Good resources on learning how to shoot black & white

[big_apple_ken]

Hey guys,

I've recently been interested in shooting more in black and white and I'm curious if you guys know of some good online resources (sites/youtube videos) out there that I can reference. Basically I'm interested in a few main things:

1) Since there is no color how should I compose my shots differently in B&W?

2) What makes a 'good' (I use this loosely) B&W shot?

3) If I want to convert a color photo into B&W in LR/PS what is a good tutorial to producing beautiful B&W conversions?

Any tips/links/advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[big_apple_ken]

No good advice/tips/links? :(

[Mike-DT6]

This excellent site springs to mind:

http://www.digital-monochrome.co.uk/

The Learning Zone (links about 1/3 of the way down the page) and the D-M Forum sections will have lots of helpful information for you.

Mike

:-)

[Picture North Carolina]

Take a listen to the podcasts on Thoughts on Photography (http://www.thoughtsonphotography.com/). Although it's about fine art photography, the FAP world heavily emphasizes b&w. Some podcasts directly dive into the subject, but some of the interviews, although somewhat boring, are also revealing about other styles, techniques, etc.

[Picture North Carolina]

Edit: and if you're serious about BW, the Nik SilverEfex filter is mandatory.

[chauncey]

Thanks for link CannedHeat, it lead me to http://www.photocastnetwork.com/contact-us/

[stsva]

I've inserted some answers below.

Hey guys,

I've recently been interested in shooting more in black and white and I'm curious if you guys know of some good online resources (sites/youtube videos) out there that I can reference. Basically I'm interested in a few main things:

1) Since there is no color how should I compose my shots differently in B&W?

Basic principles of composition remain largely the same, but you need to also "see" how the color elements will translate into B&W.

2) What makes a 'good' (I use this loosely) B&W shot?

Images with more "graphical" elements (lines, curves, form, texture, patterns) and relatively high contrast between elements tend to make better B&W shots.

3) If I want to convert a color photo into B&W in LR/PS what is a good tutorial to producing beautiful B&W conversions?

There are probably plenty on the Web; here are a couple:
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/color-black-white.htm
http://digital-photography-school.com/digital-black-and-white

Any tips/links/advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!