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Still playing with mono conversions. Channel mixers used in PSE7 and I felt that I had more control over the result this time. By reducing blue and increasing red I was able to achieve a better tonal range and contrast. At least that's what I thought anyway!
This is one of my younger brother taken during a family meal at a local pub. Standing at 6'4" he is not such a little bro though.
Comments and mods welcome as always.
Phil
| Brand: | OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. |
| Camera: | Olympus E-510  Check out Olympus Image Space! |
| Lens: | 40.0-150.0 mm f/4.0-5.6 |
| Recording media: | RAW (digital) |
| Date Taken: | 18 Dec 2010 - 2:56 PM |
| Focal Length: | 106mm |
| Lens Max Aperture: | f/4.0 |
| Aperture: | f/5.6 |
| Shutter Speed: | 1/180sec |
| Exposure Comp: | 0.0 |
| ISO: | 100 |
| Exposure Mode: | Aperture-priority AE |
| Metering Mode: | Multi-segment |
| Flash: | Auto, Fired |
| Title: | Little Bro |
| Username: | 
Philo |
| Uploaded: | 16 Feb 2011 - 8:39 AM |
| Tags: | Black & white, Digitally manipulated, Portraits / people |
| VS Mode Rating |
101 (100% won) These stats show the percentage of wins and the rating score that your photo has achieved. You can go to the VS Mode by clicking on this icon. Signup to e2Signup to e2 to see which photo this has won or lost against in the vs mode |
| Votes: | Voting Disabled |
 | Critique Wanted |
| Modifications Welcome (Upload a Modification) |
Comments
In terms of the black and white conversion I think you have done a reasonably good job and there appears to be a good range of tones.
It looks like you have used a bit of flash here and unfortunately that has thrown a rather distracting shadow behind your brother. You could possibly clone this out, but at the time of taking, if possible, try to bounce the flash off the ceiling (for example) rather than firing it directly. This will minimise the shadows behind the subject, but can create a shadow under the nose and chin - which is where a reflector comes in handy. Of course for a casual visit to the pub you are unlikely to be packing all the gear and it can rather ruin the spontaneity
Hi John, "good range of tones" is what I wanted to hear so that's good. Not much I could do about the shadow I'm afraid as the flash doesn't rotate. No way would he actually pose for a shot. I got this by pretending to get a shot of my kids and then turning the camera on him when he wasn't looking. This is probably why I like it as he is so hard to get but I guess that won't come across to the casual observer.
Anyway this was all about the mono conversion so I am quite happy.
Thanks for taking the time.
Phil
Hi Phil,
You have obviously captured for your self a unique shot of your brother, unaware and casual, nice one to have.
I usually convert to B&W by channel mixer> click monochrome box> and just use the red channel to convert> (Don’t despair or look for perfection yet ) just click ok and go back to Image Adjustments > and play around with Levels> Curves> and Brightness/Contrast, this normally gives me the best results.
A great portrait in my opinion, candid and full of meaning to you which is really all that matters. The side profile works well, sometimes better so than face on as it adds more depth. I have to agree about the bg shadow, it is somewhat distracting. One of those things with the limited flash movement. If it were a set up shot one could be more critical of this. As it is spur of moment as it were I cannot complain too much. You could possibly minimise this using a higher f stop to give a deeper depth of field. You could also use the blur tool in your software to haze out the bg somewhat and keep your brother as the main subject.
The mono works well. I think candid portraits always do, and as said the range of tones Is good!!
One to be proud of x x x
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