Hope this isn't too stupid a question(s), but last time I shot B/W I was using film, and that was a few decades ago. Now I'd like to get back into that realm, but I'm not sure if I should shoot using my 30D or XT in B/W mode, or shoot in color and post-process. In color, I'm used to shooting exlusively in RAW, so that's another factor, and honestly I just thought of this - with the camera in RAW, can I even select B/W? I've been using BibblePro for processing now, and while I also have CS2, I'm weak in skills required to use it with any real power. So, what's the best way to get started? I've recently seen more than a few PS actions available for download that convert color to B/W - are any worthwhile?
Lots of questions, but thanks in advance for any pointers to get me started in this direction.
I think you will see different answers here to this question. I always shoot color(never know, maybe the color shot will be better) and convert it to B&W in PS. Seems to have more latitudes to control tonality that way.
Hope this isn't too stupid a question(s), but last time I shot B/W I was using film, and that was a few decades ago. Now I'd like to get back into that realm, but I'm not sure if I should shoot using my 30D or XT in B/W mode, or shoot in color and post-process. In color, I'm used to shooting exlusively in RAW, so that's another factor, and honestly I just thought of this - with the camera in RAW, can I even select B/W? I've been using BibblePro for processing now, and while I also have CS2, I'm weak in skills required to use it with any real power. So, what's the best way to get started? I've recently seen more than a few PS actions available for download that convert color to B/W - are any worthwhile?
Lots of questions, but thanks in advance for any pointers to get me started in this direction....Show more →
Mastering Black and White Didital Photography by Michael Freeman is a pretty good book on the topic.
I highly recommend the Maurice Hamilton book: Digital Black & White Photography Techniques Using Adobe Photoshop. The Freeman book is also good, though less detailed in its approach (has some very pretty pictures though!).
From recent posts on B&W conversion: (from Piglet)
Use the following link to download the excellent Black and White Conversion Tutorial
by John Paul Caponigro.
Now you have an even bigger project! I mostly use a gradient map, channel mixer or hue/saturation to convert to B&W, with a hue/saturation and selective color layer between the B&W conversion layer and the color background (this is described in detail in Hamilton's book). By manipulating the settings in the H/S and SC layers, you can get just about any combination of B&W tones you want. I also use the Gorman and Sulonen method.
