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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> basic question for b/w photography
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 12/23/2002 08:28:00 PM · #1
What are the advantages to shooting your original photo in b/w vs color then converting to b/w. I have done very little b/w although one of my submissions (should have been BOTH) was submitted in b/w for my first non-color entry.

I just bought a Canon Pro90IS, so will really be struggling this week, with Christmas dinner to cook for all the family and a new camera to play with. Wish me luck!!
 12/23/2002 08:49:10 PM · #2
I find it better to shoot in B/W cause you get the instant feedback of the result while shooting. Some expressions and situations suit B/W more and you can judge this while shooting. I find it is so easy to be effected by colour and also the tone of the lighting, that if you shoot in colour then change it, you may lose what first attracted you to the shot. Just my preference....
 12/23/2002 08:53:45 PM · #3
Hi Kandice,

The advantage to shooting BW in color is that you can modify the tones to suite your needs then convert to BW OR (even better) do this...

Take the image into photoshop and create 3 additional layers. Create a layer adjustment for 1)Hue/Saturation 2)Brightness/Contrast 3)Channel Mixer (this layer must be on top of the stack)

With the layers stacked as mentioned above you are really working on a color image that is converted (by the channel mixer on top) into BW. How is this good? Well if you have a red that you want to adjust just go to the Hue/Saturation layer and adjust the reds. Want to make the BW predominantly from the Blue channel, do so in channel mixer. Want to mess with the Bright/Contrast in the red channel? Highlight the background layer and adjust the red channel only...

I have a large action set up for BW conversion. It includes 4 layers (and maybe a couple secrets - LOL) and gives me all the freedom I could want. It just sucks the detail right out of a shot and makes it a real emotional B&W image.

In the words of Clyde Butcher (IMO THE pre-eminant B&W landscape artist) "Color is a duplication, B&W is an interpretation". You need alot more latitude to convey your message in B&W. But, again as Clyde said, if done right B&W can have 10 times the impact. If someone likes Blue they will get caught up in a shot predominantly blue and miss the meaning. B&W doesn't allow that to happen.



Other examples...
//www.gammadesignstudios.com/roots.jpg
//www.gammadesignstudios.com/frame.jpg

I have a Pro90 and absolutely love it. I have a D-30 that I do my main shooting with and I have my Pro set up with an 87 IR filter all the time. You have (IMO) the best IR camera on the market once you learn how to use it. PM me if you would like some help. IR photography is the bomb!!! //www.gammadesignstudios.com/graveyard.htm

Dave

Message edited by author 2002-12-23 21:15:45.
 12/23/2002 09:15:24 PM · #4
Wow, that's a lot of work! Maybe I'll have time for it in another life, ha!! Thanks for the input on the camera. Didn't even realize it would do IR, although I barely know what that is.

Originally posted by Davenit:
Hi Kandice,

The advantage to shooting BW is that you can modify the tones to suite your needs then convert to BW OR (even better) do this...

Take the image into photoshop and create 3 additional layers. Create a layer affect for 1)Hue/Saturation 2)Brightness/Contrast 3)Channel Mixer (this layer must be on top of the stack)

With the layers stacked as mentioned above you are really working on a color image that is converted (by the channel mixer on top) into BW. How is this good? Well if you have a red that you want to adjust just go to the Hue/Saturation layer and adjust the reds. Want to make the BW predominantly from the Blue channel, do so in channel mixer. Want to mess with the Bright/Contrast in the red channel? Highlight the background layer and adjust the red channel only...
I have a Pro90 and absolutely love it. I have a D-30 that I do my main shooting with and I have my Pro set up with an 87 IR filter all the time. You have (IMO) the best IR camera on the market once you learn how to use it. PM me if you would like some help. IR photography is the bomb!!! //www.gammadesignstudios.com/graveyard.htm

Dave

 12/23/2002 09:21:31 PM · #5
Hey Kandice. I can convert an image from color to BW in minutes now that the action is set up and it will be infinitely better than the Pro90 can create on it's own..

IR (infrared) photography is the capturing of heat or really the reflectivity of heat. In the link I provided above please note that the leaves are white, the sky is black but there are still some natural tones in the image also. That is the general IR affect. It is incredibly more advanced than that simple explanation but it is real cool imagery...

Dave
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