More of Michaela

ShepsMom

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Ok, i have a question. My B&W looks like crap! I can't figure it out. I tried different techniques, but nothing really works well. cry:cry
Help :dunno

jeffreaux2

I like the poses...but wish she were smiling in more of them. Black tops and white trousers make for a tough portrait. The exposures look good as well. Highlights in blonde hair can be hard to control, but you got em.


As for the BWs......They appear to carry a large amount of contrast. It is possible that the color version you converted from had too much contrast. Maybe try converting from the out of camera shot and then adjust contrast.

PineapplePhoto

ShepsMom wrote:

Ok, i have a question. My B&W looks like crap! I can't figure it out. I tried different techniques, but nothing really works well. cry:cry
Help

B&W conversion tutorial -> http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/1126557

I love that picture

ShepsMom

Thanks Jeff, i'll give it another try, god know for 100th time
As far as her smiling, she doesn't want to smile, don't even ask

jeffreaux2

ShepsMom wrote:

Thanks Jeff, i'll give it another try, god know for 100th time
As far as her smiling, she doesn't want to smile, don't even ask

Ha Ha......been there done that.....and probably will again.

ShepsMom

Is this any better? It looks Grey not black to me.

I want to achieve something and i don't know what. I've seen some B&W that just blow me away, this is just plain as it gets.

jeffreaux2

It is much better, but the blacks are still very deep. One other issue may be that her arms are lit brighter than her face. Lighten the blacks some more...and then use subtle...multiple vignettes of differing and irregular shapes and sizes to gradually lead to her face?

I gave it a try, but it would be better to work from the color version.

Ann McRae

Marina - do you have Scott Kelby's CS3 book? I tried his BW conversion recipe last night and really like it. pg 242. If you don't maybe I can try to muddle through the explanation.


And I recognize the age/pout.....I wish the kids weren't always trying to act so old!!!

ann

ShepsMom

Ann, i don't have his book, i know, i was about to buy one but never did. Would you mind playing with the image if i give you an original?

May be you can tell me what you did, if you have time. I probably should purchase his book.

Thanks for your help!!

ShepsMom

jeffreaux2 wrote:

It is much better, but the blacks are still very deep. One other issue may be that her arms are lit brighter than her face. Lighten the blacks some more...and then use subtle...multiple vignettes of differing and irregular shapes and sizes to gradually lead to her face?

I gave it a try, but it would be better to work from the color version.

Jeff, i'll send you an original JPEG, unless you want RAW file? How do i send that??

jeffreaux2

ShepsMom wrote:

Jeff, i'll send you an original JPEG, unless you want RAW file? How do i send that??

Just pm me a link to it and allow downloading.

ShepsMom

Jeff, you've got PM.

Ann McRae

ShepsMom wrote:

Ann, i don't have his book, i know, i was about to buy one but never did. Would you mind playing with the image if i give you an original?

May be you can tell me what you did, if you have time. I probably should purchase his book.

Thanks for your help!!

Hi Marina

Straight from the book:

1. Open color image
2. Press D (sets foreground color to black)
3. Open new adjustment layer and choose 'Gradient Map'
4.Click Ok
5. If you wish to tweak, double click direnctly on the gradient map adjustment layer thimbnail to bring dialog box back
6. Click directly below center of gradient to add color stop (little pointy arrow appears where you clicked)
7. Double click on the color stop - color picker appears. Pick a grey from far right - move curser up & down til you darken or lighten to your satisfaction. You have to let go of mouse button to see changes.
8. Click okay to close color picker.
9. You can now move slider on gradient map to adjust the tone of the image.
10. Optional - change opacity of the layer to give a wash effect.

HTH

ann

jeffreaux2

ShepsMom wrote:

Jeff, you've got PM.

Here is my version...slightly tinted...and my blacks got pretty inky when I got it ouside of PS.

ShepsMom

Thanks Jeff, this looks good, the original does look more inky .