10-10-2011, 11:08 AM
[quote name='PuxaVida' timestamp='1318167247' post='12239']
Hi Ian,
I liked some of these B&W shots very much. Even though mostly shot gainst the sun, the DR looks ok but it can be improved. I can suggest a pair of to-dos based on my present B&W workflow:
- It's better to post process B&W in raw converter (in my case, ACR). CS4 has it's limits...
- play with various color channels (focus on the colors you give higher priority) and check how the image look like. E.g. check the noise, check DR and moreover, check how the particular shapes/parts of the image stand out with the slider up/down. You will see that the color channel sliders are very powerful in B&W)
- play with the global contrast and the clarity slides very carefully, especially if you post process portrait shots with very limited DoF. From my experiences, I can say that the clarity slider worsens the transitions in blur if increased too much.
- If the DR is still not satisfactory, open image in PS and use shadow&highlights -very carefully- not loose too much contrast. Actually, I use S&H as a last resort...
And concerning the low sun image, I find that the most challenging thing to set in such shots is the WB. It usually looks like coca cola sky (as yours) if you use auto WB. Try to decrease it in your raw converter.
I hope it helps...
Serkan
[/quote]
Thanks for this, Serkan. I'll give the channels a try!
Ian
Hi Ian,
I liked some of these B&W shots very much. Even though mostly shot gainst the sun, the DR looks ok but it can be improved. I can suggest a pair of to-dos based on my present B&W workflow:
- It's better to post process B&W in raw converter (in my case, ACR). CS4 has it's limits...
- play with various color channels (focus on the colors you give higher priority) and check how the image look like. E.g. check the noise, check DR and moreover, check how the particular shapes/parts of the image stand out with the slider up/down. You will see that the color channel sliders are very powerful in B&W)
- play with the global contrast and the clarity slides very carefully, especially if you post process portrait shots with very limited DoF. From my experiences, I can say that the clarity slider worsens the transitions in blur if increased too much.
- If the DR is still not satisfactory, open image in PS and use shadow&highlights -very carefully- not loose too much contrast. Actually, I use S&H as a last resort...
And concerning the low sun image, I find that the most challenging thing to set in such shots is the WB. It usually looks like coca cola sky (as yours) if you use auto WB. Try to decrease it in your raw converter.
I hope it helps...
Serkan
[/quote]
Thanks for this, Serkan. I'll give the channels a try!
Ian