This image is not posted for compo but for opinion on the conversion to BW from somewhat subdued color in the original.

Please look at her jacket and tell me what you think.(maybe less highlights as I edit words here on the posted image!) Sure, maybe something more in her hair would help but the cloth looks ok to me on the jacket. Any suggestions?

I am getting more into BW lately, a phase I will deal with and it is not an easy one! Saturated color masks a lot and the BW is not so easy to do well. Agreed?
This one started pretty unsaturated to start with little contrast. Maybe you are a lot more advanced than me..let me know something.

Thanks a huge southern bunch, like banannas. Take a thanks a day from the bunch. TomDart.

Message edited on: 05/12/2005 21:39

Here is the color version as "from camera", cropped to approx same dimensions. Play with it if you want too. I would like to see what can be done to improve an ordinary image. Thanks again(from the bunch offered above!) TomDart.

What I did: Auto Levels Desaturated completely Variations with getting shadows lighter, adding more yellow and a bit of blue Auto Levels again Turned to greyscale Sharpened (simple sharpen) Notice that this one doesn't look oversharpened and I succeeded in preserving the most of the jacket texture in highlights.

I would like to see a BW shot settle directly in you camera and the same also from your camera in color...Try it...you will see the reality of digital BW shot without postwork...and after choose...

I would not use the b/w setting on your camera as this will limit you with the final image. With most digital cameras they simply convert to greyscale and you get a very dull uninteresting looking image. Assuming you are using an image editor that has 'Channel Mixer' eg PSP or PS I use that to convert to b/w. This gives you control over the image, you can add differing amounts of Red, Green or Blue to give the final effect of having used a filter with b/w film. So to convert a colour image to b/w I add an adjustment layer and use colour channel mixer. Tick the box near the bottom of the panel for monochrome output. To preserve the same luminosity in the image make sure all values add up to 99. So for simple conversion use: Red 33, Green 33, Blue 33, do not use the constant control at the bottom as this will alter them all together. For the above conversion I used an orange filter effect by using Red 50, Green 25, Blue 25. I have not touched anything else on the image. For a Red filter effect use a higher Red value. Well there are lots of variations there to try but that is how I change to b/w it is quick and easy and gives you control. For a more advanced way I'll include a link in next message.

Attached Link: http://www.gormanphotography.com/bw_conversion.pdf

Here is a link to the Greg Gorman site where he gives a method of converting to b/w in PS.

Message edited on: 05/13/2005 04:01

My effort !

Onslow- that was the very best way that I have ever seen it explained!!!

That's the same way that I do my conversions- but I add a couple steps after that. I will also go to "duotone" (I have Photoshop) and choose an appropro grey tone for the B&W print to taste. Before going to duotone tho- the image musy be converted to greyscale (after doing the channel-mixer gig). After the duotone is chosen, I convert back to RGB for any final adjusting & enhancing.

Tom, i'm soooooo glad you posted this 'cause i sure have learned a lot!!!! It's a beautiful photo in either b/w or color, BTW!!! Richard, You taking the time to explain how you convert to b/w has helped me immensely!!!! I'm excited to have this information! what i've been doing to convert to b/w when i use PSP is just to put my saturation all the way down on -100. i'm gonna have lots of fun experimenting and playing with images in b/w now!!!!! thanks! :)

I think Erlik did a great job on this!!

I like what MGTF has achieved here so I had another go trying to bring out bit more detail in the hair.

yes indeed, now that u mentioned it Rich! MGTF did a fantastic job in keeping the details on the vest!! And u did a fantastic job in keeping the details in the hair!! U too should combine ur efforts! ;)

The D70 does not have the ability to shoot in camera BW's..... in answer to Sylvaine's request. :~)

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?Form.ShowMessage=1791249

Also..... yes the channel mixer does an extremely good job of bw conversion.... There are lots of ways to do it.... some better than others.... probably the worst is to do it is Image> Mode> Greyscale.... Here is a link(above) to Donald's tutorial on another method..... I feel this is one of the better ways to do it.....

Thanks Michelle didn't know Donald had already covered that one. It is the same as link I posted to Greg Gormans site. As you say lots of ways to do it - I don't use b/w much only experimented a bit little while ago and found the channel mixer easy and quick to do - but those with more serious interest would no doubt want to move onto the more advanced way to achieve better results.

Thx for the link Chelle! I saved it in my favs for the day I'll buy Photoshop! O_o

See that's what happens when you quickly scan a thread but don't really read all the posts...... Had missed your link there.....!

Does anybody know where I can find that channel mixer thingie in Photoshop elements 2??? Plz, pretty plz!? :D

Wow...I am glad I posted this image, too. Great thread going here! I thought the jacket and hair added enough of contrast and highlights with shadow to work with. I am really glad you folks are responding to this. The info is very helpful. Tom.