Still struggling with B&W conversion.....

[NicolaB]

Hi



I dithered where to put this as my main concern is the b&w conversion, but I am now wondering if the lighting is also wrong from another post?

It was a bright sunny day and this was taken in the shade. Any thing I could have done to improve (I don't own a reflector - yet)?

I have tried to take what I think you have been telling me from other posts re b&w so is this right:

B&W - Enhance - Adjust colour - colour curves - Adjust Midtones
Gradient Map
Levels - red left marker to right a bit, green right marker to left a bit, blue, both markers in a bit (sometimes I just move the mid marker a bit?)
Brightness/Contrast - as nec
Mode - Greyscale

What is the best this image could look?

[BCampbell]

Converting to greyscale may be the issue.

There are lots of different ways to convert to B&W but I like the channel mixer because it strikes a good balance between simplicity and flexibility. The real advantage is that you can mimic color filters by adjusting each color channel after you select monochrome. This is usually the key to really getting the tones to work.

[NicolaB]

By channel mixer, do you mean convert to black and white then move the different colour balances?

[inkista]

Here. Try this Cambridge in Colour tutorial. It describes the channel mixer method for B&W conversion, as well as using a hue/saturation adjustment layer, or using the lightness channel in LAB color mode to convert.

I'd also recommend looking at this tutorial on curves, instead of using levels and brightness/contrast. You want more control over specific sections of the dynamic range. Curves will give you that.

[BCampbell]

What inkista says. The CiC tutorial is what I would point someone to. I use GIMP so I'm not sure how different it is in Photoshop, but when you pull up the channel mixer there's a tick box for monochrome. You can then adjust the sliders (also ticking "preserve luminosity" can help if you're unfamiliar). Adjusting the sliders is exactly like using colored filters with B&W film which is covered in that tutorial. Once you're in the dialog, it's pretty easy to see the effects by playing around, just do some experimenting.

I think you should take one thing at a time; if you're comfortable with levels stick with that until you get your B&W conversion down. A large part of what curves does can also be done in levels, so I don't think it's vital, but you definitely want to learn to manipulate curves. You'll also want to look into adjusting luminosity curves; it's actually possible to go a great way toward a graduated neutral density filter recovery effect by combining luminosity and RGB curve changes.

[teaking]

The only thing i would add is dodge a burn as bw is all about contrast etc... you can use curve adjustment layers and mask them, 50% grey layer set to soft light or even the dodge and burn tools but have a play with some dodging and burning

[NicolaB]

Thanks all. I am going to have a good look at the Cambridge tutorials and see if I can get somewhere.

[SusanH1970]

Is the SOOC correctly exposed? An underexposed SOOC will make a muddy BW.

Also agree converting to greyscale is not a great idea.

[NicolaB]

lol Susan! You know tooooo much about my skill level - or lack thereof! Yes - underexposed! lol

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by NicolaB

lol Susan! You know tooooo much about my skill level - or lack thereof! Yes - underexposed! lol

LOL you're funny, Nicola! Post a SOOC if you can, let's see what we can do.