Just starting on a series... Trying to achieve a constant "style" in my B&W PP.

Sorry kung madami...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/397828681_3a44502356.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/397828641_65de33cce6.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/397828598_dfe323f433.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/397828537_2459deeea9.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/397828489_756e7c9797.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/397828404_338f675d7d.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/395374698_03c07d90d8.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/395361331_31c470e09a.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/395361463_79d36ee2bc.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/403279773_05ba7705ae.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/403279534_c7721ef248.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/132/403279596_ad4a3eadfb.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/403279452_cf3e8790f5.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/403279409_93c2d22b5a.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/403279365_7dccdb6434.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/139/403310681_302f8424e4.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/403318811_fdf66f6387.jpg

@David,

What are you using for BW conversion? Are you just converting them via Alienskin Exposure? Or you are using some other workflow for B+W? Hope you can share?

Btw, I love the contrast of your B+W. I see blacks as blacks and whites and whites, minimal grays.

Thanks Melvin, coming from you, I'm flattered hehe...

If the photo was shot in RAW, I just desaturate (-100) in ACR then adjust exposure and shadows from there... I usually add a contrast curve in ACR as well.

Then open in CS2, add a photo filter layer, hue/saturation layer (to remove color cast from the Filters layer); and curves layer and a levels layer to tinker with the settings... I have saved a couple of custom curves and levels settings for certain photos (depending on when a photo was shot...)

Note that the you must place the PHOTO FILTER layer UNDER the HUE/Saturation layer

5-6 steps mostly...

Since most of my daytime street shots are taken on my way to work (11am-1pm range), the sun is quite intense so the workflow is simpler...

I have a more "generic" reply on this thread (http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=3489) as well, but my workflow for B&W usually is the one mentioned above unless I shot in JPEG...

If I shot in JPEG, then I tend to experiment more with CALCULATIONS and channel mixer.

For digital B+W, its quite hard to actually nail a good post-processing workflow that I wanted. Also in my opinion, digital B+W is centered more on post-processing. I still need to learn a lot from this photographic genre because the only B+W I know at the moment is Alienskin Exposure. Honestly, I really like your workflow. I'll try this one (and I'll try not to be lazy as to rely soley on Exposure for my workflow), then I'll try to post photos.

Thanks again for the tip!

Melvin: My pleasure, actually I have (poorly recorded) actions that I named: Low contrast shade; High contrast noon; Overcast that have different curve settings. That allows me to reduce tonality adjustments tremendously.

Forgot to add a hue/saturation layer step in my posted workflow, updated na just now.... Without it, your filter layer will yield a colored cast.

Also helps to shoot with B&W in mind, wherein texture and grittiness makes it easier to create a more film-like image...

Underexposing allows you to use ACR to bring up the shadows using exposure or shadows setting, the noise will bump up, but if you desaturate it in ACR, it's very random and resembles film well, as opposed to JPEG wherein it tends to get blotchy when you try to recover shadow details.

Very strong series you have here David,
I love the tones. Great conversion technique, I am very impressed. :)

Hi David!
I love the tones here but tonality alone doesn't stir emotions. The children in the swings image has a lot of potential and is just begging for that decisive moment. I suggest you return the scene and shoot again moving closer to the kids. Hope this helps. :)

P.S. Do you mind sharing your B&W actions?

Bernard: Hehe, I'm a wimp when it comes to street photography, all of those, with exception of the bike and rooftop shots were shot in a moving car...

Somehow, I've gotten used to holding the cam straight while driving and estimating the framing while the car is moving with both windows down.

Really wish I have the guts to walk around and take photos up close..

BTW, the swing photo was shot near the Coke plant in front of the Ford dealership in Paco...

What can you suggest to improve on this (well, I can't afford better lenses hehe 22-55mm lang ngayon)... Thanks in advance.

I'll try to clean up the actions and post it for download...

Sonny: thanks, your euro photos were great, btw... share more :D

Bernard: Hehe, I'm a wimp when it comes to street photography, all of those, with exception of the bike and rooftop shots were shot in a moving car...

Somehow, I've gotten used to holding the cam straight while driving and estimating the framing while the car is moving with both windows down.

Really wish I have the guts to walk around and take photos up close..

BTW, the swing photo was shot near the Coke plant in front of the Ford dealership in Paco...

What can you suggest to improve on this (well, I can't afford better lenses hehe 22-55mm lang ngayon)... Thanks in advance.

I'll try to clean up the actions and post it for download...

Sonny: thanks, your euro photos were great, btw... share more :D

David I had the same problems when I was in Manila. There were days that I could shoot a stranger up close and there were days that I couldn't even take my camera out
The 22-55 is a good lens to use for street photography. It's not too big like the other zooms which is a big plus when you want to be unobtrusive. Pinoys are very tolerant of strangers taking pictures of them, and that shouldn't scare you off.
I always wanted to do "a day in a life" series of friends, acquaintances and neighbors while there pero never had the courage. Sayang talaga.
All I can suggest is get closer to your subject and get inspiration from images by photographers in this forum and on the net, especially images by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank, and Elliott Erwitt.

Sorry quite busy today, might have to wait till tomorrow for the actions...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/405536325_0a5aaec70c.jpg

Surprising shot for me since I only have a 20-55 hehe, was able to snap these flying birds...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/406570934_3802dcc300.jpg
Bili na!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/406572291_eef57d01f2.jpg
May Bayad ang Hangin

New set...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/415362405_00e62a5494.jpg
Goatstack

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/415361958_d088ae159e.jpg
In Tow (Not really Manila anymore hehe)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/415361797_a8ab1397d0.jpg
Compressed

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/414486339_5357b03bbb.jpg
Keep Walking (Tiendesita's)

TFL!

Here's a bit more...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/426595228_b79128d1fd.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/426594811_492b25923c.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/426595122_31d475ae38.jpg

Posting my share :)

In the slums of Caloocan.

"Ginto"
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e196/pajengjeng/Ginto.jpg

Thanks,
Carlof

Posting my share :)

In the slums of Caloocan.

"Ginto"
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e196/pajengjeng/Ginto.jpg

Thanks,
Carlof

Dude, Off Topic. This is David's thread. There are other free-for-all B&W threads you can post to. Or start your own.

Dude, Off Topic. This is David's thread. There are other free-for-all B&W threads you can post to. Or start your own.
My Apologies. Sorry! :)

Thanks,
Carlof

No harm done, thanks for upping though, haven't seen those pics in a while anyway :D