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View Full Version : converting colour to black and white


freespirit
03-06-2009, 04:22 PM
I am new here and just an amature althouygh i have been taking pics for a long time. my question ....would you get better resuts from taking the photo in black and white or in colour and converting it later does it make a difference? converting it later does it affect quality?
Thanks:rolleyes:
neonmike
03-06-2009, 04:38 PM
Typically you get better restults when actually shooting in black and white. However, shooting in color and converting gives more flexability. Not all cameras have the ability to shoot both so many people have to convert after the shot is taken. This allows you to change color levels in the picture to get the final result you really want.

When I convert, I'll often change the level of some of the colors before accepting the conversion. This allows me to lighten some areas while darkening others if I'm not happy with the basic conversion. There are also a lot of tricks you can do by desaturating the photo instead of converting it. But I like the control of the coversion method.
ladyups
03-07-2009, 07:34 PM
Or, if you have the option on your camera to shoot in RAW, you can shoot in Black/White (gives you a glimpse of what it will look like on your LCD screen but you have all the color information available to you....you are shooting in RAW and in Black and White but if you want the colored version, its there too. Since RAW contains all the image information, you don't lose your color just because you shot in Black and White. Its a great option!
geehop
03-08-2009, 01:10 AM
If I read the lesson correctly, it was suggested to shoot in color and convert to B/W on the computer.
Did I misread it?
ladyups
03-08-2009, 01:37 AM
If I read the lesson correctly, it was suggested to shoot in color and convert to B/W on the computer.
Did I misread it?


No, you did not misread. The lesson does state to shoot in color and then convert to Black/White. But, on my Sony, I have the luxury of shooting in B/W when I shoot in raw and still retain the color information. I just like to see an example of what the shot would look like shot in B/W and since I shoot in raw/jpg formats, I can do it this way.
geehop
03-08-2009, 03:58 AM
I also have a Sony..(350),,,I havent had it long enough to try shooting in different formats to see what can be done that way.
still a lot to learn.
Thanks for the input.
neonmike
03-08-2009, 04:38 PM
Mary, I completely forgot about shooting RAW. Thanks for chiming in. I haven't been shooting RAW enough with my Canon. I'll have to give it a go.
ladyups
03-08-2009, 04:55 PM
Mary, I completely forgot about shooting RAW. Thanks for chiming in. I haven't been shooting RAW enough with my Canon. I'll have to give it a go.

Glad to give you the reminder! :) I like doing it this way so I can see instantly what it would look like in B/W....the forum has been a bit slow lately. I'm really starting to worry about Sue...I sure hope her health is improving soon!
neonmike
03-09-2009, 12:25 PM
Yeah I know. I checked out the post about the paper doll a few days back. I've been meaning to make one up and maybe get it started. But I've been hoping she'd get better before it got started. It was her idea and I'd love to hear that she's ok and ready to get it started.