Pier at Sunrise in Mono

[Winnie]

I took the opportunity of a bright morning to get up early, very early! I decided to give Worthing a go as I had not been there before and these are some of the shots converted to B&W. I got there at 5.30am, just before the sunrise broke the horizon.


Nikon D70 1/25s f/11.0 at 18.0mm


Nikon D70 1/40s f/11.0 at 18.0mm


Nikon D70 1/50s f/11.0 at 18.0mm


Nikon D70 1/80s f/11.0 at 18.0mm

Critique as much as you like please.

Thanks

Alex

[ethos97503]

Very nicely done! Love the peaceful feeling to these.

[photosbymorgan2]

Very Nice photos. Please tell everyone how you convert your photos to black and white. I have plug ins that I use but it is always interesting to fin out how others convert their photos.

[Winnie]

Thanks for the comments folks.

I converted these using the Channel Mixer in PS CS2. I need to work on my PS skills as they are basic at the moment. Fortunately I had a B&W pullout from a magazine to guide me.

Cheers

Alex

[Paul Shields]

They all look very pleasing to the eye. I'm trying to get my b&w conversions to have this much contrast, but not managed one yet.

Nbr 4 is my favourite, closely followed by nbr 2. I particularly like the shadows on the wall of the building in nbr 2. It does seem to lean a bit to the left, but maybe that's just the slant of the drainpipe

[photosbymorgan2]

Originally Posted by Winnie

Thanks for the comments folks.

I converted these using the Channel Mixer in PS CS2. I need to work on my PS skills as they are basic at the moment. Fortunately I had a B&W pullout from a magazine to guide me.

Cheers

Alex

Please post the steps for those who are having a bit of trouble converting.

[Alice Morrison]

Odd observation: I'd like to see people and *film grain* or *digital grain* in these, esp. #1.

[Winnie]

Originally Posted by photosbymorgan2

Please post the steps for those who are having a bit of trouble converting.

OK here goes.

I select Layer,
New Adjustment Layer then
Channel Mixer,
click OK.

Click the Monochrome button at the bottom
Then play around with each channel but always keep the total of all 3 channels at 100%
A good starting point is 33/34/33 then tweak to your hearts content.

Hope that helps.

Cheers

Alex

[Winnie]

Originally Posted by Alice Morrison

Odd observation: I'd like to see people and *film grain* or *digital grain* in these, esp. #1.

Not Odd at all Alice.

It's difficult to get people up that early to model for me Plus I find then make the composition too busy. Maybe one person sweeping up or something would be good.

I did think about adding some grain, I will have a play in PS and see what it looks like.

Cheers

Alex

[Winnie]

Originally Posted by Alice Morrison

Odd observation: I'd like to see people and *film grain* or *digital grain* in these, esp. #1.

Hows this Alice?

I added some mono grain and toned in a little sepia too.



Does it work?

[Alice Morrison]

I like it better. I'd be interested in others' opinions. I'm always surprised when photographers want to get away from grain entirely. I pump the ISO up with abandon and welcome the grain.

[photosbymorgan2]

Originally Posted by Winnie

Hows this Alice?

I added some mono grain and toned in a little sepia too.



Does it work?

Though I like grain in some photos, I think this photo looked better without the grain. And the photo with the grain seems to have too much grain in my opinion and therefore it takes away some detail from the photo.

[Paul Shields]

I agree with Alice that there's far too much worry about reducing grain - it can really add to the mood, particularly in b&w portraitts. I feel in this image it's a little too much - it works well with the dark areas, but seems a little overpowering in the sky.

[Winnie]

That's cool. I wasn't sure what looked right so just plumped for a figure and posted her. It's not somethign I would do very often I must admit.

Alex