Grandchildren - the B&Ws

Ann McRae

I do not do alot of B & W, but I do enjoy a good portrait that way. I decided to invest a bit of time and try some of the tips about b&w conversions from this thread

I played a bit too with some filters offered by PSPXI. Let me know what you think:

TristanP

Looks to me like most of the skin is blown in these. Maybe ratchet down your action or method a tad.

Ann McRae

Hi Tristan

They do look really blown on this laptop too.
These are the ones I pushed trying for a high contrast feel. When I edited them, I ran the eye dropper over the 'hot' places and they all measured less than 255....however on this monitor they appear way off the scale. Interesting, and I'd enjoy some discussion on why that is likely.

ann

TristanP wrote:

Looks to me like most of the skin is blown in these. Maybe ratchet down your action or method a tad.

TristanP

I pulled the second pic off real quick and sampled the hot areas. His cheeks, nose, and chin, plus right arm all measure 255 for the most part. I did a quick Shadows/Highlights adjustment (50% on the highlights) and that gives it more of a high contrast look, because it pulls some detail back into the "blown" areas. I looked at the Threshold (Image | Adjustments | Threshold) and at 253 there are large blown areas. Even at 255, significant areas are still blown. I would guess it may be that your monitor settings aren't quite right (they certainly don't seem to match each other). Do you have any sort of calibration set up? Even just Adobe Gamma? Weird ambient lighting conditions?

ShepsMom

They look blown on my monitor as well

Ann McRae

Okay - I have realized my error here - these are the ones that I converted and then changed (shortened) the curve on - to blow the skin and to make high contrast.

I take it that it is not pleasing.

So maybe take a look at one that has only the conversion to it:


Collection is here:
http://canadian-ann.smugmug.com/gallery/2543641#186917678

Hubby doesn't like the b&w either....is it a bad technique that I've used or just not suited for BW?

ann

ShepsMom

Ann, i think this one looks very good, no harsh light, and pleasing to the eyes.