How do you convert your photos to B&W? Samples would be good. :)

When I started using a digital camera, I tried various ways to convert to bw: using channel mixers, etc. I found these techniques took a lot of time and was not satisfied with most of the results. So I went back to my former discipline when shooting film - watching the quality of light. Now, a simple desaturation and curve adjustment get me to where I want the tones to be. :)

http://static.flickr.com/64/160708363_50f6d4752a.jpg

Arnel,

Interesting. That's probably the most simple way to do a Black and White conversion. I usually stack channels on top each other and use masks to get the tonalities from both layers. My final move is a local dodge and burn usually with a grey overlay layer. I'l try to post an example soon.

Arnel, found a guide (http://www.picturecorrect.com/photoshoptips/professional_black_and_white_conversion.htm) in selecting the best black and white channel for use in channel mixer.

But if you want a faster way to black and white there's this $99 Photoshop plugin called Convert to B&W Pro from The Imaging Company. (http://www.theimagingfactory.com/) A review can be found here (http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/convert_to_BW_pro.html)

Russell Brown has a filter and film effect using the hue/saturation adjustment layers here (http://www.outbackphoto.com/workshop/photoshop_corner/essay_21/essay.html)

And finally found a new link for Petteri's Pontifications here. (http://www.prime-junta.net/pont/How_to/n_Digital_BW/a_Digital_Black_and_White.html) It involves multiple steps and several layers of adjustment levels. Personally have to master this :Dum:

Lester,

Been there done that. Not that they are not effective, they just take a lot of time. IMV, you need to have an intuitive knowhow of conversion of hues to tones. Kinda difficult math for me.

I find it easier to watch the light. It gives me more time behind the camera instead of the computer. :)

Good. That's why a lot of my pics are still unprocessed because they take time. Have you tried shooting in black and white then?

hi arnell,

thanks for this insight on light. i also noticed that with the right light, a simple desaturation and contrast sometimes does the trick.

You can also try the Fred Miranda plugin "BW Workflow Pro"... tried this at a friend's house before, and found it very user-friendly and customizable.

Lester,

Been there done that. Not that they are not effective, they just take a lot of time. IMV, you need to have an intuitive knowhow of conversion of hues to tones. Kinda difficult math for me.

I find it easier to watch the light. It gives me more time behind the camera instead of the computer. :)

How do you "watch the light"? Do you have to be more aware of the light in B&W photography than in color?

Thanks,

Marco

How do you "watch the light"? Do you have to be more aware of the light in B&W photography than in color?

Thanks,

Marco

It's about the same Marco... in digital. :)

.....So I went back to my former discipline when shooting film - watching the quality of light...........

You are right Arnell. Not all scenes when converted to B&W are great in this medium even though how much technical or simple your conversion. A photographer must think B&W during the shoot taking into consideration tones, shapes, textures and atmosphere. And it takes experience.

hi. sorry for the noobish question. what do you consider a "good" black and white photo ba? i was quite surprised kasi dun sa mga process niyo on converting to b&w eh. and i thought all along that it's just the "remove color" button in photoshop! (or sliding the saturation button to the leftmost part) :D