trying different B&W techniques

[cristen]

I tried 2 techniques in B&W conversion, but both kept the original color palettes (?)


This is the original photo. Taken at noon under the shade. There was harsh reflection of the sun on the pavement, and it's apparent on the face and the shirt. Below is the EXIF data.
Camera Canon EOS 500D
Exposure 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture f/4.0
Focal Length 24 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

Here I used blending option>soft overlay after converting of B&W; slightly adjusting the curves.

On this one, I used color overlay.
Which one came out better? Or is there no noticeable difference? If the harsh light is bothersome, is there I way I could remove it?
I welcome your critiques and comments. Thanks!

[dlambert]

I like the first conversion better -- it seems to show more contrast & detail.

[JFeinbergPhotography]

Well, Im a newbie, but I do see some things a little off here.

First, what do you use to edit your pics?

Second, it all depends on the effect you are going for. If you take the photo in color and later convert it, you get a lot more tones, especially if you use a color filter effect on the software.
It seems that those two shots are almost identical, I can't really see any change.

But I do notice that the dog, being white, is really overexposed compared to the left (your right) side of your face. Really, you could edit that in post processing, using the burn tool to lower the exposure on the dog, and maybe highlight your face a little more.

I like the composition, as I am kinda sick of the rules of thirds. Your head seems to be the main point of focus, and is the first thing I saw. If you were to darken your dog and shirt a little, you could get a lot more detail out of the shot.

[cristen]

Thanks for your comments, dLambert and JFeinberg. I am using PS and slowly learning the ropes.

[JFSanders]

The second photo has more tonal range and shadow detail. The B&W conversion in both is not being nice to the dog. You have lost a lot of highlight detail in the dog. I prefer the second one.

Jim

[cristen]

Originally Posted by JFSanders

The second photo has more tonal range and shadow detail. The B&W conversion in both is not being nice to the dog. You have lost a lot of highlight detail in the dog. I prefer the second one.

Jim

Hi Jim. I wish I know how to remedy the harsh reflection of the sun on the dog. But I will try JFeinberg's suggestion to darken it... Thanks!

[JFSanders]

I did a B&W conversion in NX2 to see what I could do. Would you like me to post it here?


Jim

[cristen]

Originally Posted by JFSanders

I did a B&W conversion in NX2 to see what I could do. Would you like me to post it here?


Jim

Oh sure, Jim. Please do. I bet I will learn from it.

[JFSanders]

I don't think it is any better than yours but maybe it will give you some ideas. Make sure you click on the picture when it opens in the black background as it will give you the full size so that you can see the detail in the dog's hair.

Jim

[cristen]

I don't know NX2, Jim. I use PS. But your conversion really brought out details on the dog very nicely. I noticed though that the right side of the man's face is kind of dark (maybe just my monitor?) Is there a way to bring out that part of the face? My skills in PS really $^*^%$.. LOL...

I appreciate you taking time to edit my pic, Jim...