Few B&W's

[mudder]

G'day all,

Been much too boring lately, working too much so had to get out and have a play... Especially after splurging on a new lens (the yummy 24-105L)...

Lens is nice and sharp, IS is terrific but surprising amount of CA... Especially at the wide end, easily corrected in CS2 but nevertheless was a little more pronounced than I would have expected in an "L"...

Anyway, went out for a quick play at the "Alfred Nicholas gardens" in Sherbrooke... Lovely peaceful and serene spot, wow what a backyard...

Couple of quickies done in B&W, not sure how they came out as I didn't spend much time on these, only a few minutes each, any C&C (good and bad) is much appreciated, that's how I learn...

EXIF: 5D, 24-105@32mm, F11, man exp 4seconds, CPL


EXIF: 5D, 24-105@80mm, F14, man exp 3.2 seconds, CPL




Also, had a play with an older image I took a few months ago while on the way home from a workshop, bit rough around the edges but was playing in B&W so what the heck... Need to tidy up around the edges though...

EXIF: D70, Nikkor 12-24@18mm, F16, man exp 1/60th, CPL

[sheepie]

Hey Mudder I like all three of these, but the last one is a corker - really like the treatment. The darker sky on the left is balanced well by the tree on the right, and the wider angle suits the barren nature of the scene

[Manta]

Nice work Andrew. 1 and 3 for me (3 is a ripper) The softer contrast in 2 lets it down. Maybe haveing a squizz at the channels will reveal one that holds the detail and has some sharp contrast as well.

[admajic]

I have to agree with Sheepie. No3 is a corker!! Love it. The others are nice and sharp. Gratz on your new lense

Adam

[Just4AP]

OK Andrew here is something for you ( and the rest ) to play with.....

Try this and create an action to make the process easier.

START the action recording....
1) Duplicate your Image Name it B&W IMAGE
2) Create an adjustment layer - Select Hue & Sat - Name it HUE-SAT-FILTER - just press OK
(This will simulate putting on coloured filters - red etc)
(When action is finished try moving the HUE slider and watch effect then
(change SAT to intensify effect ..)
3) Create another adjustment layer - select Channel Mixer - Nmae it BW
( Set the initial settings - these may be changed later )
(RED 36% GREEN 30% BLUE 34% Contrast -4% Tick Monochrome box)
4) Create another Adjustment layer - Curves - Named AdjContrastUP set the following
( Set the following points :- 28,0 60,56 159,171 255,255 )
5) Create another adjustment layer - Curves - Named AdjContrastDOWN set the following
( Set the following points :- 0,0 15,31 57,85 159,171 255,255 )
6) Hide this layer by turning the "Eye" off.
7) Select background layer
8 ) Make another adjustment layer - Brightness/Contrast - Name this layer EXTRACONTRAST
leave settings at zero - OK
9) Now insert a STOP command and leave yourself a message about tweaking settings....DONE!!!
10) Stop the action recording
10) Now run the action and try the Hue/Sat first especially if there are clouds and blue
skies in your image - move the hue until the "blue sky" (now grey) turns to its darkest and then boost it with the SAT slider - This will give an Ansell Look.. You can play with the rest.

For CS2 users - I have added an extra step in betwwen 3 and 4 and that is an adjustment layer of Photo Fliter - This is optional and would normally set to Hide as this almost duplicates the Hue/Sat layer. But can be used to double the strength of the filter.

Good Luck

Peter

[gstark]

Andrew,

Nice work. That lens/camera combo is sweet.

[Just4AP]

Feeling Generous here is another .....

This method I made up a while ago and have never seen it anywhere, so maybe it is a first here who knows.

This will only work in CS2

Try this and create an action to make the process easier.

START the action recording....
1) Duplicate your Image Name it MonoImage
2) Create an adjustment layer for HUE/SAT - Just press OK
3) Create an adjustment layer - Select Photo Filter -
(Change the colour to BLACK 0,0,0) Press OK
4) Drag this Photo Filter layer to Create new layer Icon to duplicate this layer
5) Now change the blend mode of this duped layer to SOFT LIGHT at 66% opacity
6) Create another adjustment layer - Curves - Just press OK
7) Create an adjustment layer - Select Photo Filter - Name COLOUR - Set Density to 1% press OK

8 ) Now insert a STOP command and leave yourself a message about tweaking settings....DONE!!!
9) Stop recording the action
10) Now run the action and try adjusting the Hue/Sat first.
Adjust the curves layer to suit...
The opacity of the duped Photo Filter layer can be tweaked.

That's it for Black and White however it was titled MonoImage so for a change..

Adjust the top Photo Filter layer (named COLOUR) for example select Sepia and adjust density.


Good Luck

Peter

[mudder]

Strewth... Terrific stuff Peter, much appreciate the trouble you've gone to here...

Haven't played with actions before but I see where you're heading with the adjustment layers... I've played with having two hue/sat layers using a technique from Russell Brown which means you can alter the tones of the B&W effect and you can see the changes to the results as you change the hue... I'll have a play with your tips...

Thanks mate... This is what the forum is all about, sharing info and techniques... Great stuff...

[Just4AP]

and thanks for the appreciation Andrew. Also you really should cut your neck hair - very messy

[marcotrov]

#3 is a terrific shot Andrew. Love the contrast and lovely smooth tones
cheers
marco

[ABG]

Lovely b/w conversions Andrew. #3 in aprticular is a wonderful shot.

Thanks also to Peter for sharing his PS insights