how can i obtain such tones in a black and white?

hi

i'm not sure this is the right section , because about the photo , i don't
know if the picture is the reult of a great shooting skill or a great use of photoshop ,or both of them (i guess)

the author is Brian Mollenkopf
and the picture is in a digital review photo contest
the photo -> http://www.dpreview.co​m …70371&View=Resu​lts&Rows=4

i really love the black & white tones

is there a tutorial to obtain such black & white photo?

ps.my english is not good enough , hope i respected the rules about posting the link , the author and the right section


cheers
thanks in advance

In my opinion it started off as a very good exposure followed by some PP.

He is using NIK Plug in to convert to B&W, the silver fx pro has lots of presets.

I'm not sure what it is you want. I see nothing about the tonal qualities of that image that a bit of time in photoshop would not achieve? Yes, its a cute picture, but thats all.

Try searching for the phrase "high key photo". The image has low contrast with the tonal ranged skewed toward the mid tones and highlights, I.e., a high key image. The black and white can be done a number of different ways, the author used a plug in specifically for b&w conversion.

Kirk

A good use of lighting to start off with! I'd guess at least two lights for the subject and then one to light up the background, but I'm not an expert is that stuff!

Lowner wrote in post #13793477
I I see nothing about the tonal qualities of that image that a bit of time in photoshop would not achieve?

yes Lowner ,that's what i like the tonal gradient of black and white

kirkt wrote in post #13793479
Try searching for the phrase "high key photo". The image has low contrast with the tonal ranged skewed toward the mid tones and highlights, I.e., a high key image. The black and white can be done a number of different ways, the author used a plug in specifically for b&w conversion.

Kirk

thanks Kirk
the histogram shows (but i don't know what he did in post produtcion)

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tonylong wrote in post #13793859
A good use of lighting to start off with! I'd guess at least two lights for the subject and then one to light up the background, but I'm not an expert is that stuff!

thanks Tonylong
you are talking about something like that http://www.photopoly.n​et/how-to-take-high-key-photos/

The image and the histogram suggest that the photographer used soft light, like a large soft box, above camera right to produce the flood of light on the subject with very soft shadows. Observe the catchlight in the subject's eyes and the soft shadows, especially under the tub, an area that "should" be in full shadow. There may also be a reflector or something providing fill on the left side of the image. The tones in this image are, as the histogram illustrates, primarily in the mids and highlights, with very little 3/4 or shadow tones. Makes sense. The light background, with separate illumination on it, brings the background up into this range. The choice of a caucasian child, white tub, and light background bring the tonal range up into a very narrow range. The image would be a lot different if, for example, a black background were used, or a spotlight effect were used for illumination on the child, etc. - these scene elements would increase the contrast and tonal range, changing the flavor of the image. The flood of bright, soft light is appropriate and appealing for the subject.


You could stretch the contrast for this image in post, but the feel of the image would change drastically.

kirk

Mantra,

It's Richard by the way. What I see with the tones is a reduction in contrast and then a shift of the whole histogram. Unlike Kirk I do not think that the contrast has been stretched. At least that would be my first attempt at copying the look.

I did not say that the contrast WAS stretched - I said you COULD stretch it if you want to, but that doing so would change the look of the image. FOr example, if you thought that the histogram should have more representation in the 3/4 and shadow, you could make moves in post that would bring the image into those tonal ranges - this would change the look and feel of the image, however.

kirk

Kirk,

My apologies if you feel my comment was intended as a criticism. I can assure you I respect your opinions a lot.

ralff wrote in post #13792995
He is using NIK Plug in to convert to B&W, the silver fx pro has lots of presets.

Right above the picture he stats he is using NIk plug ins.....they have several sets of "high key" selections that you can fine tune to get that effect.

Lowner wrote in post #13795206
Kirk,

My apologies if you feel my comment was intended as a criticism. I can assure you I respect your opinions a lot.

Not interpreted as a criticism at all - I just wanted to clarify, in case others interpreted as you did, as you know what you are talking about, whereas I can be scatterbrained at a moment's notice.

kirk

kirkt wrote in post #13794657
The image and the histogram suggest that the photographer used soft light, like a large soft box, above camera right to produce the flood of light on the subject with very soft shadows. Observe the catchlight in the subject's eyes and the soft shadows, especially under the tub, an area that "should" be in full shadow. There may also be a reflector or something providing fill on the left side of the image. The tones in this image are, as the histogram illustrates, primarily in the mids and highlights, with very little 3/4 or shadow tones. Makes sense. The light background, with separate illumination on it, brings the background up into this range.
kirk

thanks Kirk makes sense
never had luck with high keys , i will try it on sunday
i guess an outdoor high key would really arduous to take

Lowner wrote in post #13794936
Mantra,

It's Richard by the way. What I see with the tones is a reduction in contrast and then a shift of the whole histogram.

thanks Richard ,yes i guess he did with nik plugin or with camera raw before

ralff wrote in post #13795208
Right above the picture he stats he is using NIk plug ins.....they have several sets of "high key" selections that you can fine tune to get that effect.

thanks Ralff
i have nik silver v1 , i have silver efex 2 (i read it's an amazing plugin, not cheap)
i think nik did his job , but i can't belive it's enough good to realize such photo without a good exposure
do you have nik silver efex 2? is so good?
really i don't know , v1 is a great plugin

I have the latest version of Silver efex and it will do similar effects, I do quite a bit of B&W work, that is what originally got me into photography in the early 70's.