B&W -- first attempt

[refreshinglyblue]

Preface: I generally don't like black and white photos, so am completely ignorant as to what makes one successful. A failing I am attempting to address. It was a third party who suggested that I convert this one, but I'm iffy about the result. Harshness was the goal of the picture.

Is this over-processed? Does it "work" as black and white? Also -- I blew out some small areas in the original photo and repaired them later. Is it obvious which spots those are? My eyes go there first. :|


f/4
1/200
ISO-100
68mm
Speedlite Flash

[Bruce A]

There seems to some parts of the photo (marks or something) I can't let go of - around the mouth, nose, eyes and forehead (below her bangs). It may be the repaired spots or not (you will know). I like the shot, the bokeh is good and I think the contrast is fine also. It has a certain "Clockwork Orange" appeal.

[zona5101]

I like it. I think the conversion is good. Many times I see conversions that are all muddy gray, not the case here. I like the higher contrast you chose. I like the composition/framing and the symmetry of the hands.

[Photographycampus]

But then I am a fan of black and white. What you've managed to achieve here is good crunchy blacks. Quite often with digital the black isn't as strong as it could be. The fact she has dark hair and dark eyes helps as well. Because you've over processed it it doesn't really matter where you've previously had blow outs. Over processing covers a multitude or errors Over all I'd say well done.