Black and White

[Rae]

Do you take all photos in color and then convert to B&W or, do you ever just shoot in B&W. I love old barns and buildings and the way they look in B&W. So, is it best to still shoot in color and then convert to B&W or just go for B&W. TIA for you opinions.

[Nicole]

I don't do much black and white, but what I do know is that it is better to shoot in colour and then convert it to black and white. If you're just shooting in B&W on your digital, then you're actually losing a lot of information about the "colour" if you will. If you shoot in colour and then adjust the B&W, you'll have a lot more control over the end product, so you'll really be able to control what "colours" stand out. I like it better when I can do the adjustments myself rather than letting the camera do it. Just my 2 cents :)

[steevdavis62]

Well, i love black and white. I shoot alot of black and white. I agree with nicole here, it is much better to shoot in colour and then photoshop it to get black and white.

Butttttt that being said, i like to visualise how my photo is going to look in the end before i shoot it. So often times i find, if im stuggling for idea's or inspiration, to flick my camera to black and white. And just shoot of a few photos. And all of a sudden you get a rush of idea's from seeing it the other way... just my thoughts

[stuart]

im trusting nicole on this one as im not to big on fiddling around on a computer to adjust the shot maybe to my detriment but theres just something about b&w photography thats magic ,hey if its a still why not shoot in both???

[Nicole]

So, I thought I'd just show a few examples of how being able to change the settings makes a real difference in how your B&W photos can turn out. All of this was just done in iPhoto with the adjustments slider, so definitely not even close to complicated.

First Example:
http://static.flickr.com/150/385966258_ec77cf6d36.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolesphotos/385966258/)
The picture on the left was done using the B&W function in iPhoto, no adjustments by me. The picture on the right was adjusted with contrast, exposure, and decreased red / green.

Second Example:
http://static.flickr.com/184/385966391_f1773e3207.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolesphotos/385966391/)
The picture on the left was adjusted to make the colours cooler, the picture on the right was adjusted to make the colours warmer.

Third Example:
http://static.flickr.com/187/385966524_3611b735ac.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolesphotos/385966524/)
The picture on the left was adjusted to increase the red / green, the picture on the right was adjusted to decrease it.

My camera doesn't have a B&W function on it, so if I want to do anything B&W it has to be done in post-processing, but I really think that it can make a huge difference if you do the adjustments yourself if you have the time :)

[steevdavis62]

You make a very good point, and those are great example. I completely agree with what you are saying, much better to do it if you can. But a B&W camera function i find, is still a handy trick to have, if ur struggling for ideas...

[Nicole]

Yup, I agree that it is definitely a handy function to have when you've got it, because really, it saves a lot of time knowing if a shot will turn out good in B&W or not just by using the function on your camera :)

[Rae]

Thanks! I see your point Nicole. Also, if I ever wanted it in color, I would have it. But.......I do have that B&W funtion and as soon as the weather warms up, believe I will play around with it a bit. I mean, with film, you either buy color or B&W. Sure these days you can convert the color to B&W in Photoshop, etc., but when I was a kid, it was either color or B&W. I'm sure I will still mostly take in color but I have this fasination with B&W and want to see what I can do with it by actually taking the photo in B&W. Think I will also follow your suggestion and take a shot in color and one in B&W, convert the color, and then compare the two. Thanks again.

[Saralonde]

Well, i love black and white. I shoot alot of black and white. I agree with nicole here, it is much better to shoot in colour and then photoshop it to get black and white.

Butttttt that being said, i like to visualise how my photo is going to look in the end before i shoot it. So often times i find, if im stuggling for idea's or inspiration, to flick my camera to black and white. And just shoot of a few photos. And all of a sudden you get a rush of idea's from seeing it the other way... just my thoughts

Interesting idea. I always convert to b&w in post processing, never intentionally take a shot in b&w. But the idea of forcing yourself to think in b&w, the way we used to do with film, would be an good lesson. It would make you reconsider lighting, composition, etc.

[Oni]

[QUOTE=Nicole;8787]So, I thought I'd just show a few examples of how being able to change the settings makes a real difference in how your B&W photos can turn out. QUOTE]

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Nicole has just given me 6,000 reasons to train my eye to appreciate the complexities of black and white photography. WOW

[Rae]

I was reading my camera manual regarding B&W and discovered I can apply filter effects (yellow, orange, red, green). I can also apply toning effects (sepia, blue, purple, green). Think I will have to play around with this a bit and see how it compares to post-processing. I'm hoping with proper settings and maybe an appropriate filter and/or toning effect that I can come up with a pretty good out-of-the-camera B&W photo. I have determined that this whole thing of photography is going to be a "never ending learning process".

[Nicole]

I was reading my camera manual regarding B&W and discovered I can apply filter effects (yellow, orange, red, green). I can also apply toning effects (sepia, blue, purple, green)... I have determined that this whole thing of photography is going to be a "never ending learning process".

Now that definitely changes my opinion a bit about using the B&W function in camera. Like I said before, mine doesn't have that option, and the only P&S I had was just basic B&W, so the ability to have those filter effects will probably make a huge difference similar to what you could do in post-processing. :) Make sure you post some shots here when you get some you're happy with :)

And yes, photography does seem to be a never ending learning process, but that's what makes it fun :D