[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by Little Fisher

I was out in the woods w/my Canon 30D and was quickly reminded that I was only in a park in the middle of Brooklyn. I came across a fire hydrant in the middle of the woods. Oh well, it was fun to pretend I was out hiking away from the city for awhile. I just processed the raw files today.

I used to shoot in B&W all the time. I really love printing in the darkroom. Since I started shooting digital (this is the first digital camera that I own), I noticed that shooting for B&W has changed. The options are infinite in how I can manipulate the raw file. I have to admit, I'm having a bit of trouble when it comes to the B&W conversion. Here are 2 versions that I did with this image. Any tips?

As you have discovered, digital BW conversion options / methods are plentiful, perhaps too plentiful. A nice problem to have, I guess.

Although I found it difficult initially to find the intended subject because just about everything in the image is in sharp focus and there is relatively little contrast (tone-wise) between the hydrant and background, I especially liked how the hydrant was framed by the foreground trees.

Ideally (IMO) it would have been nice to have shot this at f/2.8-f/4 (assuming you have a DSLR) so the hydrant would have been in focus and the foreground and BG were a little fuzzy. If you cannot manipulate DOF in RAW converters (I don't shoot RAW, so I don't know), sometimes the illusion of a narrow DOF can be achieved in Photoshop (or equivalent) by using blurred layers and selectively applying the effect using Layer Masks.

Placement-wise I prefer a subject more off center than centered and crop accordingly when possible.

Contrast variations can be applied by various means (burn, dodge tools, layer blend modes, adjustment layers, etc.). Nice to have multiple options here, too.

BW interpretation is really subjective, so take my commentary and interpretation with a grain of salt. If nothing else, hope this gives you some ideas.

[Janet Petty]

Danny, you are really going to LOVE CS3. Black and white conversions are a snap. And since you have upgraded, you will also find the lens blur filter simulates depth of field quite well with just a wee bit of tweaking afterward. I'm sure you are going to have LOTS of fun. And BTW, depth of field cannot be simulated in RAW. You are safe there.

Janet

[DWThomp]

Here is one from today, Sunday 04/29. As soon as I saw the April competition I had this shoot in mind, but it was past the date .

Canon 20D, EF24-70 f2.8, ISO100 1/100th @ f9.

[Janet Petty]

Originally Posted by DWThomp

Here is one from today, Sunday 04/29. As soon as I saw the April competition I had this shoot in mind, but it was past the date.

It would have won hands down too. I do find that the man's missing lower jaw is just a tad distracting. But the story is there and it is a wonderful capture!!!

Here is my "processed today". I've been passing this old farmstead for years now and always thought I should take a picture as it was so well kept up and picturesque. Wellllll......I didn't. The widow who lived here died. The family doesn't want the home or the land. You can see what it looks like now. So sad.

Janet

[DWThomp]

Originally Posted by Janet Petty

It would have won hands down too. I do find that the man's missing lower jaw is just a tad distracting. But the story is there and it is a wonderful capture!!!
Janet

Thank you Janet. I agree about his lower jaw line. I wish I'd had him about 6 inches or so to the left. It was a tough shot to get, I was laying on the floor with the camera just a few inches off the floor (I'm getting too old for that kind of stuff .

Thanks again for the nice compliment and hopefully, I'll figure something out for May and before the deadline .

[Little Fisher]

Thanks for the tips Danny, and Janet too. I can't wait to check out CS3 for myself. Janet, is CS3 what you used to convert to B&W in your farmstead shot? BTW, I love shots of abandoned places.

[Janet Petty]

Originally Posted by Little Fisher

Thanks for the tips Danny, and Janet too. I can't wait to check out CS3 for myself. Janet, is CS3 what you used to convert to B&W in your farmstead shot? BTW, I love shots of abandoned places.

One word: Yes.

And thanks.

Janet

[Little Fisher]

Alright, here's another. I'll make it the last one for a while and just keep the daily stuff to a photo blog. I came across this doll while digging around a road-side fleamarket. I tried out 3 different techniques.

[palms1]

Heres one i took earlier just after a rain storm, I was trying the macro function which i dont fully understand except that you should always use a tripod and i didnt ! ! ! ! !

All that i have done is resize for posting

Palms

posted a few other photos in the photo art forum

[CJ Swartz]

Palms, those raindrops look pretty sharp for being a handheld shot. I know, getting the tripod out and getting it set-up can be a pain, but it does help a lot. I have trouble getting into the contorted positions it always seems to require to get down to where my macro subject is, so I appreciate your desire and effort as well as your image.

Pretty and pink!

[Janet Petty]

Originally Posted by palms1

Heres one i took earlier just after a rain storm, I was trying the macro function which i dont fully understand except that you should always use a tripod and i didnt ! ! ! ! !

I have a love/hate relationship with tripods...mostly the hate part. We just don't have a compatible relationship. Therefore, I can commiserate when you don't use a tripod. Just learn to hold your breath, keep your hands and arms close to your body...AND hope you get a sharp shot. I can honestly say that of all the pictures I've posted here, I have only used a tripod on one. That one was a 4 second exposure. No one can hold still for that long.

The most important thing to remember is to have fun.

Janet

[fpellerin]

Here's one I shot today during my lunchtime walk in the garden.

[beatles2]

A good photo will make you stop and look, that photo did just that. Great job
Paul

[Janet Petty]

Originally Posted by fpellerin

Here's one I shot today during my lunchtime walk in the garden.

Absolutely lovely shot.

Janet

[fpellerin]

Another from my Friday walk. Processed it today (only required a quick Curves adjustment). I've been told it's called a Columbine.