Crossposted from 300D forum

B&W is wonderful with digital cameras, if you know how.

A nice link: http://www.epaperpress.com/psphoto/bawGrayscale.html
And for lots of links and detail: http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/features.html
and http://www.normankoren.com/makingfineprints4.html#Convert

You should start with a calibrated monitor and matched printer (if you are going to print).
See appendix below for this.

First, the conversion. Here are the ways:

1.Using Channel Mixer (see first link, above)
2.From RAW with B&W
(http://www.outbackphoto.com/artofraw/raw_08/profile_BW.zip)
Must have Capture One for this.
2. By desaturating in PS
3. By grayscale conversion in PS
4. With a film and filter layer (see first link):
Two adjustment layers, each with hue saturation. The upper layer is "film" and it should be set with saturation at 0, to make B&W
The lower adjustment layer is the "filter" layer, and the hue can be slid around to alter the colors selectively that are converted to B&W. This is another Russell Brown technique:
(movie here: http://www.russellbrown.com/tips/moviesps/ColortoB&W.mov) or PDF here:
(http://www.russellbrown.com/tips/pdf/colortoB&W.pdf)

Second, add an S-curve adjustment layer to boost contrast if desired.

Third, add film grain. This is a CRUCIAL missing ingredient in making B&W. Otherwise, it looks artificial to many people. Use the Film Grain action included in this action set for very controllable film grain: http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo52.php3

Fourth, tone the print. This adds an authentic tone. Apply one of these actions, and then use the opacity slider to the desired level of effect:
http://www.epaperpress.com/psphoto/download/epp%20Actions.atn
Info on these at: http://www.epaperpress.com/psphoto/bawClassicTones.html

If you are printing, add the Clipping curve found at the bottom of the last link.

Finally, resize, sharpen, and print (hopefully with a calibrated monitor/printer).

Calibration Appendix
I DON'T use color management, but get great results. I adjust my monitor by:
1. Maximum contrast
2. Maximum brightness, then decrease until you JUST see the difference in the two darkest squares of the black point boxes here: http://www.epaperpress.com/monitorcal/title.html
3. If the grey boxes are ABSOLUTELY grey, you don't need to mess with color calibration. Adjust
gamma to 2.2 with your video card (preferable), Adobe gamma, Little CMS (http://www.littlecms.com/profilers.htm),
or QuickGamma (http://www.normankoren.com/QuickGammaEN.exe). Best way to measure Gamma 2.2 -
http://www.normankoren.com/QuickGammaEN.exe, set at 2.2 and adjust until the boxes blend at a distance or with a squint in dimmed lighting.
4. Once your monitor is adjusted to 2.2, get your printer matched, using these instructions:
http://www.normankoren.com/printer_calibration.html#Printer
--
Paul

------------------------------------------------
*Pbase supporter*
Photographs at: http://www.pbase.com/pbleic/photos
--------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2003 All rights reserved.