Black and White Photography

[Raoul Isidro]

Remarkable images!
Cheers!

[EasternSierra]

Originally Posted by Free

That's exactly what I was thinking, but the conversation got a bit technical and I thought I'd get shot down if I mentioned it

I go out and shoot in black and white and Lightroom gives it all back to me in colour! So I've stopped shooting in B&W

You're shooting in RAW. You need to select the RAW + jpg option. Than you will get a full color RAW file, plus a comrpessed jpg in monotone. This gives you the best of both worlds...you can check your exposure and dynamic ranges on scene, and use the jpg, if you'd like, or convert your RAW file using the same filtration you used on scene. The benefit here still being the abiklity to double check your exposure and dynamics on-scene...

[LeeR]

Look, let's make this simple: The only way to learn to "see" in black and white is to make a lot of black and white images. There are no shortcuts. (I have heard of using a dark glass like welders use in their face masks but I didn't think they helped much. )
And...If you are having good luck shooting in black and white, then by all means, don't change what's working for you, but for most of us shooting in color, particularly in RAW, is the way to go. PS has some wonderful tools for converting color to b&w and using sliders to adjust the relative values of underlying colors much like you would if you were using filters with b&w film. B&W is all about tonality and having that kind of control over the way colors are interpreted is something I don't want to give up.

[LeeR]

Adendum: I am in total agreement with those who are recommending you learn some Zone System. I actually think everyone should learn it. Now, I'll admit, it can get very technical, but it gives you a much better appreciation of what is going on and why some images are so much more effective.

[Raoul Isidro]

One thing good about B&W in my experience is it saves me a heck of a lot expensive colored inks! Cheers!

[Barbara V]

You certainly make a beautiful point with your photographs, ESierra!

[deepspring]

I find these channel mixer settings help give a nice black and white feel (Kodak Tri-X 400 and Ilford HP5 Plus 400 are my favorites):

Channel Mixer Settings (Photography Tutorials) · street photography New York in black and white : urban views · New York photographs by Markus Hartel

Enjoy.