Conversions to B&W - C&C apprciated

[travelfoodphoto]

I haven't done much traveling lately, so not finding many interesting subjects to photograph. I've been doing some simple conversions of a few of my color photos to B&W, and find (to my untrained eye) them interesting and they seem to create a new images that convey different responses to me, the viewer. Some images I've converted work well (I think), others not so well.

I would appreciate your input on the concept of converting images to B&W versus just photographing them in B&W, as well as your opinion on the converted images.

Thanks,

Den

Some samples:

 

[mreynolds767]

My opinion only:

Your technique /edit is using alot of fine detail. I think this pairs beautifully with the Venice scene where that fine detail is picking up texture in the buildings and even in B&W the light looks magical.

But that same technique/edit is not ideal for the other more natural settings in the other photos.

 

[mfinley]

I would appreciate your input on the concept of converting images to B&W versus just photographing them in B&W, as well as your opinion on the converted images.

About 25% of my B&W images are the result of seeing something in them in post that makes me think they would be a good candidate for a B&W conversion. About 75% of my B&W images are shot purposefully with the intent they will be processed as a B&W image.

For me, the choice between black-and-white and color comes down to appropriateness. Black-and-white feels fitting for certain subjects—something old, timeless, or solemn, like this image from Auschwitz. In fact, I had already envisioned it in black-and-white while composing the shot. I knew exactly how I would process it in post, because I could already see the final image in my mind.



The other reason I choose B&W is for a stronger final image that I believe the subject has the potential for being more graphic in B&W rather than color such as this one. The appeal of the B&W final image is a strong graphic, contrast and dark shadows.

Framing is also extremely important to me and the success of a final image, I rarely compose to the 4:3 sensor but see the composition and the final format ahead of time and frame the image for the final crop to the format which is square in all of these cases as I saw the square format was where the composition would be stronger even though I was looking through a 4:3 format viewfinder. So this one I also saw as ultimately a B&W final image.



This was one I saw the potential as a decent B&W image only afterwards in post.



From the images you posted the one that appeals to me the most is the 3rd one of the trees, the graphic nature of it. The others are good, but that one stands out the best to me.

 

[Rabster64]

Hi Den. I tend not to comment too much on line because I don’t feel qualified. Photography is so subjective, but, it’s nice to hear other peoples opinions. Both Matt and Mike know what they’re talking about and have given what I think is relevant comment.
B&W is something I don’t do too much of but from the images you have posted here the two that stand out for me are the Venice shot and the landscape with two trees. Both have detail and atmosphere which appeal to me and the conversions seem to me to emphasise that in a more graphic way than colour would.

The lone tree appears to me to be lacking in tonal variety and I think because it is a small image it appears to me to be a bit crunchy so that doesn’t quite appeal to me so much.

The shot that Mike liked best is more graphic but seems to me to be very busy and contrasty compared to the others and comes across as a different style by comparison.

The waterscape looks to be a sunset or sunrise shot which I tend to think of in colour rather than b&w so I’m not so sure that one works with the conversion for me.

The canal shot is a bit dark and contrasty in places which some folks like in their conversions and b&w tends to work well in urban environments so I think a more appropriate conversion here.

Others may certainly disagree with my comments and they may be right to do so. I’ve recently posted myself for opinion on a b&w conversion of my own so I’m no authority on the subject
Over all I think you know what you’re doing and the main thing regardless of what anyone else may say, if we are happy with our own work then we have been successful for ourselves.
Just thought I’d throw in my tuppence worth since you had asked

 

[travelfoodphoto]

Thank you for your response and your comments.

Best,

Den

 

[travelfoodphoto]

Rabster,

Thank you very much for taking the time to provide your comments, much appreciated.

Best,

Den

 

[travelfoodphoto]

Evening Mike,

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond with explanations and images, quite helpful, I believe.

Here's one that I found that, I think, looks more fitting to be in B&W than color, as the background and foreground subjects are basically black and white, so what's the point of color?





Thanks again and my best,

Den

 

[Morris0]

Hi Den,

I feel you have done a great job with these conversions

Morris

 

[travelfoodphoto]

Thank you very much, Morris.

Den

 

[Greg7579]

I haven't done much traveling lately, so not finding many interesting subjects to photograph. I've been doing some simple conversions of a few of my color photos to B&W, and find (to my untrained eye) them interesting and they seem to create a new images that convey different responses to me, the viewer. Some images I've converted work well (I think), others not so well.

I would appreciate your input on the concept of converting images to B&W versus just photographing them in B&W, as well as your opinion on the converted images.

Thanks,

Den

Some samples:

Great job. I don't know what software you use to do post on raw, but LR gives you tremendous ability to convert to B&W with 17 various B&W profiles to choose from. You can quickly mouse through all 17 profiles and see the dramatic differences. Pick one, then use the sliders to adjust the tone and presence.

I think you did a good job in both shooting these and in post. The Venice shot of the canal is very moody and B&W can save a lot of bad weather Venice shots.

The sunlight beams in the forest shot is outstanding.

The second shot looks like IR!

Good set.

--
Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas

Greg Johnson’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com

 

[Greg7579]

My opinion only:

Your technique /edit is using alot of fine detail. I think this pairs beautifully with the Venice scene where that fine detail is picking up texture in the buildings and even in B&W the light looks magical.

But that same technique/edit is not ideal for the other more natural settings in the other photos.

I get your point, but I'm not so sure about that because it is purely a matter of taste. B&W conversion when shot at high res raw has a lot of latitude to work magic in post in several directions.

When converting to B&W in LR, the options are many. You can go soft and moody or really hit the contrast sliders and make it hard, which is a common technique and often works well with B&W.

I convert a lot (especially with all of my 720nm IR shots) and I often agonize about whether to go soft or hard and how much shadow to lift, etc....

One thing that can get you is overexposing highlights, which is never good, but can really scream "blown" with B&W shots.

I was out shooting yesterday using my IR rig and even with all of my extensive experience, I blew some bright foliage which was up against some black lava, and I tried to hide it but just chalked it up to experience and deleted the shots.

 

[Greg7579]

3 great shots!

 

[travelfoodphoto]

Greg,

Thanks so much for your feedback, and glad you enjoyed them. I shot them all in jpeg and minimally processed them using the simplistic PP tool, Apple's Photos.

I agree that poor weather/misty and gray images seem to do well converted to B&W. I wasn't quite sure about the second shot, but agree it comes across like an IR image.

Don't want to bore you, but here are 2 more early, foggy morning Venice shots I think work well in B&W.

Best,

Den

 

[Greg7579]

Den,

These are good and you are a good photographer.

If I may, I would advise that if you want to convert to B&W as a habitual option, you would be very well served to shoot raw (but I think that about any shooting really).

But, if for some reason you want or need to shoot in-camera jpeg and thus not have a lossless negative for life, go ahead and do what is best for you.

You shot jpeg and the conversion to B&W looks great.

But 3 of those shots are very good and I bet you wish you had the raw!

 

[travelfoodphoto]

Greg,

Thanks again. I definitely realize how much more one can get out of a raw image quite often, and at times I wish I could improve the jpeg more than I'm capable of doing with a jpeg, but I spent so much time on computers during my academic days, that I just don't have the desire to spend much time PPing images.

I look forward to seeing some of your images, so please post often, or at least occasionally.

Oops, just noticed you have a Flickr site, so I look forward to viewing your images there.

Best,

Den