1/2 sec at f/16, focal length: 40mm, ISO 100, Aperture Priority - March 12, 2009, 6:02pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 17-40mm f/4L, tripod mounted
Black and White photography has made a huge comeback with the advent of digital and the power of post processing. More and more photographer's are spending more time converting their color images to black and white than they were capturing images on black and white film. My film days are probably pretty equally split between using black and white emulsions and color transparency films, and now my digital days are working out to be pretty much the same balance as far as time spent on color vs. black and white processing. The control that digital presents has made it very easy for all of us to leap into monochrome. Though that doesn't always mean that the leap will lead us to Ansel Adams quality.
I've been working on a new ebook for my boss, mentor, and friend, William Neill, titled "Meditations in Monochrome". This new body of work that Bill has put together is entirely made up of color images that have been converted to black and white in the "digital darkroom". You can view an online portfolio of some of the images here. We've been using Lightroom and Photoshop CS4 for the conversions and it's been a very interesting and exciting process. Bill has written a wonderful essay to accompany the images that sheds some light on what makes a good black and white image as well as some insight into the post processing. I'll be sure to post when the book is released, which should be very soon!
I know I've written something along these lines before, but I do plan on expanding on the process here on this blog. And I do plan on following through on the previous tutorials I've mentioned before.
Enjoy the image, and as always, comments, critiques, as well as all other manners of feedback is welcome.
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