Enhancing digital RAW B&W images

[danieldphoto]

Hi. I am new to DPS.

I recently switched to a Nikon D90. I like the ability/option to shoot in B&W- some situations, lighting and subjects are more powerful or suitable to be shot in B&W. Can some fellow DPS members share their thoughts or refer me to sources which can offer tips and guidance (principles to consider, regardless of the software one will use) on enhancing these RAW B&W images? Also, I am considering using Capture NX2- this software will allow me to modify my B&W images taken with the Nikon D90 (Photoshop Elements 7 will not open/read the RAW B&W images shot with the D90).

Thanks.

[dcclark]

A raw image isn't actually B&W -- all of the color data is still there, and you can change it "back" to color during the raw conversion.

My preferred way to get a B&W photo is to take a color photo, and then use Photoshop's or Gimp's channel mixer -- you can get wonderfully contrasty and dramatic images that way. I don't generally use the camera's B&W conversion, as it is almost always flat and uninteresting.

[Digidave]

Also, I am considering using Capture NX2- this software will allow me to modify my B&W images taken with the Nikon D90 (Photoshop Elements 7 will not open/read the RAW B&W images shot with the D90).

That is the main advantage of using NX2. I always shoot in color & do my processing with Capture NX2.

In NX2, click on "Filters". You'll see "Black and White Conversion...", I never use this method. Some may find it efficient, but I hate it. I use "Photo Effects...". This will create a new adjustment step that you can open & click on the drop-down menu that says "Enhance Photo". This is where you want to choose "Black & White". You can then have more control over the filter by adjusting the color sliders. I usually tick the box for "Enhance Dark Tones". You also can adjust your brightness. I usually just play around with all these until I'm happy with the effect. It will be different for all photos.

Then there is one more little trick I like to use. I will create a new adjustment step exactly like the previous one but instead of opting for "Black & White", I will choose "Sepia". Then at the bottom of the opened step, click on the arrow that is just left of "Opacity". Slide it down until you are happy with it. This adds a really nice effect to your B&W's. I never really liked the Sepia tone on it's own but it works well in this case.

If by chance you just turn a small portion of the photo into B&W & want to use the Sepia method I mentioned on the same area. All you need to do is Right-click on the step that created the B&W portion & choose "Copy Adjustment Step". Then in an open area of the adjustment palette, first left-click to ensure that no adjustment steps are highlighted(this is important), then right-click & choose "Paste Adjustments". This will create a new B&W adjustment. You then want to open it & click on the drop-down box that says "Black and White". Switch that to "Sepia" & adjust the opacity. Here's an example of one I did that turned out pretty nice.

[phlyersphan]

I either use channel mixing in Photoshop like dcclark said, or in Lightroom, there grayscale color mixer is quite nice. The same thing now exists in Photoshop CS4 as well, under Adjustments - Black & White. You get slider bars for all of the "colors" to adjust the tonalities of those color ranges.