A good reference book on digital B&W, including converting color into B&W,
is Michael Freeman's book titled:
"Mastering Black and White Digital Photography"
I'm slowly working my way through the French translation of the book (funny
how the french words for CS2 functions are so totally unfamiliar when you've
always used the english version...). Since all of my B&W work had always
been in the darkroom, this is all new to me.
Best,
Guy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peeter Vissak" <pv@xxxxxx>
To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students"
<photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 1:34 AM
Subject: Re: long time lurkin' review
Guy,
I usually play much more with some favourite shots, but these days the
card is packed up with quite colourful mornings, daytimes and evenings and
it's so comfortable to be lazy . . . :)
And of course you (or me!) need some mood to play.
At least there is much room for improvements, that comforts me a bit.
Peeter
BTW - I do lots of trials to convert my stuff into B&W and sometimes even
hang this stuff up on exhibitions.
P
At 01:03 12.02.2007, you wrote:
But perhaps the picture - all these darks, fadings and colds - simply
reflects my present state of mind.
Peeter,
presently struggling hard for survival and existance
Never give in, Peeter.
That struggle is one day at a time. Some days, the morning light will
break up the darkness. Other days, the darkness will engulf everything.
I keep my camera at hand to pick up the moments of light when they come
around and to put the viewfinder as a separation between me and the world
when the darkness is trying to take a hold of my life.
Your picture is not a lightweight...! But you could'nt have been more
visually expressive.
Sky and water, ice and darkness. The horizon line cuts the image at the
center. The day rises in a disturbing reddish tone and gets immediately
engulfed by the darkness of the tree. It is frigid weather, despite the
really hot tones of the sky. But... there is a ray of hope arising from
the white light shinning on the ice.
Now try this. Flip the image horizontally: the day breaks out from the
darkness of the tree. Desaturate into a B&W picture; do a Curve
adjustment to establish proper contrast and brightness. Bingo! You have
a very nice winter scene shining around.
Never, ever give in, Peeter!
Best,
Guy
