Black Point

anonymouscuban · August 20, 2012

Better Chuck?

Hackbone · August 21, 2012

Love it. The first step in my processing is to raise the black point 10points for all files. Digital files seem very flat to me and I think raising the black point helps alot.

What really matters in the long run is do YOU like it.

divamum · August 21, 2012

Alex, this is a HUGE improvement. I think I mentioned when you first posted the ones from this session that they neeeded more pop on my monitor, and this has provided it. Gorgeous shot of two adorable girls

anonymouscuban · August 21, 2012

Thanks guys.

I do like it more actually. At first, I kind of wanted that sun washed look. Guess that's the best way I could describe it but I do admit that setting the black point really added a lot of depth which make the photo much better.

Bilsen · August 21, 2012

Don't know what the black point discussion was but this is pretty close to perfect outdoor work.

anonymouscuban · August 21, 2012

JohnGalt_ny wrote: »

Don't know what the black point discussion was but this is pretty close to perfect outdoor work.

Thank you sir. Basically, Diva and Chuck Master Charles suggested I lower the black point on this set of photos when I posted them. At first, I disagreed. I knew the black point was a bit off but I thought I wanted that flarie-fresh-summery look to this set but then I tried it and realized they were totally correcto!

joshhuntnm · August 21, 2012

Hackbone wrote: »

Love it. The first step in my processing is to raise the black point 10points for all files. Digital files seem very flat to me and I think raising the black point helps alot.

What really matters in the long run is do YOU like it.

I default to 15

anonymouscuban · August 22, 2012

Hackbone wrote: »

Love it. The first step in my processing is to raise the black point 10points for all files. Digital files seem very flat to me and I think raising the black point helps alot.

What really matters in the long run is do YOU like it.

joshhuntnm wrote: »

I default to 15

OK... both of you guys have me curious. You guys are talking about "points" to raise black point. Sounds like you guys are using a different method to do this than I do.

I first create a Threshold adjustment layer in PS. I take the slider all the way to the left and then slowly move it to the right until I see the first part of my photo that shows up. This should be true black. I set the color sampler dropper tool to set a tick mark on this point.
Then I slide all the way to the right and then slowly bring it back to the left until the whitest part of the photo is displayed. I set another tick mark with the color sampler dropper. This is my white point.
I then discard the Threshold layer and create a Curves adjustment layer.
I select the black point eye dropper in the curves adjustment window and click it on the first tick mark. I now have my black point set.
I then take the white point eye dropper thingy and click it on the second tick mark. This is my white point.
Done.

kdog · August 22, 2012

I didn't see the original, but man, that's a cracking good shot. I love your scientific method for setting black and white points, although I'm not that sophisticated. I just watch the histogram and clipping alerts and season to taste.

Hackbone · August 22, 2012

I raise the black point in the raw files and apply it to all files. If I want more during photoshop I go to levels and move the left slider to the right and at times even the mid slider to the right. Right now I'm using Capture 1 and or Lightroom for the conversions.

zoomer · August 22, 2012

I do it like Hackbone.
First I adjust in Lightroom, it defaults to +5 point which is usually about right.
I usually adjust to whatever the histogram is telling me if there is room to the right or left in the histogram I adjust some version of brightness or blacks (there are a lot of different ways to do this in Lightroom).
This is usually all I do.

For the few photos that I do additional work to in Elements I use the Levels Menu. I drag the arrow to the edge of the histogram on both sides (adjust to taste) Then I use the black and white (sometimes gray) eyedroppers to check color and done.

Either way I keep the histogram open and use it as my guide for every shot.

divamum · August 22, 2012

I'm the same - I start in LR, although I don't use a default. I just look at the histogram and drag the black slider up as needed.

Alex, I think for the summery/flare look you actually needed MORE flare than you have in this shot - you've got it as a beautiful rim light, but it seems to be partially blocked by your subjects. When you have more light hitting the lens and those resulting blobs/streaks, I think you get more what you're talking about.

I'll admit I've tried it a few times and always found it terribly difficult to achieve, so my hat is off to those esteemed wedding/lifestyle shooters who seem to nail it all the time!!

anonymouscuban · August 22, 2012

I agree Diva. The flare shot is a tough one. I haven't really tried much to do it because every time I have, it's been a terrible failure. Here is one that is closer I think but still not enough flare. You can see one of the blobs above their head.

BTW, I hate that stupid tree trunk in the back. I guess I could clone it out but I'm not sure the shot is worth the effort.

jmphotocraft · August 24, 2012

The first shot is gold. Perfect lighting, bravo. I sorta wish it wasn't cropped so tightly as I think Mom's eyes are a bit close to the top edge. The pacifier ruins the second shot for me, so I wouldn't bother cloning the tree unless they order a print.

Black Point

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