey3

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3101524/deer1

Surely you must be trolling???

March Of The Tripods · Mar 11, 2015

Ysarex said:
buybuybuy said:

These are nice, yet unfortunately mediocre. Contrary to your belief, the blown whites do not advance the overall aesthetic; rather, they severely detract from it, diminishing what little potential the images might have had.

Sadly, this set reminds me of Heinrich van den Berg's especially apt quote: "There are many photographers today who believe that converting a mediocre image to black-and-white will miraculously make it more arty and more beautiful. It takes time to understand that black-and-white isn't a quick fix, but a totally different kind of thinking and seeing."

Click to expand...

I think this is rather uncalled for. Ironically it reminds me of Matthew's especially apt quote (7:3): "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?"

To see some photos that actually do have clipped highlights we can look at buybuybuy's galleries:

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3110251/bird1

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3104346/tiger

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3101523/deer

And another irony: One big advantage of B&W is it hides white balance errors. Look at how this zoo critter changes color:

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3080959/monkey3

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3101524/deer1

Oh my. I thank you for bringing this to our attention Ysarex.

--
"People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do." - Isaac Asimov

March Of The Tripods · Mar 11, 2015

buybuybuy said:
These are nice, yet unfortunately mediocre.

If I cared at all about your opinion this might hurt. Fortunately for me, I don't.

buybuybuy said:
Contrary to your belief, the blown whites do not advance the overall aesthetic; rather, they severely detract from it, diminishing what little potential the images might have had.

I like the look. It's a good thing these are my photos, rather than yours ;-)

buybuybuy said:
Sadly, this set reminds me of Heinrich van den Berg's especially apt quote: "There are many photographers today who believe that converting a mediocre image to black-and-white will miraculously make it more arty and more beautiful. It takes time to understand that black-and-white isn't a quick fix, but a totally different kind of thinking and seeing."

Aside from the animal shots that may or may not actually belong to you, perhaps you can share something from your own files? Or is the best you can offer a couple of plants from last month?

buybuybuy · Mar 11, 2015

March Of The Tripods said:
buybuybuy said:

These are nice, yet unfortunately mediocre.

Click to expand...

If I cared at all about your opinion this might hurt. Fortunately for me, I don't.

Fortunate for you, but unfortunate for the rest of us: we have to endure your B&W art. Is that what they serve up in purgatory?

March Of The Tripods said:
March Of The Tripods said:

Contrary to your belief, the blown whites do not advance the overall aesthetic; rather, they severely detract from it, diminishing what little potential the images might have had.

Click to expand...

I like the look. It's a good thing these are my photos, rather than yours ;-)

Yes, a very good thing, indeed!

March Of The Tripods said:
March Of The Tripods said:

Sadly, this set reminds me of Heinrich van den Berg's especially apt quote: "There are many photographers today who believe that converting a mediocre image to black-and-white will miraculously make it more arty and more beautiful. It takes time to understand that black-and-white isn't a quick fix, but a totally different kind of thinking and seeing."

Click to expand...

Aside from the animal shots that may or may not actually belong to you, perhaps you can share something from your own files? Or is the best you can offer a couple of plants from last month?

As ill-disposed as I am to frivolous recommendations, I must admit yours is a very altruistic suggestion. My images would draw away attention from yours. Like chasing vinegar with honey. We might yet preserve our sight...and sanity.

March Of The Tripods · Mar 11, 2015

buybuybuy said:
March Of The Tripods said:

If I cared at all about your opinion this might hurt. Fortunately for me, I don't.

Click to expand...

Fortunate for you, but unfortunate for the rest of us: we have to endure your B&W art. Is that what they serve up in purgatory?

No you don't have to, you are free to mosey along to another thread. In reality you want to be here, to troll and insult those who actually post photos. Not all of us shoot two lame shots of plants every 4 months...

buybuybuy said:
buybuybuy said:

Aside from the animal shots that may or may not actually belong to you, perhaps you can share something from your own files? Or is the best you can offer a couple of plants from last month?

Click to expand...

As ill-disposed as I am to frivolous recommendations, I must admit yours is a very altruistic suggestion. My images would draw away attention from yours. Like chasing vinegar with honey. We might yet preserve our sight...and sanity.

Yep, that's what I thought. Somebody is scared :-|

buybuybuy · Mar 11, 2015

March Of The Tripods said:
buybuybuy said:

As ill-disposed as I am to frivolous recommendations, I must admit yours is a very altruistic suggestion. My images would draw away attention from yours. Like chasing vinegar with honey. We might yet preserve our sight...and sanity.

Click to expand...

Yep, that's what I thought. Somebody is scared :-|

Yes, I am desperately afraid. Sun Tsu's words, in his treatise on the Art of War, reverberate through my bones "Prince Fu Ch’ai said: “Wild beasts, when at bay, fight desperately. How much more is this true of men! If they know there is no alternative they will fight to the death."

March Of The Tripods · Mar 11, 2015

buybuybuy said:
March Of The Tripods said:

buybuybuy said:

As ill-disposed as I am to frivolous recommendations, I must admit yours is a very altruistic suggestion. My images would draw away attention from yours. Like chasing vinegar with honey. We might yet preserve our sight...and sanity.

Click to expand...

Yep, that's what I thought. Somebody is scared :-|

Click to expand...

Yes, I am desperately afraid. Sun Tsu's words, in his treatise on the Art of War, reverberate through my bones "Prince Fu Ch’ai said: “Wild beasts, when at bay, fight desperately. How much more is this true of men! If they know there is no alternative they will fight to the death."

Bawk Bawk :-D

Ysarex · Mar 12, 2015

buybuybuy said:
Ysarex said:

buybuybuy said:

These are nice, yet unfortunately mediocre. Contrary to your belief, the blown whites do not advance the overall aesthetic; rather, they severely detract from it, diminishing what little potential the images might have had.

Sadly, this set reminds me of Heinrich van den Berg's especially apt quote: "There are many photographers today who believe that converting a mediocre image to black-and-white will miraculously make it more arty and more beautiful. It takes time to understand that black-and-white isn't a quick fix, but a totally different kind of thinking and seeing."

Click to expand...

I think this is rather uncalled for. Ironically it reminds me of Matthew's especially apt quote (7:3): "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?"

To see some photos that actually do have clipped highlights we can look at buybuybuy's galleries:

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3110251/bird1

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3104346/tiger

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3101523/deer

And another irony: One big advantage of B&W is it hides white balance errors. Look at how this zoo critter changes color:

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3080959/monkey3

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/7500603043/photos/3101524/deer1

Click to expand...

LOL. So you're one of those guys who converts to B&W to "hide white balance errors?" Wow, just wow!

And, as for the "zoo critter changing color," they were two different animals of the same species in different locations. The warmer one was next to a yellow wall, and I particularly liked the warm color it exuded OOC. That aside, the idea that variations in white balance from a standard, as assessed, say, by a color checker, are erroneous, is utterly ludicrous. Do you white balance sunsets?

Yellow wall?!!! How pitiful. And your fantastic lame excuse for the clipped highlights? You can't leave us just hanging.

D Cox · Mar 12, 2015

Drevis Neloren said:
Me too, I've been thinking about taking a month or two and just shooting nothing but B&W.

I shot thousands of B&W photos on film, but since digital arrived I find it very difficult to think in B&W.

Obviously any raw file I have can be converted, but it is better if you visualise the image in B&W before shooting it.

There is some great B&W work being shown these days, so it is certainly worth trying.

whvick · Mar 12, 2015

Good shots!

whvick

hfjacinto · Mar 12, 2015

Beautiful pictures!! Much better than an iPhone

JK. I have a couple of BW that I really like also.

Manufacturing machines at the old Edison plant in West Orange.

A street in Old San Juan

Horse riding

I love B&W

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