What’s Your Preference?

AlphaBjerke · #1 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 07:37 PM

Hello. I took this at a Civil War reenactment this weekend and I am seeking critical analysis of my B&W conversion. I really feel helpless in the process even though I have read many many tutorials. I used channels to make this one and I have no idea if I did well or I should head back to the drawing board. I just don't have a feel for what is right on B&W conversions yet.Thanks in advance!

P.S. Any other cool post processing tricks you would recommend since this is a reenactment from 150 years ago? Someone suggested I make it look more grainy. How do I do that. Some other effect?

Sony DSLR-A200
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/5.0
Focal Length: 90 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off

SusanH1970 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 07:54 PM

The bw conversion looks pretty good to me, maybe just a slight touch more contrast?

To give it a grainy look, just add noise to it.

Somewhere around here there's a thread showing how to make a photo look old. If I can find it, I'll post a link to it here.

What software are you using?

Edit: Here is the link. Great info here!

AlphaBjerke · #3 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 08:03 PM

OK, thanks. I am using CS2 after I convert it with my Sony conversion software. Oops, forgot to post EXIF. Sorry.

Thanks alot!

SusanH1970 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 08:26 PM

No problem! After you play around with it, please repost it. I'd love to see what you do!

harrypalmer044 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 08:42 PM

Hi there,
I really like you image, there's lots going on and I think you did a really god job of capturing the moment. I hope you don't mind, I have added my rendition of your image. I just wanted to see if I could make it look older than it really is, I hope you like it. If you like it and want to know what I did just let me know. I look forward to seeing more of your images,
Thanks for sharing.

Glayva · #6 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 08:53 PM

I think a thread has already done one of my suggestions and that is to put a vignette around the picture to draw the eye into it more. Yes a little more contrast and a bit of grain. A friend of mine has done a lot of these shots and has added gun smoke too in PS.

AlphaBjerke · #7 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 08:55 PM

Harry, I can see that you messed with the contrast, but what else. Thanks for helping out as I really need it when it comes to B&W (don't know how often I'll want to make something look 150 years old though).

harrypalmer044 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 09:00 PM

Hi Alpha, I edited your smashing image in Elements 6, took about 10 minutes to get it how I liked it. All I did to be honest was lower the brightness a little, added a little grain as if it was film and not digital , a touch more sharpness to the centre of the shot and then a slight border to draw the eye to into the image. I also think that the correct image is in the eye of the beholder and the great thing about digital images is that if your not happy you just start over. I am self taught and just learnt by playing with what I have to use. Your original image was good to start with, just have a play with your software until you get something you like....
Look forward to seeing the results. Thanks for sharing it, I love things like this that deal with history.

AlphaBjerke · #9 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 01:05 AM

Thanks, Harry. I will try to play with it some more. I didn't get as many good shots as I wanted because most of the action was a tad too far away. I had a 300mm, but it wasn't quite good enough. All of the shots of the cannon being fired were marred because there was no way of composing without spectators in the background. I know I could photoshop them out, but not in the mood for that right now.