This is good stuff, got some more secrets in that bag that you want to share
with us?
You realize that some peops will put this on a notecard and take it to the
fields to test your theories with their AU Schnozzed lenses...
Boris
Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2005 11:21:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: AG Schnozz <agschnozz@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [OM] Digital B&W vs Film B&W
I've been doing quite a bit of experimentation with conversion
of color images to B&W. Simple you say? Sure, but with a
twist.
A huge advantage of conversion to B&W in post-production is the
ability to experiment with different "filters" to achieve
different effects. These are just as good as using filters on
the lens when shooting actual B&W film.
Really?
Uh, no.
You can achieve similar effects, but there are notable
differences. Film has response curves which are different than
digital sensors or color film. The way film renders blues,
greens and reds is in different ratios than the human eye. These
differences are critical as the film is able to then reproduce
what we "think we saw" instead of pure reality. Skintones are
better and the tonal sweep is more pleasing. Most of all, film
has a shoulder and toe that renders details in ways that give
you a long+short tonal range, whereas digital/color is either
tonally long or short.
I have seen some outstanding digital B&W photography. But in
nearly every case there is a specific look to either digital or
converted color images that is slightly disturbing. I haven't
quite put my finger on it, yet. But in a nutshell there is a
dynamic present in true B&W that just isn't there in any other
means. People have successfully done it once in a while, but it
doesn't come naturally.
I have discovered a nifty little trick, though, which may help
those of you who wish to convert digital color to B&W. Adjust
the WB to 6000 (or higher) for daylight pictures. The lean
towards the red end of the spectrum mimicks the skewed response
curve of most B&W films. Disable Auto WB select a daylight
setting of cloudy or shade. Even indoors under artifical light.
BTW, one camera that does very respectable B&W in-camera is the
Minolta A1. I'm getting very good results with it and the
look/feel is close to HP5+.
I'm not about to give up the OMs quite yet. The Minolta does
better B&W than the E-1 (converted files), but good old Ilford
film (regardless of type) trumps them all.
Especially when using filters.
AG
---------------------------------
Discover Yahoo!
Use Yahoo! to plan a weekend, have fun online & more. Check it out!
==============================================
List usage info: http://www.zuikoholic.com
List nannies: olympusadmin@xxxxxxxxxx
==============================================
|