Coloring a B&W Image/Removing Color from Color Image?

[raid]

I have an image of a mannequin in the area around Bourbon Street (New Orleans). The original transparency shows some nice orange color through the window. The B&W version on the other hand, lets you better focus on the mannequin. Lastly, the PS colored B&W conversion is more vintage looking.

What do you think about such conversions in general? Is it "fake" and unacceptable, or is it just another way to get a different looking image?



I was walking around the block when I was starltled by "her look".

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/atop10.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/atop10BWnocoloring.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/atop10BW.jpg

[payasam]

Perfectly acceptable, Raid; though I'd call the third picture toned, not coloured.

[robert blu]

in my opinion the third image is very good and pleasant. For me it is important the final look of the image, if it is made by toning in tea a traditional wet darkroom picture or madie by PS elaboration it is not so important. What is important is to reach the desired effect, and the effect must have his own logic, nor just be a "special effect" to surprise people. In your case it works, the first image with the orange colours is a little confusing, the second is acceptable but the third transmit more emotion compared to the previous two. Well done. Just my idea.
robert

[raid]

Perfectly acceptable, Raid; though I'd call the third picture toned, not coloured.

Payasam,

Yes, you are right. It was toned.

[raid]

in my opinion the third image is very good and pleasant. For me it is important the final look of the image, if it is made by toning in tea a traditional wet darkroom picture or madie by PS elaboration it is not so important. What is important is to reach the desired effect, and the effect must have his own logic, nor just be a "special effect" to surprise people. In your case it works, the first image with the orange colours is a little confusing, the second is acceptable but the third transmit more emotion compared to the previous two. Well done. Just my idea.
robert

Robert,

I see your point. This is the first time that I have played with this image. I took it years ago during a photo project that I set for myself to do. The first photo is the way it really looked like.

[julio1fer]

This is a great capture.

I believe it is perfectly right to choose if you want to render the image in B&W, toned, or in color. In this example I like best the third version and the original color slide. The third version, with its warm tones, is probably better suited to the vintage, intimate look of the subject.

Raid, I do B&W versions of my color shots all the time, and I try to learn what makes them work. Hopefully this exercise helps me to better "seeing" (photographically speaking) a subject.

[trittium]

you could paint the color on a new layer then change the layer to color mode. This is the most complex one I have done. It kind of a technicolor feel.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/22/27878130_a64c56507e_o.jpg

[Pablito]

I prefer the original color version. IMO, the monochrome version would improve a lot if you brought down the tonality of the brick wall surrounding the door That way, the viewer would be draw to the figure, not distracted by the bright and highly textured walls.

[raid]

I prefer the original color version. IMO, the monochrome version would improve a lot if you brought down the tonality of the brick wall surrounding the door That way, the viewer would be draw to the figure, not distracted by the bright and highly textured walls.

Hi Pablito,

How would I go about bringing down the tonality of the brick walls? I am only doing very basic PS changes with me "PS Elements".

[raid]

you could paint the color on a new layer then change the layer to color mode. This is the most complex one I have done. It kind of a technicolor feel.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/22/27878130_a64c56507e_o.jpg

Matt,
Your image looks like IR film. I like it, but it looks surreal. As for using layers, I would not know where to start.

[raid]

This is a great capture.

I believe it is perfectly right to choose if you want to render the image in B&W, toned, or in color. In this example I like best the third version and the original color slide. The third version, with its warm tones, is probably better suited to the vintage, intimate look of the subject.

Raid, I do B&W versions of my color shots all the time, and I try to learn what makes them work. Hopefully this exercise helps me to better "seeing" (photographically speaking) a subject.

Julio,

Thanks. I have only recently started to convert a few ofmy color images to B&W. Sometimes it works well and sometimes it does not.

[Pablito]

I may have gone a little too far, but there are many ways. Select the wall, then use curves or levels. Or, just use the burn tool, but you won't have as much control. BTW, I really like the muted tones of the color version and the orange color behind the manequin. It has a perverse sort of erotic quality, knowing it's a manequin. Much more evocative, IMO.

[raid]

Pablito,

I tried out your suggestion. Is this image "better"?
It's not completely done yet, but you get the picture.

The Image as initially posted here:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/atop10BWnocoloring.jpg


The image adjusted partially:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/atop10BWadjusted.jpg

[Pablito]

Raid, check the thumbnail attached to my post #8. I tried it out for you! In your new version (post #13), I can see the ghost of the selection tool- gotta watch out for that. Also the figure is looking a bit washed out. Was better in your original monochrome version. Don't despair, it's a very strong image and worth the effort!

[Pablito]

Not sure what you're doing Raid, but you're losing contrast in the figure....

[payasam]

I'd say it's probably an improvement. But the highlights of the lower part of the door are gone.

[vrgard]

Just wanted to say thanks, Raid, for starting this thread and to everyone else for sharing their thoughts and suggestions. I like to convert from color to B&W and, based on reading the postings here, realize that I still have much to learn about how best to do it.

-Randy

[ferider]

I do it all the time. I use the FM PS plugin which is very easy
to use, plug filters in, add levels, etc. It's perfectly acceptable
IMO and makes life much easier, wrt dust removal, etc.

Roland.

[vrgard]

Roland, which FM plugin are you referring to? Is it BW Workflo Pro?

-Randy

[raid]

I am in a learning mode right now, and I will not give up. I realized my error after I chose the central part of image and did some adjusting there. The mannequin looked not so contrasty afterwards. As I said before, it is an experimental trial. Thanks.

[raid]

Here is one more example: dancers in a club. The digital"noise" is overdone, but I just want to show the original, which is all red.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/adancercolor.jpg

Now we have the B&W conversion:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/adancerBW.jpg

Lastly, this is the toned image:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/raidamin/adancerBWtoned.jpg

[vrgard]

Raid, I have a harder time evaluating this image in its different incarnations. Don't know if it's because the image is so much busier or because of the noise/focus or because of the heavy overlay of red or what. Don't mean to sound critical of the image, but rather, to say that I find it more difficult to have an opinion of the different versions of this particular image.

Roland, any chance you can answer my inquiry above?

-Randy

[ferider]

Roland, which FM plugin are you referring to? Is it BW Workflo Pro?

-Randy

Yes, Randy. Sorry for the late answer.

Used for example in the photo of Devon that we just discussed, with
a yellow filter.

Roland.

[vrgard]

Thanks, Roland, for your answer. Which leads, of course, to yet another question. When you say "with a yellow filter" do you mean you used a yellow filter on the lens or that you used a yellow filter setting with the PS plugin?

Thanks,
Randy

[raid]

Raid, I have a harder time evaluating this image in its different incarnations. Don't know if it's because the image is so much busier or because of the noise/focus or because of the heavy overlay of red or what. Don't mean to sound critical of the image, but rather, to say that I find it more difficult to have an opinion of the different versions of this particular image.

Roland, any chance you can answer my inquiry above?

-Randy

Randy,

Your honest input is valued. Thanks.
I just took this photo to illustrate a situation in a very dark CanCan club with red light.

[shiro_kuro]

http://www.journalofaphotographer.com/workflow_tutorials/tutorial_converting_color_images_to_black_and_whit e.php

Try this out and see what you think ...... one of my Favorites for converting color to black and white .....

[ferider]

Thanks, Roland, for your answer. Which leads, of course, to yet another question. When you say "with a yellow filter" do you mean you used a yellow filter on the lens or that you used a yellow filter setting with the PS plugin?

Thanks,
Randy

No filter on the lens, Randy. Superia 400, and yellow filter in the plugin
(also has green, orange, red, blue, and a variety of other parametrizations).

Roland.

[vrgard]

Thanks, Roland. Me thinks I'll have to acquire this plug-in. Just read about it on Fred Miranda's site and it does look like it would be both easy and fun to use.

-Randy

[raid]

http://www.journalofaphotographer.com/workflow_tutorials/tutorial_converting_color_images_to_black_and_whit e.php

Try this out and see what you think ...... one of my Favorites for converting color to black and white .....

Thank you Shiro-Kuro for the link. I will read it carefully.