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7 days in monochrome challenge


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#21
Merco_61

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46273510884_1e49a942c0_o.jpgPES_2019-02-05_07-27-40_24mm__01 by merco_61, on Flickr

 

Model: NIKON D700
Lens (mm): 24 (AF-S Nikkor 24/1.8 G ED)
ISO: 1250
Aperture: 3.5
Shutter: 1/100
 

The same preset again, no contrast boost but a yellow-green filter.

 

Mark, that is exactly what I mean. I did a blog post back in 2014 that might be of interest. Black and white conversions using the channel mixers in Lightroom - NikonForums.com

 

Bengan, I think we will keep this as an open challenge that can be done whenever one sees an opportunity to shoot for 7 days straight. Who is to say that a Sunday to Saturday, or any other schedule works for somebody else?

My idea is to keep this thread as a place to showcase, and perhaps get some feedback and discussion going when one does the challenge just to challenge yourself. It is good that so many have been active in the thread already as every participant is automagically following the thread.



#22
ScottinPollock

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Day 5: continuing the Winter theme... this is simply a small tree with a lot of snow on it, but at this angle I see something different:

 

https://scottinpollo...s/snowSloth.jpg

 

Camera: DC-G9

Lens: LUMIX G VARIO 12-60/F3.5-5.6

Focal Length: 53.0 mm

Aperture: 5.6

Shutter Speed: 1/125

ISO: 200

 

DxO FilmPack - Kodak T-Max™ 100



#23
Nikon Shooter

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but at this angle I see something different:

 

 

 

Me too… crazy coooool! :P



#24
Merco_61

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47008974621_0322fbca26_o.jpgPES_2019-02-06_12-33-40_24mm_D by merco_61, on Flickr

 

Model: NIKON D700
Lens (mm): 24 (AF-S Nikkor 24/1.8 G ED)
ISO: 500
Aperture: 3.5
Shutter: 1/640
Exp. Comp.: +2.0

 

The same paper hue and toning preset, but applied to Ilford HP5 emulation and a red filter.



#25
Nikon Shooter

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B8726%205D.jpg



#26
sunshine

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My living room.  For this one I wanted to capture the pattern of the light from the lamps.

 

i-fmDn4pG-XL.jpg

 

D810 with 24-70mm f/2.8

Focal length: 24mm

Aperture: f/8

Shutter: 5 seconds

ISO: 64

 

I put the camera on a tripod in order to use a small aperture and low ISO.  There are two other lamps out of the frame to the right.  5 second shutter speed showed one stop underexposed on the meter.  Converted to black and white in Lightroom using B&W 01 profile.

 

Any suggestions or recommendations for what to do differently?

 

Edited - I made some changes and re-posted the photo after comments below.



#27
Nikon Shooter

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Any suggestions or recommendations for what to do differently?


Can it be illustrated instead of a text typed form, Mark?



#28
sunshine

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Can it be illustrated instead of a text typed form, Mark?

 

Only if your suggestions are something that I can duplicate.  I would like to understand what makes a good black and white photo and what processing steps are required to accomplish that.  If you take my photo and change it, that doesn't necessarily help me unless you also explain what you did and - more importantly - why.



#29
Nikon Shooter

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Only if your suggestions are something that I can duplicate.

Sure!

First, I had to limit my tweaks because too many tonal values were
lost in the conversion and the haloing betrays a somewhat heavy
handed sharpening.

Second, I concentrated on popping visual life and interest in the
lower keys of the take through adjustment layers and

Third, did some cosmetic healings.

810_4077.jpg
 



#30
Merco_61

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Mark, for a serene scene like this, I would start from a channel mixer with about +30 for red and blue and +40 for green. I would then play around with the exposure curve until I have detail in the deepest shadows and the highlights look right.

 

The channel mixer setup is based on that I would have used Ilford FP4 in the film days and this mix mimics that spectral response fairly well. You might have to tweak the mixer settings to get the fabric on the sofas to look natural.

 

I am not sure if I have missed some steps here as I haven't used LR for some years now.



#31
sunshine

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Thanks to both of you for the comments.

 

Sure!

First, I had to limit my tweaks because too many tonal values were
lost in the conversion and the haloing betrays a somewhat heavy
handed sharpening.

Second, I concentrated on popping visual life and interest in the
lower keys of the take through adjustment layers and

Third, did some cosmetic healings.

 

I did not apply any sharpening, only the Clarity slider and Noise Reduction.  My wife pointed out the electrical outlet and wires.  I had not noticed them.  I'm conflicted on whether things like that should be removed.  Yes - it improves the aesthetics but it no longer reflects reality.  I know that's been a long running debate, and I do spot correct photos that I deem more important, but for this exercise I was mostly interested in capturing the play of light and texture.

 

Mark, for a serene scene like this, I would start from a channel mixer with about +30 for red and blue and +40 for green. I would then play around with the exposure curve until I have detail in the deepest shadows and the highlights look right.

 

The channel mixer setup is based on that I would have used Ilford FP4 in the film days and this mix mimics that spectral response fairly well. You might have to tweak the mixer settings to get the fabric on the sofas to look natural.

 

I am not sure if I have missed some steps here as I haven't used LR for some years now.

 

I reset the photo back to original settings and started over to try your recommendations.  I should have made a virtual copy.  I cannot even duplicate my original edit now...   :(   I do see differences between what I originally posted and what your settings produce but I can't decide whether the photo is improved or just different.  Since I do not have a frame of reference for what this scene might have looked like on black and white film, I can only go with what is pleasing to my eye which is very subjective.  In any case I am enjoying the exercise and looking at possible subjects differently.



#32
Merco_61

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Mark, I suspect that the way LR converts to monochrome introduces sharpening effects. The algorithm for the basic conversions used to be a desaturation followed by a sharpening stage to produce the final product. This has  never been a good way of doing things, but it uses minimal computer power. I am not sure if the current software still does this, but it seems to.



#33
ScottinPollock

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Camera: DC-G9
Lens: LUMIX G VARIO 12-60/F3.5-5.6
Focal Length: 49.0 mm
Aperture: 5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/125
ISO: 200
DxO FilmPack Fuji Neopan™ Acros 100


#34
Merco_61

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46106443145_3c7f373b56_o.jpgPES_2019-02-07_21-33-00_105mm_ by merco_61, on Flickr

 

Model: NIKON D300
Lens (mm): 105 (MicroNikkor 105/4 Ai'd)
ISO: 200
Aperture: 8
Shutter: 1.3
Exp. Comp.: -0.7

 

Yellow-green filter, HP5



#35
sunshine

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Day 5 for me.  After Peter and Nikon Shooter's discussion yesterday I decided to add the latest Nik Collection to Lightroom.  I had installed it awhile back when it was free but never really did anything with it.  This time I paid for the full collection ($69 USD) and plan to spend some time learning the capabilities.

 

Decanter:

i-QBsFrZH-XL.jpg

 

Nikon D810 with Sigma 105mm f/1.4

Focal length: 105mm

Aperture: f/8

Shutter: 1/200"

ISO: 64

 

One speedlight in a softbox directly right of the subject and ceiling height, set to 1/2.

Converted via Silver Efex Pro 2 plugin for Lightroom.  I selected Fuji Neopan ACROS 100 film type because I liked the look.  I applied a yellow filter after clicking through the available options.  Again, I just liked the look.  I'll look forward to finding tomorrow's subject.  And maybe revisit my previous submissions in Silver Efex.



#36
Nikon Shooter

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Nothing sophisticated…
simple conversion and chrominance tweaks
and, for once, decided to applied a soft grain.

B8904%205D.jpg



#37
Merco_61

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32087690657_dff44f6599_o.jpgPES_2019-02-08_07-27-28_24mm_ by merco_61, on Flickr

 

Model: NIKON D700
Lens (mm): 24 (AF-S Nikkor 24/1.8 G ED)
ISO: 1400
Aperture: 2.2
Shutter: 1/60
 

PanF, red filter and a stronger selenium toning than usual.



#38
Bengan

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Now Peter, that is a great shot. I like it a lot



#39
Merco_61

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Thank you, Bengan, it is the courtyard at the city library, taken 17 minutes before sunrise.



#40
ScottinPollock

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Day 7: A bit of actual sun today, so a Polaroid of my chilly chalet...
 
 
Camera: DMC-G85
Lens: LUMIX G 25/F1.7
Focal Length: 25.0 mm
Aperture: 3.2
Shutter Speed: 1/400
ISO: 200
DxO FilmPack Polaroid 672