Dino L. Rovera |
|
Black and White and Camera RAW
Hello BP Community. I shoot with a Canon 50D. I have my C1 function dial programed for Black and White (Monochrome). I shoot in RAW. After taking several images in Black and White, I downloaded them and began to process/view them via CS5....All my images were in color, did I do something obviously wrong, or am I not thinking this problem through? Why were they in color and not B&W? However they were in B&W when I viewed them on my camera LCD. Please advise. Thank you..Dino
January 15, 2012
|
|
|
Lynn R. Powers |
|
Everything is working as it is supposed to. If you shot in RAW+JPEG the image the JPEG image would be in B&W. I asked George Lepp, Outdor Photobrapher Magazine monthly contributor and outstanding professional photographer and processor, if shooting in camera B&W or converting it to B&W with the computer was better and his answer was, "Always convert to B&W in the computer." So go ahead and get the best image you can in color from the RAW image, then convert it to B&W. Before the conversion. Make sure that you have details in the darker shadows, just a little because you do not them to come out in a midtone grey. You can do additional improvements once the convesion is made. Something you should be aware of is that color depends on contast of colors
whereas B&W gets its contrast from the varying amounts of light, i.e. lightness and darkness. When everything is the same shade of grey you will have a very boring photo. I have seen many of them on this and other forums. Get a book on B&W to learn how to see these things. Just because a photo is in B&W doesn't make it good. You still must use rules of composition and most importantely have an interesting photo. For beautiful smooth photos use low ISO and a tripod if necessary. For high contrast and/or grainy photos use a high ISO when outside. Inside you can adjust with the lights. When making B&W photos make sure that the brightness on your screen is correct. I use the scale provided by dpreview. Toward the bottom of their reviews is a scale that goes from A-Z.
When you can see a difference in each one you have the screen set properly for both color and B&W. Good Luck.
January 15, 2012
|
|
|
Dino L. Rovera |
|
Hi Lynn,
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond so quickly to my posted question. I wish I was as prompt with this note of thanks. The informaation you provided is very appreciated and useful. I am glad to read that it was not I, nor my camera that was at malfunctioning.
January 25, 2012
|
|
|
|
Log in to respond or ask your own question.
|
