B&W Shootout No.1

[480sparky]

^^Nice job guys. Fun challenge.



I wanted to play, but I could not save the image off photobucket?

Right-click, then Save As......

 

[timor]

^ thank you. I don't know if the most "likes" is the indicator or if there is actually a poll made or if we all win equally just for participating. :mrgreen:

"Win" I think is in this dialog between photographers, by comparing own methods and effects with others. I think the whole idea of this club is a confrontation of opinions, a digital global village equivalent of a Montmartre cafe. (Only everyone pays for own wine .)
Already so many entries, it is really interesting how different they are.

 

[Parker219]

^ True

 

[timor]

LR3 (flatten) -> SilverFX -> LR3. Is my usual for B&W. Then I apply subtle changes with the image in LR3 depending.

1) Lightroom 3 -> flatten out the image. Bring everything neutral (since we are working with B&W). Also correct distortion to keep the tree upright which means crop.
2) SilverFX -> high contrast full structure to start. Apply a red filter and some adjustment to bring the leaves back. Pure black on print always looks "unnatural". As such, I always convert to B&W leaving a tiny little bit of sepia.
3) Back in LR3, Soften the entire photo with a reduction of clarity and and pulling back contrast.
4) Mask out the bridge.... apply a little contrast back and curves adjustment.
5) Gradient... darken the bottom half of the frame without impacting the sky.
6) Tiny bit of vignette. If you can tell, its too much.

Very intense. Like HDR.
With such a sky rendition, IMO you lost the depth of the scene. Strong sky values "moved" it visually forward, right up to the bridge plan. Plus it made the picture visually busy everywhere, the bridge lost its "importance" as a centrepiece.

 

[Ysarex]

I used Photoshop only.

I used the Channel Mixer selectively to do the B&W conversion.
I took out a little of the keystoning.
I used Levels and blending modes to adjust the final tone response.
And since in 40 years I've never seen a good B&W print that didn't have a hint of color I added a hint of color.

Joe

P.S. Sparky, my wife says she likes your photo.

 

[timor]

^^ Very nice to.

 

[usayit]

Appreciate the critique but an open discussion generally influences the shootout and voting from being completely unbiased and more towards the preferences being expressed. Furthermore it influences the direction of those applicants that have yet to process their entry.

In the other shootout I have participated we encouraged those who wish to go all out and take the image to as far far as they want to a or remain as subtle in their processing. It was fun... sometimes silly... but we all experimented and discovered together.

If a bunch of people express they prefer more subtle natural look, some may hesitate to submit submission counter even though it may be more truthful to their artistic intent.

Just something to consider

 

[timor]

Appreciate the critique but an open discussion generally influences the shootout and voting from being completely unbiased and more towards the preferences being expressed. Furthermore it influences the direction of those applicants that have yet to process their entry.

In the other shootout I have participated we encouraged those who wish to go all out and take the image to as far far as they want to a or remain as subtle in their processing. It was fun... sometimes silly... but we all experimented and discovered together.

If a bunch of people express they prefer more subtle natural look, some may hesitate to submit submission counter even though it may be more truthful to their artistic intent.

Just something to consider

OK. I understand your point.

 

[BGeise]

used Picasa
changed to b&w
removed some unwanted objects
added a little grain
brought up fill light
fairly simple edit

 

[usayit]

It's ok... again it's up to who ever to decide how the shootout will be conducted. I just want to see what people come up with given free reign...

As it stands... vipgraphx already showed me some thing that I tend to forget..... to leverage nik software other color filters before processing in silverfx for even more creative options. I have a habit to stock to silverfx for one work flow and colorfx for another without consideration of using both.

If he didn't take the step beyond the subtle....

 

[Rick58]

Just an observation: It appears many go for the #29 red filter look when it comes to B&W conversions

 

[ronlane]

Opened in PSE11, then went to Nik Silver Efex Pro 2, selected the 014 Grad ND (EV-2) as the preset. Then changed the highlights, mids and shadows and added structure with 15% contrast. Changed the film type to Ilford PAN F Plus 50. Then I opened it in Color Efex Pro 4 where I used the default brillance/warmth, default detail extractor, and darken/lighten center.

 

[usayit]

Just an observation: It appears many go for the #29 red filter look when it comes to B&W conversions

Yes.. very common. Seems SilverFX is pretty popular too.

 

[usayit]

OK. I understand your point.

Certainly... what I posted doesn't mean you shouldn't participate at all....

Have some fun with the image and post an entry.

 

[timor]

OK. I understand your point.

Certainly... what I posted doesn't mean you shouldn't participate at all....

Have some fun with the image and post an entry.

I can't the same way you guys do. I am not a digital, can only comment on final effects, not the process. Maybe after posting time is over.