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TheAllSeeingEye
enthusiast


Reged: 05/12/2008
Posts: 346
Loc: Kent, England.
Black & White Conversion
      #746803 - 05/01/2009 22:21

Does anyone have any tried and tested tecniques for converting coloured files to mono? I mainly shoot portraiture and find that the standard conversion in CS3 leaves the image looking flat and devoid of its full tonal range. I have tried the action downloads from the thread in these forums and am getting very similar results. Does anyone have any tips on conversion or giving the image a boost post conversion?

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Sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit but has the fortunate by-product of also being the most humerous!

My Flickr


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gsix14
member


Reged: 27/10/2006
Posts: 144
Re: Black & White Conversion [Re: TheAllSeeingEye]
      #746822 - 05/01/2009 23:03

I use Lightroom and convert my images to B&W as raw files. I stay in RGB mode and desaturate all the colours in the channel mixer to get a greyscale image. I then use the contrast, exposure and white balance controls (sounds odd, but works well and is a reason to stay in RGB) to tweak the image and give it a boost.

It's a while since I used the CS3 for raw conversion, but you might be able to do similar in camera raw?

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Tim

timdolan.co.uk


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FenModerator
BAD WOLF


Reged: 12/03/2002
Posts: 25712
Loc: London'ish
Re: Black & White Conversion [Re: TheAllSeeingEye]
      #746871 - 06/01/2009 08:07

There's a page on my website for B&W conversion in Photoshop.

Three Different Ways

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Fen .......... My Fen's AP Galleries - My Blog - My Flickr

"Apologies to right-eyed shooters. You're screwed."
- Joe Mcnally


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TheAllSeeingEye
enthusiast


Reged: 05/12/2008
Posts: 346
Loc: Kent, England.
Re: Black & White Conversion [Re: Fen]
      #747193 - 06/01/2009 21:49

Thanks Tim & Fen, I have tried all 3 methods now and am pleased with the results! I now have some adjustment and tonal range to my shots. I just have the dilemma of deciding which method to stick with now!

I'm impressed with your website Fen, its very easy to navigate and you have some cracking shots on their

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Sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit but has the fortunate by-product of also being the most humerous!

My Flickr


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FenModerator
BAD WOLF


Reged: 12/03/2002
Posts: 25712
Loc: London'ish
Re: Black & White Conversion [Re: TheAllSeeingEye]
      #747231 - 07/01/2009 05:30

Glad to help. Thanks for the comments

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Fen .......... My Fen's AP Galleries - My Blog - My Flickr

"Apologies to right-eyed shooters. You're screwed."
- Joe Mcnally


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andy_m
newbie


Reged: 06/06/2006
Posts: 46
Loc: Chorley, Lancashire
Re: Black & White Conversion [Re: Fen]
      #747843 - 08/01/2009 22:20

I do all my conversions using the channel mixer method which fen describes. I then make further adjustments (contrast, etc) on a curves adjustment layer.

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www.theviewfromthenorth.org



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parkeremily10
newbie


Reged: 06/11/2009
Posts: 7
Re: Black & White Conversion [Re: TheAllSeeingEye]
      #843610 - 09/11/2009 12:00

It is very much possible in photoshop. One method is go to image then click on adjustments and then desaturate. But it is not a better way to do conversion because in this method you have less control.

Second method is to use channel mixer to do this you have to go to the "channels" palette, located within the "layers". For this you have to go image and then adjustments then Channel Mixer. In the channel mixer click on monochrome and start moving the channels. here you have to select appropriate RGB


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ermintrude
Hinkypuff


Reged: 30/06/2003
Posts: 15122
Loc: London, UK
Re: Black & White Conversion [Re: parkeremily10]
      #843615 - 09/11/2009 12:07

Phiggy? Is that you?

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(Ctrl A > Ctrl C )


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baldyd
newbie


Reged: 08/06/2009
Posts: 7
Loc: Worcester, United Kingdon
Re: Black & White Conversion [Re: gsix14]
      #850323 - 07/12/2009 23:19

I used to use the Channel Mixer, the Curves Method. Local Dodge/Burn an be done quite well with nice feathered adjustment layers and additional local curves adjustments.

I have recently purchased Silver Efex Pro, and thr "Upoint" adjustments is very good. If you do a lot of B&S Conversion it is definately wrth a look.

THere is also great control over grain, split toning,and vigette (I like the burnt edges look).

The "Structure" slider does something clever, somewhere in between sharpening and enhancing contract, but is great for bringing out detail.

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Baldyd
Please read the forum guidelines regarding links before adding URLs here. Thank you. Admin.


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