JACK LARSON PHOTOGRAPHY
Another Simple Conversion
Posted by john4jack (Corvallis, Oregon, United States) on 19 June 2009 in Plant & Nature and Portfolio.
In color, this was the brilliant rose posted on June 4. This is another simple click of Grayscale in Lightroom. I realize these past two posts could use some more work. What I have come to believe is that if a simple conversion does not look like a photograph with potential, I probably have problems with the photograph in color. If you take the paintings of the masters and convert them to monochrome, they all still look like the masterpieces that they are. Tonality is so fundamental to photography.
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When two elephants struggle, it is the grass that suffers.
- East African Proverb
Nicholas from Shah Alam, Malaysia
Yep, B&W is unfortunately not just a simple click away. There are so many tones that it is actually more work to produce a good B&W than a good colour photo.
19 Jun 2009 5:32am
Yvonne Simons from Tilburg, Netherlands
Nice work Jack! (my roses are in color today :))
19 Jun 2009 6:02am
zOOm from Paris, France
Great mono conversation, this rose seems to be enlighted from inside.
19 Jun 2009 6:05am
Scott Schilling from San Martin, United States
This has some nice contrast between the light and dark colors - I also like the brightness in the center compared to the outer edges. You will have to keep experimenting with the black and white - you never know when you will get something that just pops!
19 Jun 2009 6:26am
Marie LC from Voiron, France
I think I will prefer flowers in colours but you have realise a good bw
19 Jun 2009 7:18am
Chris Parr from Jefferson City, United States
One of the first things I noticed when I started looking around on Am3 was that I had a lot to learn about composition and tonality. I think this works well, I particularly like the delicate shade of gray on the edge of the petals in the foreground.
19 Jun 2009 12:12pm
Barbara from Florida, United States
There is a remarkable lesson here with your simple conversions, at least for me. Your words and the comments of others have given me another perspective of B&W. It all comes together as a new element of thought when attempting to capture a fine B&W.
Thanks Jack, for giving me the insight through your wonderful photography.
19 Jun 2009 12:14pm
Tracy from La Selva Beach, United States
beautiful! I agree with Barbara, I don't often look at the gray scale of my images because I usually intend to work them in color. However, looking at them in B&W would be a good way to spot potential problems, or help choose how to work them in color. Thanks!
19 Jun 2009 12:51pm
MARIANA from waterloo, Canada
Gorgeous BW picture ! Rose with these buds is just fantastic !
19 Jun 2009 1:42pm
jeff (aka dogilicious) from Millerstown, PA, United States
Interesting point that you make. I have sometimes found that things that I don't like in color; I like in b&w and vice versa. I definitely see your point. The scale of tonality in b&w is much more discernible in a well taken shot.
19 Jun 2009 2:04pm
Mathilde Collot from Fontainebleau, France
If pearly white! The shape of the petals is so gracious! I also like this version in B / W!
He is there beside me the X3, I charge the batteries, I feel better! Good WE to you.
19 Jun 2009 2:29pm
Don from spokane, United States
This makes another fine conversion. I agree that tonality is the heart and soul of our pictures. This is a fine example of B&W.
19 Jun 2009 3:03pm
B. Thomas from Arlington, Texas, United States
Another beautiful B & W. Of the previous two, the B&W works very well, but for flowers, I think I still like the color shot more.
19 Jun 2009 3:23pm
kerfendal from Paris, France
your black and white are very colored, great great work john!!
19 Jun 2009 6:56pm
@kerfendal: Thank you, dear friend.
Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
It may be the crappy monitor I have here at work, but I like the way this looks just the way it is !!!! I still can't wait to try your little trick!!!
19 Jun 2009 8:31pm
@Susan: Many thanks, Susan.
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
I love the way the edges pop out of the rose. Although I do prefer my flowers in colour
19 Jun 2009 9:48pm
@jamesy: One of the great things about being an amateur is that we can do whatever we prefer. (I have to keep reminding myself with all of the commenting and responding that my goal is to be faithful to my personal vision. Please know that I say this not at all in response to your comment but as an attempt to stay on track; I don't always do that.)
Betty from New Jersey, United States
Thank you for that tip about B&W, which I did not realize before. I'll be trying it out! This rose is just as beautiful in B&W.
19 Jun 2009 11:06pm
@Betty: Thanks, Betty.
Toni from Eastern Washington, United States
If I'm going to convert a photo to b&w, I process it first in color until I'm happy with it, then I convert and do any final tweaks. It has made a huge difference for me. I would have liked to seen this with the buds removed. I find them a bit distracting. The rose itself is quite beautiful.
21 Jun 2009 10:23pm
@Toni: You will get your single rose tomorrow. These are all long gone.
dj.tigersprout from New York City, United States
beautiful -- these b/w photos have such a wonderful depth too them!!
21 Jun 2009 11:28pm
Ajay from Pune, India
I think I have just learnt a great of advice. Tonality really matters.
22 Jun 2009 4:49pm
Nikon D300
1/60 second
F/5.6
ISO 200
157 mm (35mm equiv.)