First Portrait Experiment

[Paul Hutchings]

Hi All,

I'm now about to venture into the world of portrait photography and looked at various ways of converting a colour image to black & white. Here are some first attempts and I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks.

Original.
http://www.pghphotography.co.uk/imgs/gallery/5567/5567_4634270944802b89caa3d5.jpg
1.
http://www.pghphotography.co.uk/imgs/gallery/5567/5567_139207792748029cd5994da.jpg
2.
http://www.pghphotography.co.uk/imgs/gallery/5567/5567_7242951084802b85681647.jpg
3.
http://www.pghphotography.co.uk/imgs/gallery/5567/5567_23892424802b87be2fdd.jpg
4.
http://www.pghphotography.co.uk/imgs/gallery/5567/5567_1556591434802b881ab567.jpg
5.
http://www.pghphotography.co.uk/imgs/gallery/5567/5567_5398529374802b88c48074.jpg

[ldwallis]

imo i prefer this. (hope you dont mind me editing your image)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/leewallis/adjusted.jpg

[EOS_JD]

Last one is way overdone. The cheek looks white and skin too washed out and if you check the histogram the red channel is way over exposed. Looking at them all I'm not sure any work well. THere's not enough contrast.
Fist looks the best from these. If you have Ps CS3 look at the B&W adjustment layer and play around.

[dellipher]

You need a LOT more contrast in the BW images....

[Paul Hutchings]

This feedback is excellent and it's just what I need. Idwallis I love the change and certainly don't mind my images being edited. Thanks again I will have another go and post some more.

[EOS_JD]

At first I thought the edit looked good but checking histogram showed it slightly over exposed on the cheek area. Remember to keep detail in the important areas.

[SiNoO]

nice