Inch Strand B&W

[Valentia]

November 26, 2006 at 12:04 am

Lovely shot Neil. A very different view of the beach than the norm. Just thinking that it is also a good portrayal of bungalow blight.

[neilmcshane]

November 27, 2006 at 4:43 pm

I will change the name. Thank’s

[nolonger]

November 30, 2006 at 12:02 pm

This is one of those shots that you just think “Oooooh” when you see it. Very nice.

[John Dunne]

November 30, 2006 at 5:07 pm

Hiya Neil. I saw your panel at the distinction judging, it was amazing. I heard one of the judges telling the others it was a digital panel and they were all stunned. Id love to hear some tips from you on your b&W conversion techniques. It was probably the most memorable panel of the day.

[neilmcshane]

November 30, 2006 at 10:31 pm

Thanks for the comments. My head is getting bigger and bigger.

[neilmcshane]

November 30, 2006 at 11:06 pm

Hi John

The B&W conversion process I use is as follows:-
It starts of when I am taking the image. You have to keep control of the highlights. About 75% of your image detail is captured in the right side of the histogram. So keep the levels to the right but do not blow them out. Let the shadow fall were they do as you will be adjusting them later.
Once the Raw file is transferd to the computer the fun starts.
I use a program called Bibble Pro from Bibble Labs. The reason is when you buy this software the reg code can be used on all the OS versions.
I use Mac’s and Linux with the odd time Windows. The image is converted to B&W in this software with a plug-in and saved as 16bit Tiffs.
The file is imported into Photoshop and then the magic starts. I just press one button and bingo the end result.
No, I wish this was ture. By using layers and masks to dodge and burn at a local level the picture is slowly built up. You have to have some sort of monitor calibration at this stage so you can see the tones and contrast correctly. Then the printing starts. I use a Epson R2400 and PermaJet FIbre Base Gloss paper. The printer driver has been setup to print my way. I dont let photoshop control the driver as all the text books I have read say you do. Again I want to have control over the printing stage also. We see in colour but I see the final image in B&W from the printer when I am photographing the landscape.

Hope this hepls you. Sorry if i did not explain it to well in words.

Regards Neil