Help with black and white

[powell7]

Hi all

I'm struggling with my black and white conversions.

Mine just seem flat and don't have that wow effect that I see from others.

Is there certain adjustment to make or is it a case of running it threw some dedicated software?

I currently use cs5 and Lightroom 4

 

[mattd85]

Can you post an example and explain what you have done? It may help us understand and help you better?

Matt

 

[nikonuser]

There are some good B+W Actions here for Photoshop...I like the Gorman B+W Action as you can alter it to your taste afterwards
http://www.atncentral.com/bw_conv.html

Dave
Ps - to be honest most people tend to use NIK Silver EFEX Pro

 

[redhed17]

How are you converting to B&W?

 

[Jan K.]

Maybe you can find some inspiration at Northlight Images? http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/features.html#Image_processing_techniques

 

[powell7]

thankyou for the help guys,here`s an example of what I`m talking about.
this is one of my photos


and here`s what I`m trying to get mine to look like,they just seem to have more punch





convert to black and white
my steps on editing are
adjust levels
adjust contrast/brightness
sharpen and reduce noise

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

The first of those shots has some lovely tones that would be best left alone.
Most people would settle for the others as well.

However you would do better to control Contrast and brightness using Curves as you can alter the Tones and their relative contrasts individually throughout the range.

You can also alter actual areas in the image by burning and dodging selectively with the brush set to highlights medium and shadow tones.

All in all those are not far off what they could be.

 

[nikonuser]

Chris - hope you don't mind but just had a go at your image - if you want me to remove it then please PM me.
Used Gormans B+W conversion on the B+W image and it still processed it, then Levels, Tonal Contrast in Color EFEX Pro and then Sharpened using NIK Sharpening.
Dave

Or this using Curves in PS with a Mask then adding vignette to edges to focus attention on the bride.

 

[Brian_of_Bozeat]

The first thing I noticed with your image is that there are no actual whites or blacks in it.

Check the histograms of the images you posted as examples of what you like, then check your image... see what I mean?

I think a simple levels adjustment in PS would bring it to life.

 

[Brian_of_Bozeat]

Here's 1 minutes work. All I used was a "levels" adjustment in Photoshop

 

[powell7]

Thanks for the help guys.

The problem I have is that mine just seem grey,no real difference between whites and blacks.
I'm going to have ago at some shots tonight with the help you guys have given me and see what I can come up with

 

[nikonuser]

The first thing I noticed with your image is that there are no actual whites or blacks in it.

Check the histograms of the images you posted as examples of what you like, then check your image... see what I mean?

I think a simple levels adjustment in PS would bring it to life.

Brian - not sure if you are referring to Chris image or mine here........for information
If you take a look at this site
http://www.digitalmonochromeforum.co.uk/forum.php
There are really some excellent examples of B&W images.
One of Ian Barbers video suggests that you set the black point to 7 and the white point to 247 to prevent pure black or paper white when you come to print out.....which is what I did with these images.
That is not to say that you can never have an image with pure black tones in it
Dave

 

[nikonuser]

Sorry, double posted due to TP website being down this morning

 

[Brian_of_Bozeat]

If you take a look at this website
http://www.digitalmonochromeforum.co.uk/forum.php
There are some excellent examples of B&W images
If you have a look at Ian Barber video on setting a white and a black point he talks about setting the black point to 7 and the white point to 247 to prevent a pure black and paper white when printing the image and this is what I have done with this image.
That is not to say that there can never be pure black tones in an image

Sorry for the confusion. My comments were aimed at the OP's image, not a critique of yours which are excellent.

FWIW: I adjust the OUTPUT side of levels for printing.

Thanks for the link btw, I will have to have a proper browse over there when I have some more time.

 

[nikonuser]

Cheers, thanks for the clarification
Dave