The Process of Making Black and White Photos

As I discussed in my last post, I enjoy taking my photos in color and turning them black and white.  There are many ways to convert your photos into black and white but let me start my saying that the one way you should not use is going into a software program and just making the photo into gray scale or monochrome.
This will leave your photo looking dull and boring.

One of the easiest ways if you have Photoshop or Photoshop Elements is to open your photo and create a new Adjustment Layer.  Go to Layers, New Adjustment Layer, Channel Mixer.   Then be sure to check
the Monochrome button on the bottom.  At this point you have control over the Red, Green and Blue.

The default of this layer will be Red 100%, Green 0% and Blue 0%.   At this point you can move the sliders to make the photo to your liking.  When moving the slider to a negative number this will make it darker, to the positive side will make it lighter.  You want to try and have all 3 color percentages add up to 100% if it is higher the image will be brighter, less than a 100% images will be darker.

After I get the look I am going for I add another New Adjustment Layer, Brightness and Contrast.  Again, just play with these until you get the feel you want.  Save your image as a .psd file, this will allow you to come back and change any of the adjustments you made.  To post or print the image save a copy as a .jpg file.

Have fun with this and see how you can turn your color pics into fabulous black and white images.

Go out and take a Picture!

Happy Shooting,

Renee


Visit my website www.photos-by-renee.com 

All Prints are for sale and make great gifts! 

If you would like to receive my newsletter please click here

Have a question, drop me an email and it may be posted in the next blog renee@photos-by-renee.com

Turning Color Photos into Black & White

Creating Black & White images is so easy with the new digital camera's.  I love the look and feel of black and white photos they give me a feeling of mystery and drama.

All camera's today allow you to take a photo in black and white, the problem I have is sometimes I want the photo in both color and black and white or there are times that after taking a color photo I realize that it makes more of a statement in black and white.

So I shoot my photos in color and turn them into black & white images afterwards.  When looking for good opportunities to have great black & white prints look for scenes that have a lot of different colors this allows for the different shades of grey when you convert it.  Also rainy days and overcast days make great black & white prints.

Next time I will discuss methods in creating your black and white images....in the meantime

Go out and take a Picture!


Happy Shooting.

Renee

Visit my website www.photos-by-renee.com

All Prints are for sale and make great gifts!

If you would like to receive my newsletter please click here

Have a question, drop me an email and it may be posted in the next blog

renee@photos-by-renee.com

Sunrise, Sunset

Happy New Year!  I hope you had a great holiday and took a lot of pictures.

This is the time of the year when I love to photograph sunrises and sunsets.  The main reason is because the sun rises later and sets earlier in the winter than in the summer months.   Allowing me not to have to wake up too early or go to bed too late.

This is one photograph that is easy to do and brings a lot of pleasure.  In most cases I would say put your
camera in Auto and shoot away.  Be sure to photograph the different stages of the sunrise or sunset for the light changes quickly.  Also try to add some interesting component to the photo (a boat, bird, surfer, etc.)  That is the easiest way - no big tip other than to get out there and click.

Now if you want to add your own personal touch try the following technique:

1)  Set your camera in Aperture Mode (this mode allows you to control the f stops on your camera - if you are not sure what that means you can still proceed).  Set your aperture to f 5.6

2)  Take a picture

3)  Review the photo you just took and observe what the shutter speed was in that photo.  In Aperture Mode you control the aperture setting and the camera sets the shutter speed.  You can find this information by reviewing your photo

4) Now set your camera in Manual Mode -- don't panic!  Set your Aperture to f 5.6 and take the shutter speed from the last photo and double it (if it was 125 set it now at 250).  Set your ISO to no higher than 400.

5)  Take another picture!  Your photo should have a lot more richness of color.  By doubling the shutter speed we let in less light making the photo more dramatic.

6)  Use this technique with different Aperture settings and remember to have fun.

Go out and take a Picture!


Happy Shooting.

Renee

Visit my website www.photos-by-renee.com

All Prints are for sale and make great gifts!

If you would like to receive my newsletter please click here

Have a question, drop me an email and it may be posted in the next blog

renee@photos-by-renee.com