bw conversion actions

System

this is to show different conversions for color to bw-

color photo:

System

this is to show different conversions for color to bw-
the first is jp caponigro's actions as shown at
http://www.adobe.com/digitalimag/ps_pro_primers.html

with pdf tutorial and link to free action download-

bw with rgb channels and luminosity channel:

System

caponigro's action with rgb channels:

System

fred miranda's bw action and duotone:

System

gorman, or carr's, bw conversion as found at

http://www.designbyfire.com/000100.html :

System

the last one is based on dan margulis lab color book-
I tweak all rgb channels and replace one channel with another in apply image if a channel looks particularly weak-
then tweak the rgb channel and go to channel mixer and formulate to taste-
then usually to grayscale and 8bit then duotone (or tri or quad)-

ReneesEyes

How about Amber Ludlow's bw conversion? I love Rob Carr's, but my action "broke" and I can't find it anywhere, can't remember where I got it. I love contrast...

Nice photo. I like to see different conversions.

cletus

caponigro's get's my vote

System

this is by no means a scientific or even fair comparison- I have my preferences if I'm in a hurry I'll go to the caponigro actions or fred miranda conversion and get the bw knocked out-
if I'm working hard on a conversion I'll usually go to the margulis method-
you also have bw conversions here on dg by rutt and by andy--

I don't know if this helps any; there are some subjective qualities to some of these conversions and I also used different duotones on the photos; some styles might suit a picture more appropriately than another; one might be chosen just because it's faster-

if I have misrepresented any style of conversion, I apologize and ask to be corrected; it's hard to keep up with all of them-

thanks
george

System

ReneesEyes wrote:

How about Amber Ludlow's bw conversion? I love Rob Carr's, but my action "broke" and I can't find it anywhere, can't remember where I got it. I love contrast...

Nice photo. I like to see different conversions.

Renee-
please see the link in #5 for Carr's conversion-
george

ReneesEyes

I'm glad you posted them I had not heard of some of those. Have you ever used www.optikvervelabs.com ? Here's their blue tone, tweaked.

Renee

System

cletus wrote:

caponigro's get's my vote

Eric-

#2 or 3? and why?

george

System

ReneesEyes wrote:

I'm glad you posted them I had not heard of some of those. Have you ever used www.optikvervelabs.com ? Here's their blue tone, tweaked.

Renee

yes, I have it and forgot it (don't use it that much) but has a quantity of different styles to choose from (also color)-

thanks Renee
george

ReneesEyes

George,

Thanks, I had looked at the link but didn't scroll ALL the way down...I see it there as a conversion and not an actual action--just have to make it into one. Thanks!

On optikverve, my favorites are radiant for color, and hollywood for b/w...play with the settings. It is so much fun and FREE!

I also have NIK that I got with my tablet, haven't used it much.

The photo ALMOST makes me miss the snow...I'm a native Pittsburgher and live in San Antonio!

Renee

wxwax

You know what? This photo is a perfect example for Rutt and his pet peeve - unnecessary B&W conversions.

This shot looks so good in color, the B&Ws are uniformly a step down in visual interest. I know this was just an exercise, but I'm so struck with the color image that Rutt's dictum popped into my.... mind.

cletus

gefillmore wrote:

Eric-

#2 or 3? and why?

george

#3:


Great combination of contrast and tone. Tons of contrast without blownout highlights and no over-dark shadows.

System

wxwax wrote:

You know what? This photo is a perfect example for Rutt and his pet peeve - unnecessary B&W conversions.

This shot looks so good in color, the B&Ws are uniformly a step down in visual interest. I know this was just an exercise, but I'm so struck with the color image that Rutt's dictum popped into my.... mind.

Sid-

I agree, but yes, this was just an exercise, and I love black and white and am always searching for the perfect print-

george

System

another one I forgot is Power Retouche which is a plugin and has controls (too many!) for dynamic range, black definition, toned photos, black and white studio, and so on-
here is a platinum tone with basically nothing done for bw conversion-

System

cletus wrote:

#3:


Great combination of contrast and tone. Tons of contrast without blownout highlights and no over-dark shadows.

thanks Eric-

george

System

one more-
power retouche's bw studio, tri-x equivalent: