Idea!

[Vic Shaw]

I struggled for ages to come up with a title for this. I think I would post more (oh no I hear you cry) if I could think of titles quicker. Taken at Greenwich Seaman's Hospital this is on the Chapel side looking towards Queen Annes house and the Greenwich Observatory ( not that you can see either)

Vic

 

[Pete Askew]

Nice title!! Again I' probably bring the contrast up a touch but then I always tend to print quite hard by default.

 

[Darren Turner]

that's brilliant vic, i love the the BW and all the lines of light & shadows on the floor. The contrast seems fine to me.

 

[Vic Shaw]

I thought it was rather contrasty, however there is room for some more (no one likes a smart arse you know) funny though you bring the contrast up to a point and it looks like a line drawing, as soon as the detail goes from the walls

 

[Pete Askew]

I tend to adjust contrast via curves. What method do you use?

 

[Vic Shaw]

For this exercise I used the contrast slider. I use a touch of levels 1st, just a hint and then use curves for the most part

 

[Paul Lange]

Do you also use the Channel Mixer?

 

[Pete Askew]

Do you also use the Channel Mixer?

Sometimes for mono conversion but these days I tend to use Silver FX from Nik Software as the simulations it gives are so good and the control points are a bit like working in a darkroom.

 

[Vic Shaw]

I've never really used the channel Mixer I've never really understood it. Maybe some one could explain how or why it should be used. For a B&W conversion I'll convert to B&W and the used the sliders to adjust the area I wish to lighten or Darken. I never just desaturate or just leave the B&W conversion as is.

 

[Pete Askew]

Hi Vic,

The channel mixer just gives you control of the spectral response of the 'film' you are simulating. Sort of like adding coloured filters to B&W film as well as affected its response to light. It can have quite a dramitic impact on the tonal balance. Try the channel mixer set to mono when you next do a B&W conversion and then play with the sliders to give the effect you are wanting. I then use a curves adjustment to give the contrast I am looking for.

 

[Alastair Cummins]

I love the lead in and the B&W suits it perfectly with the difference of bright light and shadow