POLL: how do you do b/w conversions.
So I love black & white photography. Back in the old days, I don’t think I ever even shot a roll of color film (maybe a few slides here and there, but whatever…)
Now while I’m one of those crazy folk who would love a dedicated black and white sensor in a dSLR, (resolution, no bayer filter etc…) I’m realistic enough to realize it’s probably never going to happen, and really I’m ok with doing b/w conversions. It has the added bonus of being more flexible than a straight up b/w image with regards to what you can get as the final output.
The thing is, there are just *so many* ways to do it…lightroom, desaturation, color mixer, LAB color etc… I still haven’t decided on a favorite. Usually I just convert in lightroom, use the channel mixer and then adjust contrast to taste. But I’m always open to new techniques! So I’m opening it up to y’all:
What’s your favorite method of b/w conversions in digital? Post it here and I’ll give it a whirl!
Tags: photo technique, tips and tricks
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Because I like things to work well and easily, I can’t hesitate to recommend Exposure2 by Alien Skin. If you have photoshop, it is an absolutely phenomenal tool, and really honestly reproduces the gorgeous film looks I fell in love. Their Neopan and TMax are particularly nice conversions.
IT also allows you to customize and preset to your hearts content.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:06 pm
I used to apply a Channel Mixer adjustment layer to get my B/W images and add a Curves layer for contrast.
Now I use CS3’s B/W tool along with Curves. It gives me the same amount of control, and has a few defaults in case I’m lazy.
If I’m really lazy, I use one of LR’s presets.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:07 pm
I’ve been a fan of the Black & White adjustment layer since CS3 came out, but I’m starting to do more of my conversions right in ACR. I’ve made a couple of ACR presets and snagged a few from around the web — those usually help get me started in the right direction.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
i use a lightroom preset. usually paris from the the European Vacation set from pink ink studios