To B&W, or not to B&W: that is the question!

Valls · Jan 30, 2020

I am no Prince Hamlet but I very often find myself hanging on the edge of the overly saturated (heh) question on the thread title... to B&W or not to B&W?
I'll leave this one for y'all!

I will also love to hear your feedback on the shots!

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Canon 70d + 50mm f/1.8
for those of you who saw my punching bag thread, this was shot using the same 2s exposure + manual flash "technique"!

Original katomi · Jan 30, 2020

I like the colour, but it’s a v close call.

Valls · Jan 30, 2020

Original katomi said:
I like the colour, but it’s a v close call.

I'm with you on the 'close call', I can never make my mind on this one! haha Thanks!

Designer · Jan 30, 2020

The color version is better. B&W version has lost the mid-tones.

Valls · Jan 30, 2020

Designer said:
The color version is better. B&W version has lost the mid-tones.

Thanks! I have actually treated them both differently in post! I usually like my B&W more contrasty and with some pure white and pure black spots! Think they look more flattering (and true B&W) this way.. Though I maybe have overdone it in this one! haha

Designer · Jan 30, 2020

Valls said:
Designer said:

The color version is better. B&W version has lost the mid-tones.

Click to expand...

I usually like my B&W more contrasty and with some pure white and pure black spots! Think they look more flattering (and true B&W) this way..

Some pure white and pure black is O.K., but I think good B&W has always been the full range of tones, which includes mid-range values. Refresh your memory by looking at some good B&W photographs that were make in the film era.

vintagesnaps · Jan 30, 2020

I agree with you (the OP) about overdoing it; the first is oversatured and the second is overdone in contrast. You'd probably do better making sure you get proper exposures so you have a good quality original, do less post, and start out making a little adjustment at a time.

Valls · Jan 30, 2020

vintagesnaps said:
I agree with you (the OP) about overdoing it; the first is oversatured and the second is overdone in contrast. You'd probably do better making sure you get proper exposures so you have a good quality original, do less post, and start out making a little adjustment at a time.

Thank you! I think i got the original good, so I'll try ease off a little on post!

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zulu42 · Jan 30, 2020

I prefer the color, but may I suggest a crop. The black belt and the shadow from the right hand accentuate the man's belly, making it look round and protruding. Being very bright, it draws my eye to his stomach, when the interest of the photo is the face and form of arms and hands. Maybe burn the belly down, or crop like this?

vintagesnaps · Jan 30, 2020

I forgot to say I think it could work in color or B&W, just with a lighter touch.

Is this of you? I like it, and I think too it could use a little less shadow under the arm, etc. I like the idea of some shadow and contrast, might just need some adjusting. If it's you, you've got a built in model! lol so I'd keep experimenting with it.

DanOstergren · Jan 30, 2020

I prefer the color.

If you don't mind some critique, I think your highlights are a little too hot on his skin. This could indicate that the shot is maybe a little over exposed.

Jeff15 · Jan 31, 2020

Colour for me......

Silversnapper · Jan 31, 2020

I only shoot B&W film these days and I may be a little biased but it has to be the B&W version for me although I think you have overdone the contrast a little - but that's a personal taste.

Valls · Jan 31, 2020

zulu42 said:
I prefer the color, but may I suggest a crop. The black belt and the shadow from the right hand accentuate the man's belly, making it look round and protruding. Being very bright, it draws my eye to his stomach, when the interest of the photo is the face and form of arms and hands. Maybe burn the belly down, or crop like this?

View attachment 186064

I like the idea! Though probably burning the belly is a bit more interesting, because showing the black belt adds to the story! I might try it!

vintagesnaps said:
I forgot to say I think it could work in color or B&W, just with a lighter touch.

Is this of you? I like it, and I think too it could use a little less shadow under the arm, etc. I like the idea of some shadow and contrast, might just need some adjusting. If it's you, you've got a built in model! lol so I'd keep experimenting with it.

Not me, but he's my Sensei! I could have him modeling again at anytime! haha Thanks for the idea! I'll give it a shot!

DanOstergren said:
I prefer the color.

If you don't mind some critique, I think your highlights are a little too hot on his skin. This could indicate that the shot is maybe a little over exposed.

You mean, overexposed on post or in camera? Here's the shot as it was captured:

Jeff15 said:
Colour for me......

Thanks Jeff!

DanOstergren · Jan 31, 2020

Valls said:
You mean, overexposed on post or in camera? Here's the shot as it was captured:

From the looks of it, in post. Do you do your editing in photoshop, and if so do you use adjustment layers? I personally use adjustment layers, and after I've made my adjustments I'll revisit each individual adjustment layer to reduce it's opacity; in most cases my initial changes are exaggerated, so going back and reducing each one a little bit gives me more subtle but also more effective results.

In these shots, I think you could reduce whichever adjustments you made that affect the exposure and contrast.