Contrasty black and white portrait

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Like most people around here I have an interest in Black & White photography, specifically portraiture. Having looked at many many examples from both pros and amateurs I noticed that quite often the more amateur looking shots tend to be very grey, they don’t quite have the contrasty snap that I like, it’s like they lack dynamic range.

Is this down to lighting? Or are there other aspects to consider?

I’m looking at doing a portrait session at some point in the near future and have a grey vinyl background, some speedlights for background and rim, and a couple of 300w lencarta heads with a lastolite translucent and a silver parabolic mega umbrella. Plus I will be hiring out a local village hall, so plenty of space and height.
Tips appreciated on how to firstly move in the right direction and secondly n how to avoid that ghastly grey wash look.

I will try and search for some examples.

Thanks
 
Processing? In lightroom you can push the clarity and whites, however with studio lighting you could set up for hikey or low key depending on requirements
 
If you really want to get into B&W then you could try:

http://www.digitalmonochromeforum.co.uk/forum.php

The shots on there - including processing - are of a very high standard.

One method of processing you will see referred to in there is 'Contrast Grading'. I recently took the plunge and bought the DVD (?£25). I am still going through it but have already improved my processing of a B&W image I first did about a year ago.

If I can get anywhere near the standard of processing of some of the stuff on there, then I will be well pleased.
 
It's simply that newbies think that simply desaturating an image is all you need to create a B&W image.

The usual caveats apply, good lighting improves the end result.
 
A quick example of what a little basic processing can do for a picture. No claims about how well it was done or the actual photo, but here is the original shot which was converted into B&W and a quick play to raise contrast and sharpness to convey a feeling rather than enhance the sitters already weathered face !
While the lighting for any picture is so very important, these will show that whatever the picture looks like you can change it a fair amount by processing, and I am no expert in any way at it !


3408 by stevewestern on Talk Photography

After


2031 by stevewestern on Talk Photography
 
Hum, I'll just plant the seed... with a black background...
 
Thanks for the input peeps,

From a processing point I would like to think that I'm reasonably competant (like to think, ha) I use lightroom and silver efex.

To give you a ittle more about what i'm thinking would be to say look at some of the David Bailey portraits, Im not wanting to push as hard as what he does though, some of his blacks have no detail.

I'm also beinginning to think that may be its more a result of the effect shooting either high key or low key and possibly using film.
 
I think the photographs above demonstrate what I'm thinking. The first image is quite flat and when converted to B&W the skin tones are similar to that of the background. This sort of backs my thinking of using good quality lighting for seperation at the begining to give it that snap. Nothing wrong with the coversion though and I accept its all subjective.

I take back what I said about amature images at the start of the thread, its not what I meant and is wrong as many pros shoot in ways that don't fit what I want.
 
stevewestern said:
A quick example of what a little basic processing can do for a picture. No claims about how well it was done or the actual photo, but here is the original shot which was converted into B&W and a quick play to raise contrast and sharpness to convey a feeling rather than enhance the sitters already weathered face !
While the lighting for any picture is so very important, these will show that whatever the picture looks like you can change it a fair amount by processing, and I am no expert in any way at it !

3408 by stevewestern on Talk Photography
After
2031 by stevewestern on Talk Photography
Click to expand...

Sorry, no wish to offend, but I don't feel these shots demonstrate good lighting or good black and white pp. Your lighting is very flat and one dimensional. Lack of any noticeable core. I also feel your screen needs calibrating if you feel this is good exposure.
 
JennyGW said:
Sorry, no wish to offend, but I don't feel these shots demonstrate good lighting or good black and white pp. Your lighting is very flat and one dimensional.
Click to expand...

I think you rather missed the point I was trying to make - the idea was to show that a poorly lit shot could with even the most basic pp be made to look less washed out and more snappy, which is what the OP had mentioned.
 
stevewestern said:
I think you rather missed the point I was trying to make - the idea was to show that a poorly lit shot could with even the most basic pp be made to look less washed out and more snappy, which is what the OP had mentioned.
Click to expand...

I got the point, but the problem is, a badly lit shot is a badly lit shot no matter how amazing your skills are with Photoshop.
 
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