Black and White Conversions??

[ababysean]

How do you do yours?
Do you just go to Enhancements and select from there or do you customize it with layers and gradient maps?

Which one looks better?

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

I am leaning towards the first one....

For myself, when converting to B&W, I convert the image to grayscale. Then I go and edit the contrast, sharpness, whatever....

This is what it looks like in Gimp...

 

[Robin Usagani]

there is like so many B&W presets that come with your LR3. Just pick one that you like and customize it a bit.

 

[Derrel]

I do not like grayscale conversions. I prefer a straight gradient map approach, and then I adjust the curves to taste. Sometimes I use a gradient Map conversion, then the Shadow/Highlight tool, then curves. QUite often I will apply an unusual unsharp mask of 10 to 15 percent at 150 to 200 pixel radius, threshold zero (yes, those numbers are in the right order!) as a way to increase local contrast, and then use the fade tool to refine that, and then maybe do a bit more curves adjustment for the final appearance.

I prefer the first of your conversions to the second on.

 

[KmH]

I like to use the B&W adjustment layer in Photoshop®.

I also use the Curves, Gradient, Levels, and Vibrance adjustment layers.

I usually have a Dodge layer and a Burn layer too.

In other words, I usually do a lot more work making and finalizing a B&W image than I do for a color image.