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Today I thought I would try something totally out of my comfort zone in an area that I know very little about which is BLACK & WHITE or MONO if preferred.
What I am after here is any tips, advice and/or pointers on converting colour pics to mono in Photoshop.
This is a one I took in St. Marks Square, Venice during a very short February visit, the weather was absolutely dreadful with grey, featureless skies, loads of drizzle and dreadful lighting which I found hard to cope with photographically speaking. Not the right time to visit Venice for the very first time on what was meant to be a romantic Anniversary short break combined with the fantastic photo opportunities that Venice is renowned for.
The sun came out on the day we were due to fly back home so I did get a few decent shots which I will upload later, but looking at the 'grey day' shots I think they would all be good candidates for converting to mono.
For this one, I played safe and used a photoshop 'action' to convert the image to mono to start with and then used the traditional dodge and burn technique i.e dodging the highlights and burning the shadows until I thought it looked right, I also tweaked the contrast by applying a slight S shape in 'Curves' then finished with a small amount of 'unsharp mask'. I have included the colour version to give a comparison. (NOTE - I have also added version 2 which is a mod by Albert 'FENTIGER' and have included his comments in the description box).
I think I have made a reasonable job of this but would value your opinion, critiques and comments - and please be as honest as you like because I welcome the feedback. Feel free to do a mod if you would like to and view large if you can spare the extra time.
Thanks for all your clicks and comments on my daffodil, as usual I am really grateful for your input and support on my images.
Fran
| Title: | Venice |
| Username: | 
franfoto |
| Uploaded: | 12 Mar 2008 - 1:55 PM |
| Camera: | Canon EOS 350D |
| Lens: | Tamron 18-200  Check out Totally Tamron! |
| Recording media: | RAW (digital) |
| Tags: | Architecture, Black & white, Franfoto, Italy, Landscape / travel, Travel, Venice |
| Votes: | Voting Disabled |
 | Critique Wanted |
| Modifications Welcome (Upload a Modification) |
 | Variant - Before and After |
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Comments
Fran I agree with John on this... I would haved love to haved voted as well... I personally think you did an excellent job with the image...
I think you've done a good job on a difficult image. The sky, of course, is the awkward bit here because it is so flat. I'm sure there are ways of tweaking it, but at what point does postprocessing become photoshopping?
Hi Fran I have to say your colour version is very good and I prefer it in colour. If anything I would say that the mono conversion is a little flat. I have done a mod by doing all the levels and curves etc adjustments on the original and then converting to mono using Channel Mixer with 60% red 30% green and 10% blue.
Albert
Quote: Hi Fran I have to say your colour version is very good and I prefer it in colour. If anything I would say that the mono conversion is a little flat. I have done a mod by doing all the levels and curves etc adjustments on the original and then converting to mono using Channel Mixer with 60% red 30% green and 10% blue.
This is such useful information for me Albert and the mod you have done is excellent, I can see a massive difference, this is exactly what I am after here. Thanks a million.
Fran
Albert
I, too, prefer the colour version and like what CB has achieved in the mod. There is some wonderful detail in the amazing architecture, a real treat. Have always wanted to go to Venice, nearly got there last year......we shall see.
Great images. I must say #1 is my favourite. I think it lends itself very well to a mono conversion. Great composition.
Andy
Looks very exotic, anywhere different is.
They all look similar to me, but clearest in colour to start.
What I would like to do is take out the man with the yellow cagoule, maybe I could try!
Brian.
I like the 1st and 3rd pic here - love Venice but the day we went I was so ill and couldnt leave the loo, very disappointing trip for me and I didnt realise I was poorly until half way there (it was a pre arranged booking to) I could hardly leave, once there I had to stay the course. Love you pics here - you did well with the conditions you describe
Think you did a great job on this shot but don't feel qualified to offer any constructive advice. Like the mod by Carabosse.
Geoff.
2 for me
got more weight, more presence, more depth and balls than the others
Lovely capture Fran, out of my comfort zone on this, but as soon as I saw it it grabbed me. I have adjusted the odd portrait and know how difficult it can be to get it right.
You'll have to go back out there shoot in Mono with a red filter on.
What a great excuse to revisit
Richard
Hi Fran. Shame you didn't have good weather, but it's a beautiful place anyway isn't it! I went in early Feb straight after the Carnival and it was gorgeous weather.
I love your subtle colour shot and the space it suggests and also am interested to see the other mods. I've had a go firstly in colour using Elements to enhance the spatial feeling using layers to separate fg and bg using smart blur and unsharp mask. I have then converted the colour version to BW by simply removing the colour.
Quote: TelStar
I've had a go firstly in colour using Elements to enhance the spatial feeling using layers to separate fg and bg using smart blur and unsharp mask. I have then converted the colour version to BW by simply removing the colour.
Many thanks for your mod and the info of how you got there, I will be acting on all this info before uploading my next Venice shot.
Regard
Fran (sorry I don't have your name TelStar)
Great architectural capture.. lots in there
Dont like the security fence Left side
like both your versions .. Good stuff
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