B&W Coversions

[Dave W]

Hi all, just looking for some advice on B&W conversions.

I often see people commenting on a shot and saying "nice conversion". Now I'm rarely happy with my B&W conversions.

I'm using PSP x10 and have the options of either convert to grayscale or using the black and white film effect. The film effect isn't bad but I'd prefer more control as the image never looks as good as it could.

So does anyone have any advice on doing decent conversions in PSP.

Thanks in advance, Dave.

 

[Betty]

Well would you believe it??? Ive just finished watching a tutorial on B+W conversions on CD from this months Digital Camera mag. If you want, PM me your address, and Ill pass it on?

Share the wealth

 

[Dave W]

Well would you believe it??? Ive just finished watching a tutorial on B+W conversions on CD from this months Digital Camera mag. If you want, PM me your address, and Ill pass it on?

Share the wealth

Betty, you're very kind and I will gladly take you up on your kind offer.

I will ask however if it's relevant to PSP, I couldn't afford anything from adobe and sadly the vast majority of tutorials are for adobe products. If you think it's relevant then I will take advantage of your generosity.

Dave.

 

[Betty]

I only watched the CS3 tutorial, but there are others on there as well, I had a look at them, and most could be adapted to other programs

 

[Dave W]

I only watched the CS3 tutorial, but there are others on there as well, I had a look at them, and most could be adapted to other programs

Thanks a lot Betty, PM on way.

 

[Betty]

And hey, if you find you cant get on with them, you've lost nothing right?

 

[Dave W]

And hey, if you find you cant get on with them, you've lost nothing right?

Indeed, if karma is true then get a lottery ticket for wednesday.

 

[Betty]

Indeed

Come on guys, anyone else able to help out?

 

[cowasaki]

Basically there are a number of processes to get from COLOUR to B&W and the process that you use will depend on a number of possible points.....

http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/03/03/12-ways-to-make-a-black-white-photo/

This is the best I can find for you....

 

[Dave W]

Basically there are a number of processes to get from COLOUR to B&W and the process that you use will depend on a number of possible points.....

http://blog.epicedits.com/2007/03/03/12-ways-to-make-a-black-white-photo/

This is the best I can find for you....

Thanks for that, I'll have a dabble.

 

[chrisforshaw]

This probably won't be much help but since I've moved to primarily using LR2 rather than Elements I've found my conversions coming out much better.

 

[Alison]

Depending on the image, I use one of 4 methods (or a variety of combinations to get the best result) in CS3:

Channel Mixer
Calculations
Lab Lightness Channel
Mucking about with duotones/tritones/quadtones

I struggle in general with post-processing but the foregoing are all very simple and effective. If I can master them, anyone can! Learning these techniques has been interesting, easy and improved my colour-to-monochrome attempts no end.

HTH,
Alison

I've also tried the same techniques in PSP 9 and GIMP and they work to equally good effect.