Looking for C&C on some B&W's, not sure I have the editing right.

[Jonnyphish]

Hello folks!
This is my first time to this forum, I'm happy to see so many cool people and all the helpful advice being given.

I struggled a bit on the editing of these photos, am just now getting around to exploring B&W edits. Sometimes it just seems to fit perfectly to capture that certain "feel". I seem to be having trouble balancing the Blacks and the shadows...trying to get my blacks black enough but not losing any details in the shadows.

Thank you for any advice!

#1

Lipp-130 by jonnyphish, on Flickr

#2

Lipp-92 by jonnyphish, on Flickr

#3

Lipp-85 by jonnyphish, on Flickr

#4

Lipp-73 by jonnyphish, on Flickr

#5

Lipp-66 by jonnyphish, on Flickr

 

[Ysarex90 84]

Hi, welcome to TPF.

In a full tonal range sunlit scene like you have in the first photo you have to expect the darkest shadows to render as solid black. It's a touchy line to walk between that and visible shadow detail -- knowing where to draw the line.

In the first photo you're problem is on the other end; your midtones are compressed and shifted down below some very small highlights. The gap between those highlights and the midtones is too much and the photo appears flat as a result.

What software are you using to edit?

Joe

 

[Jonnyphish]

Hi, welcome to TPF.

In a full tonal range sunlit scene like you have in the first photo you have to expect the darkest shadows to render as solid black. It's a touchy line to walk between that and visible shadow detail -- knowing where to draw the line.

In the first photo you're problem is on the other end; your midtones are compressed and shifted down below some very small highlights. The gap between those highlights and the midtones is too much and the photo appears flat as a result.

What software are you using to edit?

Joe

Hey Joe
Thanks for the response...you're right, flat. I love B&W's when appropriate but just haven't spent enough time exploring.

I'm using LR 4 to edit. I adjusted exposure a bit, obviously blacks and whites, shadows and highlights, and contrast.

Any more advice is greatly appreciated

 

[Jonnyphish]

Shameless bump :blushing:

 

[gsgary]

If you have Photoshop an easy way to get a nice B+W is go to layers-new adjustment layer-channel mixer-click monochrome and in the 3 boxes starting from top Red 68%
Green 24% Blue 8%

 

[Jonnyphish]

Thanks gsgary, I'll have to try that. Honestly I usually use LR4 for my PP, and maybe make a few adjustments in Photoshop but I really need to dig deeper into that software.

 

[imagesliveon]

Download silver efex pro 2 trial to use in Lightroom. Its a fantastic program!! The trial is full use for 14 days. I bought it with ten days to go.

Regards