021ET_edited-1
Black and white photos
Can you tell me how can i take black and white photos from my digital camera?
Tags: and, black, digital, photography, white
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Greg maklae on -
While most cameras have a b/w option, you are better off shooting the image in color, then converting it to b/w in a program such as PhotoShop Elements. There are two advantages to this, first, you also have the color image, and second you can better control the final look of the image by making fine adjustments to the red, blue and green filters.
-
Permalink Reply by Edgar Alegre on -
...and if you don't have photoshop elements, there's plenty of free softwares you can download. You can also try online photosites where you upload your picture then use their online software to manipulate your images. just do google search.
-
Permalink Reply by nathan mccreery on -
Here we go again. With all due respect I must disagree. There are reasons why it's best to start out with a black and white original if your intent is to end up with a black and white. In terms of being able to emphasize certain tonalities such as red green etc it's very simple. Do what we've always done. Use filters!!!!!!!!! If you are going to approach black and white as a serious artistic endeavor and not just to play around with your camera, then, in my judgment, you're better to start with a black and white original. While it is true that there are black and white filters in Photoshop, and the images look great on the monitor, what you'll find is that Photoshop makes these adjustments by not using pixels of certain colors so when the image is enlarged, under some circumstances, you'll have excessive grain. For instance if you apply a red filter in Photoshop it works by excluding the pixels that would render an area cyan or blue. In that instance you'll be making a photograph using only the red and yellow pixels (it is slightly more complicated than that but I don't have time to go into detail and you'll be using only 1/2 -2/3 of the pixels available. The gaps between the pixels that are being used will render as "grain" on the finished image If the photograph begins its life as a black and white you'll always be using all of the pixels with no excessive increase in grain. In my opinion shooting the original in color and then converting to black and white in computer is a lazier way to do black and white in that it requires less intellectual engagement in the field; no decision has to be made about whether you want B&W or color. Make a decision and stick with it. I strongly disagree that making the original in color allows more control. I've done black and white for many years and I can assure you I have complete control over the finished image in camera.
-
Permalink Reply by Greg maklae on
-
Nathan,
In the August 2009 issue of Outdoor Photogrpher, there is a great article on making b/w images. His first statement is to shoot in color, especially if you are shooting in raw, as you can easily convert back and forth, without degrading the image. There are several reasons for shooting first in color. Most importantlyt, we see in color, and this is how we evaluate brightness and saturation. Newer software has greatly improved conversion programs, so using color filters is a snap. Shooting with only a filter greatly limits your choices, if you need more blue, or less red, you cannot achieve this after the shot without software.
GM
-
Permalink Reply by nathan mccreery on
-
That's fine as far as it goes. All I'm saying is that if you are after the best quality there aren't shortcuts. Starting out in color and then converting to B&W is an intellectual shortcut. If one is really serious about doing black and white they can train their eye to see the way film will see. I didn't read that article but I am very serious about black and white and I have read many articles in fan magazines (outdoor Photographer is one) that were just plain wrong. Bear in mind; their purpose isn't to get good or even accurate information out but to sell magazines and camera equipment. Some of their writers are very good, many aren't. I would further venture that the writer didn't have much background in Black and White and so had little practical knowledge on which to base his statements. Most times articles of this type are based on the premise that the reason you make a black and white is because their is an image that doesn't work in color so maybe converting it to black and white can rescue it. Did you ever wonder why it is that they don't publish work by top flight black and white photographers? The reason is it doesn't sell magazines like over saturated color one do.
-
Permalink Reply by Greg maklae on
-
It never ceases to amaze me how many "photographers" think the rest of the world is wrong, and they are the only ones who does it right. It is time to get off your lofty perch and learn about the amazing world of digital photography. Regardless of how you set the camera, the images are only a collection of two numbers, 1 and 0. The camera itself has no concept of color or gray scale, just true or false, on or off. The color (gray scale) is based on software's ability to interpret. To say respected authors are wrong is very narrow minded, and solely based on your ego. Further, I have read many articles in respected journals, not fan magazines as you call them, that contained b/w images.
-
Permalink Reply by nathan mccreery on
-
I've never met you, probably won't and that's okay. So I don't care what you think of me personally or my work. I don't care! However if you want accurate information go to the one that's doing it, not the one that read an article. As to "lofty perches" I don't place myself on one at all, however I've worked very hard for many years to know what I know and to be able to do what I do and your opinion, while you are entitled to believe what you believe, can't take the place of actual knowledge based on learning and experience.
-
Permalink Reply by Lori Aull on -
What the noisy chorus is saying is there is two ways;
One you can convert the shot in your software on your computer - it's best to check out the software you use and look on that website. One common method is just simply "taking out color" or taking saturation to zero. Photoshop offers a conversion process which works best. {p.s. if you’re not a big fan of offering Adobe a grand for the software Elements has the same option.}
The other is looking at your particular digital camera manual. It’s difficult to answer that question if we don’t know your camera. Any good digital camera has the ability to take shots in monochrome {or b/w} play with those knobs, buttons and bangles and you'll figure it out. Do what looks best to you or expresses what you’re attempting to convey.
-
Permalink Reply by Keith Willette on -
Well said Lori. Whats that old saying? I may not know art but i know what I like.
-
Permalink Reply by Edgar Alegre on
-
...i don't think she's looking into producing professional b/w images so having an original color is the best choice for her so if she isn't happy with the b/w, she can always go back to her original color...:)
-
Permalink Reply by sharaff on
-
Numerous ways, check out the settings on your camera. It is camera specific.
I would suggest you doing your photos in color and convert it using Photoshop, this way it is more effective.
-
Permalink Reply by nathan mccreery on
-
I t may be true that Sarika isn't wanting to produce "professional quality". However, when someone asks that type of question my instinct, as a teacher and photographer, tells me that she is wanting to create more than just "snaps". I believe it is therefore important to give accurate information and then let her choose. If someone said they wanted to learn how to play the piano no one would tell them to just go over to a piano and start banging away. Some people can learn to play that way, by ear, but they won't be able to transpose from the key of C to D, nor will they be able to read a piece of sheet music so they're always impaired in their piano ability. They would be given very specific instructions both technically and aesthetically. Why is the art of photography any different? If someone desires to create really nice quality photographs there are certain basics that must be learned. Liking it or not, agreeing with it or not doesn't change what it is. If you learn the basics well, it will then be easy to divert from that path when the situation merits it. If you don't know the basics then you'll always come up against your lack of knowledge and not know why it doesn't work. So it is that I am pretty much a stickler for learning it right in the first place and that I really don't like to read instructions to novices that are probably wrong.
My next question is this. Of the responders to this discussion, how many really do quantities of black and white photography with the intent of creating black and white photographs, when black and white is the original intent? I don't know, don't have time to look, but I'll bet I'm the only one. Wouldn't it then make sense to pay attention to that voice?
New! - Trick Photography 2.0
Latest Activity
Badge
Free Photography Tips
We offer free daily photography tips for all experience levels. Click Here to Subscribe Now!.
© 2012 Created by PictureSocial.com.
