Struggling with B+W conversion...

[codex0]

I've been struggling with B+W conversions from my color digital pictures for a couple of weeks. I've read martin's tutorials (thanks martin), read many other posts, and haven't been able to get anything that I've liked until tonight, when I tried a different technique I got from a traditional photography book. Is this something to be proud of, or do I still have quite a way to go?

Thanks.

http://www.codex0.info/large/028b.jpg

[Duder]

it looks horribly overexposed to me, particularly in the guys jacket, and there ain't much tonal range. unless that's the look you were after.

[codex0]

It was. I really like high contrast b+w, I'm afraid :rolleyes: .

[codex0]

Here's the lower contrast version.
http://www.codex0.info/large/028.jpg

[Guitartists]

I liked the high contrast image too ;) But, this one does look more natural :D