[Leica] Query re B&W photography in digital

[hoppyman at bigpond.net.au (G Hopkinson)]

Tom, if you are capturing your originals digitally, then the response of the 
sensor is different from various bw films. So an orange
filter, say to create a certain effect on Tri-X, may not duplicate the same 
from a sensor. Not that it can't be done, only that it
may work differently.
I understand what Henning has said. I do think that you can achieve a 
similar effect to a physical filter by post-processing,
although it may not suit your method or necessarily be as convenient. His 
other important and valid point is that you may want to
manipulate the file as little as possible. Post-processing of course will 
also allow you to blend multiple effects which would be
much more difficult with the traditional method. You might choose to locally 
modify some parts of the image or change which channel
is predominant. A landscape pic with rock, greenery sky and sea  can be 
completely altered in effect based on which element you may
like to emphasise. So my vote is THINK bw for composition, exposure and 
capture in colour at high bit; then use the enormous
flexibility of Photoshop to extract the best bw that suits you. More than 
one way to skin a cat, naturally ;-)
It will be very interesting if some of our experienced M8 users chime in 
here.
I think that you should shoot a bunch and share with us all what works best 
for you.

Cheers
Hoppy 

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org 
[mailto:lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Tom Schofield
Sent: Thursday, 19 July 2007 10:04
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] Query re B&W photography in digital

Thanks, Hoppy, I'll look for that book.

I know that much of what filters do for B&W can be duplicated in  PS,  
with the advantages that you can print color or B&W, you don't have  
light loss through the filters, and you don't have to buy, carry and  
fiddle with the filters, but it keeps bothering me whether there are  
still advantages to doing it the old fashioned way and using filters  
where I intend to make B&W prints.  Henning is saying some filters  
can't be duplicated, and it is better to have to do the least amount  
of manipulation in post processing.

I haven't explored any of the plug-ins that duplicate contrast  
filters, either.

Thanks,

Tom


On Jul 17, 2007, at 6:23 PM, G Hopkinson wrote:

> Tom, my processes are still entirely hybrid, that is scanning to  
> get the images into the digital domain. I would like to add a
> couple of thoughts on the filters/conversion options. Is a UV  
> filter not working for you to reduce any haze effect in the distance?
> I recommend retaining all of the original RGB information wherever  
> from, when you plan to make a bw picture. This gives you the most
> flexibility. As you know the channels can be mixed and you have  
> control of the ratio. It is very easy to preview and compare the
> grey tone from each channel with PS.
> May I also suggest that you try the Pixel Genius Photokit plug-ins  
> for PS? The colour to bw set offers a good selection of pre-tuned
> selections. Good also for bw toning. You can download a free trial.  
> I am sure that some other plug-ins offer similar ideas. This one
> is inexpensive, I thought.
> Finally I strongly recommend a book that Tina initially introduced  
> to the LUG. I have found it invaluable.
> "Black and White Photography Techniques with Adobe Photoshop" by  
> Maurice Hamilton, Amherst Media.
>
> Cheers
> Hoppy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Subject: [Leica] Query re B&W photography in digital
>
> Here is a questions for all of you artists of the monochrome medium
> who have made the digital transition --
> a question which I have not found the answer to elsewhere --
>
> I understand that you can duplicate the effect of yellow-red-orange-
> green contrast filters by manipulating curves in PS or other
> software, but my question is whether there remains any advantage to
> using the glass filters on the lens in the first place if you intend
> to make a monochrome image?
>
> For example, in addition to changing the relative values of the sky
> or foliage or skin with filters, haze penetration is another benefit
> to using a red, orange, or to lesser extent, yellow, filter -- i.e.
> do you still get haze penetration effects by dialing down the blue
> channel?
>
> Thanks for you insight,
>
> Tom Schofield
>