Black and White

[CG415]

I read some where that it is better to take you photos in color and then convert them to B&W in Photoshop or some other program. Would I get better results doing it that way or should I just take B&W photos with my camera?

Thanks,

Chris

[gldiana]

Unless you shoot RAW, DO NOT TAKE BLACK & WHITE PHOTOS WITH YOUR CAMERA!

If you do, the camera decides for you and you will never have the chance to make important modifications. If you shoot RAW, it doesn't really matter because RAW is neither a color nor a B&W format. It's just data.

[CG415]

Ok, then I guess that brings up my next question. When do you know that it is time to start shooting RAW instead of JPG? I have never worked with RAW files so I worried about how to process them.

Thanks,

Chris

[mhayes]

I always shoot RAW unless the photos I'm taking are family gathering snapshots. The reason for this is that the children are always moving fast so I set my D80 to full auto and JPEG fine - this combination produces excellent results. If I'm shooting macro, landscapes or the night sky I always use RAW for the ability to produce the greatest range of enhancements.

There have been several articles in the various photo magazines lately on how best to produce a B&W image (including OP). The standard recommendation is to shoot RAW and convert at the computer. Some of these articles even provide the step by step conversion process for different editing programs.

[Bonish Photo]

One reason to always shoot in Color is it gives you the option of processing it afterwards. If you only shoot in Black & White, then you only have one option. If shooting in Color, you have the option to convert to black and white, but not vice-versa.

You dont have to shoot in RAW, but it sure does help. I've converted plenty of Jpegs over and they still look great, it's just that you'll lose a bit unlike you would in RAW.

Just my 2 cents

[gldiana]

>When do you know that it is time to start shooting RAW instead of JPG?

Oh, that's an easy question: ALWAYS!

Well, unless you really don't care for the result, as in, not of artistic value (like the family snapshots mentioned)

Pat, there's more than that to not shoot RAW. The problem of not being able to convert a B&W to color once is saved in JPEG is just the tip of the iceberg.
The biggest problem is that once you set the camera to B&W and you get that JPEG the processor in the camera has made all the decisions for you with no way of going back. You're letting a computer decide art and that's based on a series of mathematical decisions which were pre-made by camera makers. Take an in-camera B&W with a Canon, the the same shot with the same settings with a Sony, a Pentax, Nikon, etc. and you will get all different results because image manipulation is dictated by software. The same goes for JPEG shot in color.
But take that same shot in RAW and you will see that all shots are identical independently of the camera (keeping in mind of course technical limitations differences between models).
I always shoot RAW+JPEG so I don't have to worry about forgetting to change settings, if all I need is the JPEG I'll later dump the RAW and vice-versa.

Chris, don't be intimidated by RAW, it's actually a lot of fun. It's like going back to the darkroom (Lightroom?) without the smelly fumes

[CG415]

Well I guess if I'm going to start working with RAW files I'm going to have to get a bigger SD card and really start working of the wife for that new Mac that we have been looking at. Oh Darn.

Peace,

Chris

[hw771230]

I agree completely with Luca.

ALWAYS shoot in RAW. I shoot RAW+jpg so I can do a quick cull and save my storage space. I go back later and process the RAW files. There are a lot of books out there that can help with getting the most out of your RAW files. On some files I'll even double process the RAW to get better results. This is not really possible with jpegs. B&W conversion from RAW is much better than in camera, too. the options are nearly endless.

Caleb

[Bonish Photo]

I agree with you 100% Luca, maybe I just said it wrong?

I didnt even know you could set the camera to Black & WHite with the Canon's. Then I went and grabbed the manual for the wife's 30D and realized there is an option for that? I'd never let the camera decide that for me anyway.

My 1D doesnt have that option? Not that I'd ever use it.

I shoot Raw+small Jpeg. that way I have the small jpeg to look at real quick and decide if I like the image, if not, then I delete both, but if I think the jpeg is composed correctly and it was properly exposed, then I do my adjustments with the raw file and save to a large Jpeg that I can use from there.

Camera Raw in CS3 is so awesome, and night and day over CS2. CS3 is basically what Lightroom has to offer all in one package. Just without the sorting stuff like Lightroom has

[digitaljohn]

Chris
Shoot Raw and don't worry about it. You will do fine. Raw processors are very easy to use and if you are using CS3 you will be amazed at the results you will get. I shoot Raw, make the best Color image as I can the convert to BW. My web site has examples of color and BW of the same shot and also I posted my method but it is not for the beginner. Black and White is a world that does not exist so you can get away with a lot of manipulation to make your visualization come true. For a hint when I output from raw I keep my highlights detail average less then 243 in Red, Green and Blue and I keep my shadow detail above 13 in all colors. Good luck!
John

[CG415]

Thanks Guys for all of you help! My good computer is still down, it seems that I don't have the time or money right now to do anything with it. So we are using the old p.o.s lap top that can bearly start up. When I get it up and running again I have tons of Pics that I want you all to pick apart. Again thanks for the help!

Chris