B&W Conversion Opinions Wanted

oshead · 06-03-2009 4:41pm #1

I have been playing with BW conversion over the last few days. Trying to find which works best. Here I have an image converted twice using two very different methods. I would post a poll but I don't know how.

TIA

Dave OS

Dragan · 06-03-2009 4:46pm

I like the first one. It's brighter and pops a bit more, the second one is kind of dark, and the childs face seems a bit off, possibly the highlights were pushed to high to bring out the detail as everything else was so dark?

Do you mind me asking what program you used to do the conversion?

melekalikimaka · 06-03-2009 4:47pm

`personally the colour was alot better

the first if i had to choose

kgiller · 06-03-2009 4:57pm

I like the foreground of #2 (the tunnel has more contrast), but i think #2 adds a bit too much contrast to the child. Id say go for #1 but selectively adjust foreground.

oshead · 06-03-2009 5:01pm

For the first one I used onOne's Photo Tools plugin. with the setting Paladium print. Then into FM's BW Workflow Pro.

The second is using Guy Gowans method taken from his Monochrome DVD. It is much more complicated than the first. Though, a lot more flexable and non destructive too. Maybe I need a bit more practice.

I like the first one but, does it not Pop too much? I think the second is more typical of whats seen around.

Anyway, for reference heres the original colour taken straight from raw, just resized in PS.

Dave OS

CabanSail · 06-03-2009 5:05pm

I use the Guy Gowan method. I think that you need to adjust that some to get it to work.

Dragan · 06-03-2009 5:07pm

I imagine that no method could be applied to all photos and look good?

Have a play around with the process and go with what looks best to you man, t'is the only way to do it!

oshead · 06-03-2009 5:07pm

CabanSail wrote: »

I use the Guy Gowan method. I think that you need to adjust that some to get it to work.

If you have the time, would you mind trying?

oshead · 06-03-2009 5:09pm

Dragan wrote: »

I imagine that no method could be applied to all photos and look good?

Have a play around with the process and go with what looks best to you man, t'is the only way to do it!

I agree, but sometimes you need another pair of eyes to look at things and assess. Hense the post.

Dragan · 06-03-2009 5:12pm

oshead wrote: »

I agree, but sometimes you need another pair of eyes to look at things and assess. Hense the post.

Absolutely. *sighs* Sadly, i have no real experience with either process so can't help out too much.

Now, if you had lightroom i could send you a billion presets!!! Not a one of them might help, but it would be something!

eas · 06-03-2009 5:12pm

Have you tried a PS channels mixer technique ? Hard to beat for tonal control.

oshead · 06-03-2009 5:15pm

Dragan wrote: »

Absolutely. *sighs* Sadly, i have no real experience with either process so can't help out too much.

Now, if you had lightroom i could send you a billion presets!!! Not a one of them might help, but it would be something!

Thanks Dragan. I have lightroom and a billion presets already. I don't use them too much. I prefer to stick to PS.

Another thing I forgot to add about the PP. I added a large vignette to both using onOne plugin.

oshead · 06-03-2009 5:17pm

eas wrote: »

Have you tried a PS channels mixer technique ? Hard to beat for tonal control.

No, not really. I have dabbled a bit with it in the past. On the Guy Gowan DVD he dosn't recommend it.

B&W Conversion Opinions Wanted

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