Cork Girl C&C

eoglyn

Cork_girl wrote: »

C&C Welcome

My only C&C is to say that i really, really love this, and i'd love to see a bigger version of it. Its not often a landscape image grabs me, but this got me.

This is one of my most favourite parts of the world and i have a trip there coming up - I'm inspired now to actually get out with all the photo taking paraphernalia that i'll pack.

Looking at your pix.ie, i also like the B&W shots from the same area - care to share any wisdom re you mono conversions, what software are you using??

DaireQuinlan

I think it would be much improved without the fadey reverse vignette around the edges.

Tiriel

Hey eoglyn,

Thanks for the comment, I've been experimenting a little lately just trying out texture layers and blending etc. I'm not entirely sure I like it myself to be honest, it's still a work in progress and lots to learn.

I agree with DaireQuinlan on the white vignette as I normally really don't like them. The shot without it was ok, nothing super or anything and hence I tried messing about with it.

I'll post that version later - don't have it with me.

As for processing and mono conversions - my general process would be as follows (I use Photoshop CS4):

New Adjustment Layer - Black & White: I might have 2 or more of these, or in some cases just one. I first look at each of the colour channels, at how each one looks but often end up going for green or yellow for some reason as the first layer. Sometimes a green will suit the sky, whilst a yellow brings out the best detail in the foreground - so I will use a mask to apply the B&W layers to specific parts of the shot.

New Adjustment Layer - Levels: Again, I look into each channel RGB and adjust any major gaps dragging the slider left/right as needed or as looks right.

Adjustment Layer - Curves: I often try out cross process/different blend modes of a really low opacity - less than 10% to see how it impacts on the light/tone of the shot. In the case of this shot, it made a dramatic difference. On others, it makes none. Each shot is different

Blank Layers: I often use the gradient with a light colour or dark colour sampled from the photo itself and draw little circles of light/shade across some parts of the image to lighten or add contrast. (1 light layer and 1 dark layer). I set blend mode to overlay/softlight or normal and change opacity to suit.

It's all about the light and the detail - I don't do dodging or burning with the tools - just through the paint brush or the gradient like I described above. The background image remains unaltered and all adjustments are in layers stacked above. Often I will go back and turn off/on adjustment layers, checking how each one affects the image quality - whether it is causing any posterisation or weirdness.

Hope that helps! I also add sharpening but only to selected parts of the image, sometimes noise reduction layer again to selected sections - all using masks.

If anyone has critique of that process and has any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

almorris

Have you tried using Duotones as a starting point? Just a thought.

eoglyn

Thanks Cork Girl for the comprehensive response, i really need to get on with developing my photoshop skills, starting to see the limitations of lightroom for individual images like this that you want more control over.

Tiriel

almorris wrote: »

Have you tried using Duotones as a starting point? Just a thought.

I don't even know what that is

Tiriel

eoglyn wrote: »

Thanks Cork Girl for the comprehensive response, i really need to get on with developing my photoshop skills, starting to see the limitations of lightroom for individual images like this that you want more control over.

For me it's trial and error, trying out different things with different shots. What works for one won't work for another and not every shot is a good B&W candidate. If my PC wasn't a dinosaur I'd enjoy playing about in it a lot more, but at the moment it takes forever to get anything done!

almorris

Cork_girl wrote: »

I don't even know what that is

Not sure if its in cs4 or not. Duotones is under Image, mode, it will be grayed out, so you need to convert to greyscale, then go back and it should be available. Scroll through and try some of the presets. There's duotones. tritones and quadtones to choose from.
I think it gives you a far better staring point than just converting to B an W.