PBase

When you shoot for b&w, do you set your camera up for it or do you make it b&w in photoshop or whatever later?

Does it make a difference?

There have been several discussions among 'those who really know' on both dpreview and luminous-landscape (just add the http://www.com stuff).

The overwhelming consensus seems to be 'shoot in color, convert later'.

There are all sorts of issues as to the best way, special software, it's over my head.

The only reason that I can see to shoot in B&W is to get yourself to 'think' in B&W. Looking for light, shadow, etc. while ignoring color takes some time to learn.

With memory being cheap why not switch back and forth. I often times will reshoot the same picture in color, b&w and sepia. I've never regreting leaving something on the cutting room floor but have hated not having a shot in color that I did in black and white.Its always better to have more for the raw image and clean it up latter when in doubt.

I use Fred Miranda's Black and White actions in Photoshop 6. I also use channels in PS6 and then fiddle a lot until I get the contrast I like the best. When you get a minute, perhaps you could check out my black and white gallery on pbase - http://www.pbase.com/sheila/bw

Cheers
Sheila

sheila wrote:I use Fred Miranda's Black and White actions in Photoshop 6. I also use channels in PS6 and then fiddle a lot until I get the contrast I like the best. When you get a minute, perhaps you could check out my black and white gallery on pbase - http://www.pbase.com/sheila/bw

Cheers
Sheila

Thanks, Sheila. I use PS6 as well but I don't remember seeing the name "Fred Miranda". What is that exactly? Your site looks great...now if I can just get my G2 back from the factory soon.

I'm another fan of Fred's actions. go to http://www.fredmiranda.com and select the actions button. The forums there are also very good.

rbphelan wrote:I'm another fan of Fred's actions. go to http://www.fredmiranda.com and select the actions button. The forums there are also very good.

That's a great site...thanks!

I've played quite a bit with the B&W on my camera (FujiFilm 6900z) and, at the end of the day, the results it yeilds are nothing compared to taking in colour and then doing the rest in Photoshop.

I used Photoshop 7 at the moment (I use it nearly every day with work) and the easiest way to get a good B&W is to do the following (and this will work with all versions down to 4.0, probably more) -

image / adjustments / desaturate

then

image / adjustments / brightness and contrast

Play with the sliders to get the effect you want. I usually drop the brightness by about 10% and then up the contrast by around 20%. This pic - http://www.pbase.com/image/18430663 - is about the best example I've made using this technique. I can upload the original picture if desired (or just drop me an email).

As has already been stated in this thread though, when you take the shot plan to have it in B&W. Just seems to help. Then again, compared to most of the people on this site I'm nothing but a weak amatuer

-Alex

Thanks for the tip...I'll try it out.

Re-B/W or colour-shooting for later B/W conversion;
There is one great advantage in shooting with the camera set for B&W and that is resolution. Several elements of the CCD chip are used to form a colour whereas each one provides grey-scale data.

If your camera gives you the BW option (Nikons Coolpixes do) the results speak for themselves.
warwick_stanley