Coastal Mud Flats (Color to B/W Conversion)

[MegaTrixel]

Now that I've read some forum discussions about converting color images to black and white, I've learned there is more to it than just hitting the desaturate button. This was once a color image, but it was so monochromatic that I thought it would look better as a black and white. It's one of my first attempts at color to b/w conversion. Any comments (pro or con) would be appreciated.


http://www.pbase.com/image/40789349.jpg

[Reigh Higgins]

I like it James, if you were to crop some off the bottom it would make a great pano. Keep up the good work. If you don't mind I will process and repost. Reigh

[Reigh Higgins]

Hope you don't mind, I really like the photo and the B&W conversion.

[Reigh Higgins]

The result.

[MegaTrixel]

Thanks Reigh, I like the result you came up with! When I originally took the shot, I wanted to include the ripples and channels in the mud. But I think the pano you created does help the shot. For a shot emphasizing the mud, I may have to return to this location and try different angles, and/or perhaps get down and dirty (and closer) to it.

Another composition issue. The background mountain on the left is cut-off. I usually don't like that. But I did it so I could include the trees on the rocks.

I like the location. But I think I should go back and work it some more.

[cactusclay]

I like it, the forground ripples provide the entrance. :D

[Reigh Higgins]

James, I reworked it to include some of the ripples and the channel leading into the picture which brings your eye to focus on the background. I think I like it better than my first version. Also used a white matte . Regards Reigh

[MegaTrixel]

Very nice Reigh! I think I like this version the best too.

I'm going to have to spend some time learning a few of your framing techniques!

[Olegis]

No, no, no - don't crop away that excellent piece of texture in the lower part of the picture ! I like the original image - it's wonderful ! I like the texture in the lower part so much, that I even would crop out the upper part with the sky - the sky, being the brightest object in the image, draws the attention away from that awesome texture !

[JeffreyP]

Megatrixel - Amazing shot! Love the effect. Since you commented that B&W isn't a simple "desaturate", can you share how you got this conversion? Just curious, cause I am going to try some B/W conversions, but don't know where to start.

Reigh,

Love the different crops, very nice. Frames are excellent, can you show me how to do frames like this? Too complicated? Love your inner frame where the pic crosses into it.

Jeff

[MegaTrixel]

Jeff, there are a few different methods for color to b/w conversion. This forum contains at least two threads (maybe more) for this topic.

Try these:
You can go to this link (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=34977&highlight=)to see one.
Or try this one (http://www.thelightsrightstudio.com/DigitalDarkroom/TipOfTheWeek/2004SEP13/2004SEP13.htm).

Thanks for your comments!

[MegaTrixel]

Olegis, Thanks for your comments. Yes, the texture in the mud was what lured me to take the photograph!

[Columbus Photo]

I love the picture! Look at it more than once..It gets better with each glance!

[HJMinard]

James, this image is fantastic ... were it mine it would end up on a wall! I agree with Oleg ... the foreground makes this shot and I wouldn't remove any of it.

Wonderful ...

[Reigh Higgins]

Megatrixel - Amazing shot! Love the effect. Since you commented that B&W isn't a simple "desaturate", can you share how you got this conversion? Just curious, cause I am going to try some B/W conversions, but don't know where to start.

Reigh,

Love the different crops, very nice. Frames are excellent, can you show me how to do frames like this? Too complicated? Love your inner frame where the pic crosses into it.

Jeff

Jeff : The framing tool I use is a plugin for PS ,both CS and Elements 1,2 and 3, available from www. shutterfeaks.com and called Flexible Frames. It is very easy to use and reasonably priced.