The Ansel Adams look

[argie]

Sometime back I found a Paint Shop Pro script that would convert a regular color photo into a B&W photo with the Adams "look". The script produced remarkably good results but, sadly, I lost it.

Has anyone heard of such a script... or a technique to achieve it ?

[djslyda]

in my opinion getting the ansel adams "look" has nothing to do with post processing but is entirely based on composition and using light within a scene to create contrast, if you actually look at his photos it's not just because they are black and white that are special, it is the composition and contrast, imho!

[0lBaldy]

George, welcome to RetouchPRO ..
you might try looking here:
http://www.forum4designers.com/archi...-8-473033.html

with an explanation here:
http://www.devarticles.com/c/a/Web-G...Photographs/6/

[djslyda]

anyone can turn a photo black and white, but 99% of them won't look like an ansel adams.

[argie]

Originally Posted by djslyda

in my opinion getting the ansel adams "look" has nothing to do with post processing but is entirely based on composition and using light within a scene to create contrast, if you actually look at his photos it's not just because they are black and white that are special, it is the composition and contrast, imho!

I agree totally with you... For us mere mortals, unable or unwilling to spend weeks in the wilderness waiting for the right moon phase and carrying a heavy 8x10 field camera, post processing can give us the illusion of being a great photographer... it's just entertainment...

[CaptainHook]

Originally Posted by djslyda

in my opinion getting the ansel adams "look" has nothing to do with post processing

Watch this interview with his son. Post work was definitely a part of his work/look.

http://www.fastcompany.tv/video/michael-adams-yosemite

[djslyda]

Originally Posted by CaptainHook

Watch this interview with his son. Post work was definitely a part of his work/look.

http://www.fastcompany.tv/video/michael-adams-yosemite

i agree completely but if ansel applied 'his' post work to someone elses landscape of yosemite i highly doubt it would look the same as an "ansel adams", don't get me wrong, his post work was very important, without his post work his photos wouldn't have been as great but the most important thing thing is getting things right 'in camera' so to speak, "you can't polish a turd" lol

[djslyda]

Originally Posted by CaptainHook

Watch this interview with his son. Post work was definitely a part of his work/look.

http://www.fastcompany.tv/video/michael-adams-yosemite

great video by the way, although i think he was fortunate to live near to such a beautiful landscape, many thanks for the link!

[grannysdc]

Originally Posted by djslyda

"you can't polish a turd" lol

I guess you have never sold Quail dropping jewelry or buffalo chips both are highly polished.

I am curious as to how all this helps the OP in his quest?

[lencook]

Originally Posted by djslyda

his post work was very important, without his post work his photos wouldn't have been as great but the most important thing thing is getting things right 'in camera' so to speak...

There is no "post" work in the Ansel Adams approach. The process from exposure to dried print is a seamless realization of vision. Each part of the process is informed by every other part of the process. The entire process is laid out in the mind at the moment of exposure in what Adams called "previsualization."

Len Cook

[smak]

OK, that clears that up!

[des151]

No dodge or burn while the print is made?????????????

Ray

[Markzebra]

Theres a massive amount of what is being called "post" - if its defined as what happens after the shutter has been released. Contrast is hugely manipulated away from capture. Thats the skill, always has been.

I've heard some retouchers recently use the word visualisation almost as a dirty word - "I don't do visualisation" - well frankly of you don't, then you are a technician only.

[hawkeye60]

I saw a film years ago about him where he explained some of the darkroom techniques he used for the print. It included quite a lot of dodging and burning, to get the look he was seeking.