In reference to the first shot below, the following was my
approximate conversion process, but it changes every time,
depending on the photo, but it always incorporates some combination
of the following (taken from yesterday's thread).
Anyway, my conversion process varies a little each time, and I
don't remember all the exact settings, but I can tell you the steps
I typcially do.
The original was shot at ISO 800, underexposed (intentionally)
about 1 stop. I underexpose a little bit intentionally to allow
more control in post developing. Oh, I only shoot in jpg and use
Paint Shop Pro.
1. General levels to bring it up a little brighter, but at this
point it's just to get it "close".
2. Convert to B/W using channel mixer (my settings here always
vary, sometimes I'm heavy on the red channel, sometimes the green,
but not usually the blue because it introduces more noise).
3. Duplicate layer, dodge property, maybe at about 3-5% opacity, merge
4. Dup layer, soft light property, about 15-20 opacity
5. Now I start fine tuning the exposure. In this case, the faces
and dark shirts were still too dark compared to the rest of the
scene so I selectively levels and curved them to desired look. I
use the lasso tool at about a feathering of 60 or so. This brought
out the detail in the shirts and faces.
6. If I remember, I duped this one again and re-applied a dodge,
then merged, duped again, and used the multiply property at about a
5% opacity.
7. To finish off most of my b/w's, I colorize with about a 3-5
saturation and hue to get rid of the blueish look that so often
accompanies digital b/w.
I think that's about it. I don't do that much to every b/w, but
always do some dupe layers with combinations of the dodge, burn,
multiply, and soft light properties.
I suppose the whole developing of this one was about 20 minutes, I
guess.
(10D)
(707)
(707)
(10D)
Jim
winter is especially a great time for b&w. i've seen a ton of
great shots from stfers, let's see some more or replay the better
ones! also, please describe your preferred method of "going b&w"
- briefly describe your conversion process.
i'll start. i use ps8, channel mixer, monochrome, then tweak the
sliders to my liking. then, i'll sometimes use selective
color> blacks, and bump up the blacks a tad. after these
adjustments, contrast adjustments aren't usually necessary but
sometimes i'll work on that, too. normal sharpening, resizing,
etc. follows.
let's learn from each other. what technique do you use?
-- andy
http://www.moonriverphotography.com
--
Jim Fuglestad
http://www.pbase.com/jfuglestad/366
- You're not in third grade anymore. Take as many recesses as you
want!
- Why simply live and let live? Live and help live.
http://www.pbase.com/jfuglestad/galleries
Be gentle, I'm still a newbie! P.S. shot with my beloved f717.
