Filters for B and W

N

nikonian bob

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66
Name
robert
Edit My Images
Yes
In terms of digital is there a lens filter that enhances a shot off the camera prior to any editing ? Im mainly looking for a high contrast, accenting both the black and white. Tried nd's of varying types but too dark overall. Thanks.
 
Polarising filter (dependant on direction of shooting relative to position of sun) can darken blue sky, and by that bring out the contrast to clouds. Other than that, the traditional approach that you'd use of employing a yellow/orange/red filter will work, but will also compromise what you could get out of the shot if taken in RAW, and working it up in CS4. All things considered, I just shoot in RAW+jpeg, with the BnW scene preset. This gives me a BnW preview, that I can get an idea of the eventual shot, and a full colour RAW file that I can tweak to my hearts content back at home.

Or - I load the EOS-3 with HP5+ and go shoot proper black and white :lol:
 
nikonian bob said:
In terms of digital is there a lens filter that enhances a shot off the camera prior to any editing ? Im mainly looking for a high contrast, accenting both the black and white. Tried nd's of varying types but too dark overall. Thanks.
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With Canon (Nikon must be similar) there are lots of monochrome options in Picture Styles. Increasing the Contrast slider seems like the one you want, but you can also add coloured filter effects, red/orange etc, which work like coloured filters on the lens.

Or you can still fit filters - coloured, polarising etc - just as you would with film. The only one that won't make any difference to contrast is an ND!
 
Rob, I'd stick with the poly filter if appropriate as suggested by the big yin and/or use the channel mixer and or levels in Elements or photoshop to tweak the image. I agree that putting coloured filters on the lens is not the best option.

ND's are just sunglasses effectively and have specific uses, they won't change contrast etc. if you've not yet got into elements I think it's the way forward for you. Full photoshop is not needed.

John www.phototuition.net
 
I think I'm right in saying that a red filter adds the kind of detail you're after. Quite dramatic in B&W. Blue sky gets very dark, white clouds stand out starkly, greens and shadow areas get darkened. Water comes out black too
 
Many thanks to you all, Photo tuition, I have lightroom and CS3, is Elements a separate programme I can install, "Adobe " ?
 
Bob, If you're experienced with LR and CS3 then Adobe Photoshop elements is irrelevent. But if not, Elements is a great way to get up and running with all aspects of post processing, much more user friendly than the pro stuff,

John www.phototuition.net
 
Thanks John, Yes Im the kingpin of those programmes ,Like Edward scissorhands, I just can never remember how I did it when I do finally get one right. John in LR is there a basic always "try this first" when going to grayscale.? Im trying to get the image to resemble b@w film.
 
Hi Bob, sorry been away. I've only just got started on Lightroom myself so I'm not the one to ask but if you hit Develop and then Grayscale ther's lot's of things to twiddle!

Silver efex pro is the software to go for I think, it's a plugin for cs4 I think, I've seen a demo over someone's shoulder and it looks extremely impressive.

John www.phototuition.net
 
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