whats your BW favorite

[MitchellB]

Tell me about your favorite B&W conversion technique/action/plugin.

[DannyRaphael]

Originally Posted by MitchellB

Tell me about your favorite B&W conversion technique/action/plugin.

This thread may be of interest to you...

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...yscale-bw.html

Of the umpteen methods, the one I use most often is the dual Hue/Saturation adjustment layer method (frequently attributed to Russell Brown) and a takeoff on that one where a Selective Color adjustment layer is utilized.

I'm looking forward to trying out the new CS3 BW adjustment layer.

I've got the Convert to BW Pro 2.0 plugin, but seldom use it anymore.

HTH...
~Danny~

[lkroll]

Definitely the Pseudogrey Perlscript. I've used other techniques to give the approximate tones, but this script actually works on 16-bit greyscale. It also gives very clean (i.e., no dithering noise) that I see in the sky of other rendering techniques. When combined with s/h and other contrast enhancements, it really is bar none the bomb IMO.

http://r0k.us/graphics/pseudoGrey.html

[Andrew B.]

My favorite is the B/W Styler plugin from Photowiz. It offers greater control and flexibiluity than anything else I have tried.

http://thepluginsite.com/products/ph...yler/index.htm

[Stroker]

I look at what I have, figure out where I want to be, and then go there. Depending on the data at hand and the data that I want to end up with, could take a variety of routes.

High sat and lots of hues? I go straight to HsY manipulation.
Low sat and low contrast? Curves.
A great deal of one hue? MinMaxY manipulation.

Look at the data for the contrast, then bring it out.

I could write a great deal about the subject.
Maybe some day I will.

[Sweetlight]

My method is probably a bit more pre-historic than the others given but I'll let it fly.
In RGB I make 3 duplicate images, then convert one to red channel, green channel, blue channel. (Image mode RGB > Grayscale > RGG. I then shift/drag two of the new images into the third so now you have all three channels on one canvas. I then tweak opacity on all three until I find my desired "exposure and dynamic range". Most of my b/w you will see have a true black and a true white ie; the Ansel Adams zone system. Digital has a broader range than film it's a bit easier to get a good sweep from the white, through the mid-tones to the black.
Did this make sense?
Where's Palms, help!!!

[0lBaldy]

Originally Posted by RobertM

=====================================================

Hi Danny,

Earlier today I saw an action available here based on Russell Browns method but I'm unable to locate it. I forget the authors name. Can you point me to it? It provided some aditional steps/options.


Thank you!!!

Robert

I'm not Danny, but I was using this today and had the location handy if it is the one you want...

Actions, brushes, swatches, styles, textures etc. Post #87

[RobertM]

Originally Posted by 0lBaldy

I'm not Danny, but I was using this today and had the location handy if it is the one you want...

Actions, brushes, swatches, styles, textures etc. Post #87

Thanks very much!! I was able to locate the action that I had seen... it is the b&w selective colour by Kent Christiansen.
I will definately check the link you've included...very much appreciated!!

Robert