b&w conversion

[benchdog]

Hi All

When I took this I thought it would be nice in bw. I was wondering if the the b&w conversion works for you? I would also like your opinion on the composition. In particular the use of the long focal lenght verses moving closer and using a shorter focal lenght.

Thank you in advance




Exposure 0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture f/16.0
Focal Length 235 mm
ISO Speed 320
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Exposure Program Manual
Metering Mode Multi-segment

[Krusty79]

I've read that a good B&W has blacks, whites and a variety of mid-tones. Yours has the blacks and whites, but not much in between. I think that gives it a very contrasty look, which may or may not be what you wanted.

[benchdog]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

I've read that a good B&W has blacks, whites and a variety of mid-tones. Yours has the blacks and whites, but not much in between. I think that gives it a very contrasty look, which may or may not be what you wanted.

Thank you Krusty,

I never seem to get it quite right when converting to b&w but am determined to get it. I really enjoy b&w images. I did do have another version with less exposure which brings out more of the mid-tones. I will have to pick up a book on b&w.

Thank you again

[sachin_ss]

Hi benchdog,

To me it is a flat photo. Had you included more surrounding, it would have been a better once i guess. Since it is a B&W i am searching for more shades which are missing.

[benchdog]

Originally Posted by sachin_ss

Hi benchdog,

To me it is a flat photo. Had you included more surrounding, it would have been a better once i guess. Since it is a B&W i am searching for more shades which are missing.

Thank you sachin,

I purposely left out the surrounding focusing on the turbulent water displaying only its force/power.

I did though from Krusty recommendation play with the exposure to bring out more of the mid-tones.

Again thank you

[mwanafunzi]

Unfortunately I do not think that the second image is an improvement on the first. To improve the conversion you will need to do a lot more than just play with the exposure.

If you use photoshop then you might find this tutorlal helpful Flickr: Discussing The Black and White Guide to Monochrome Conversions in Leviathor's Labyrinth: Lobotomy Laboratory.

[IABoomer]

I love the first one, but I'm also a big fan of thick contrasty images. If you were to have posted the second one initially, I'd say it needed some level/curves adjustment to bring out the highlights.

[benchdog]

Originally Posted by IABoomer

I love the first one, but I'm also a big fan of thick contrasty images. If you were to have posted the second one initially, I'd say it needed some level/curves adjustment to bring out the highlights.

I also prefer the contrasty images but I think I took the first one a bit to far. I am loosing details in the highlights and in the second image there is a lack of whites and blacks. I have several in betweens and am still playing with it to come up with a final image.

Thanks for your input IABoomer

[benchdog]

Originally Posted by mwanafunzi

Unfortunately I do not think that the second image is an improvement on the first. To improve the conversion you will need to do a lot more than just play with the exposure.

If you use photoshop then you might find this tutorlal helpful Flickr: Discussing The Black and White Guide to Monochrome Conversions in Leviathor's Labyrinth: Lobotomy Laboratory.

Thank you for your feed back. I did explore your link but I am a fan of getting it right in the camera and using minimal manipulation in photoshop to complete my images. Just my thing.

The image here was shoot with the intent to convert to b&w and I have a dentency to go from one extreme to the next then settle somplace in the middle. I am in the process of finding the middle ground.

Again thank you

[ravncat]

Your first conversion, as seen here shows good exposure - and shows detail in the highlights and shadows on my calibrated monitor. I disagree with the above poster that a good black and white photograph uses all of the tones from black to white. I think a good black and white photograph can use all the tones, but all require some areas to be pure black and others pure white.


I think your use of a long focal length has led to the more flattened image. If you want to alter this in your image as shot, you`re going to have to manipulate the light via dodging and burning. I`d also look into possibly cropping the image, you`ve got alot of lines going back and forth and there are some interesting elements to it. As it is, the branch is distracting, with a different crop, i think that branch can be emphasizing.

As a random aside, I quite liked Michael Freeman`s book - Mastering black and white digital photography. Since I read above you said you might want to find a book. Though if you can thumb through it before buying it, it might be a good idea. People have very different tastes in photography literature.