New to B/W conversion

Hello all, I just downloaded a trial of Silver Efex Pro, and I have been trying it out...also working on some B/W conversions for the upcoming fair season.

Please tell me what you think of these, and be gentle! Like I said, I am new to the B/W thing

I started by using different random pre-sets, then adjusting them as I saw fit!
1.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/64373362@N08/7​779067650/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/64373362@N08/7​779067990/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/64373362@N08/7​778875232/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/64373362@N08/7​778875778/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/64373362@N08/7​778641040/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/64373362@N08/7​778877200/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/64373362@N08/7​778638708/

Those are some very good shots...Particularly 2 and 7...Very good B&W tone to them...The only nit I'd pick is they are too contrasty...Bump the contrast down a few notches and I think they'll look great.

rrblint wrote in post #14855433
Those are some very good shots...Particularly 2 and 7...Very good B&W tone to them...The only nit I'd pick is they are too contrasty...Bump the contrast down a few notches and I think they'll look great.

Thank you! I am almost for certain entering 2&7, so that's great feedback for me

Going through my photos, I feel like I tend to be overly-contrasted, and it is definitely something I need to work on!

Wonderful series. That's the thing about b&w conversion, you fiddle with it and eventually you find what works best for the image.

Kevan wrote in post #14856104
Wonderful series. That's the thing about b&w conversion, you fiddle with it and eventually you find what works best for the image.

Thank you! So it seems like so far, so good?

Welcome to the club! For me personally, mono photography is the most satisfyingly creative approach to the photographic medium, as it allows us such a broad scope for how the final image looks through selective colour filtering. You've done a good job on this set. I think 1 is my favourite, but largely because I think the composition and subject are the most compelling. Personally, I don't think your images are too contrasty. On the contrary, I feel contrast is an important element in mono conversations as it gives your images a lot of punch, provided you avoid allowing any dominant tones to unbalance the composition.

Out of 4 and 5, I personally prefer 4. I feel the warmer toning is more appropriate for the subject matter.

Keep at it!

onona wrote in post #14856438
Welcome to the club! For me personally, mono photography is the most satisfyingly creative approach to the photographic medium, as it allows us such a broad scope for how the final image looks through selective colour filtering. You've done a good job on this set. I think 1 is my favourite, but largely because I think the composition and subject are the most compelling. Personally, I don't think your images are too contrasty. On the contrary, I feel contrast is an important element in mono conversations as it gives your images a lot of punch, provided you avoid allowing any dominant tones to unbalance the composition.

Out of 4 and 5, I personally prefer 4. I feel the warmer toning is more appropriate for the subject matter.

Keep at it!

Thank you so much! As far as 1, I have a color image where he is looking at the camera, and it is going to be hard to choose which one to enter!

And I agree, I am leaning towards 4 as well :]