B&W "Impact" Critique Please

[LocoDuck]

Hello all,
stumbled onto this site a month ago when I was looking into an R-D1. Anywho, it has been a wonderful resource, and I'm looking for help.

I have felt like something was lacking from my recent B&W conversions. I just don't "feel" much from my images after they have been converted. I loved to shoot B&W when I used to have access to a darkroom, but now in the digital relm, my B&W "technique" seems to be leaving something to be desired.

Here are two recent conversions, which I was hoping would have better "impact" in B&W. I would enjoy any feedback your willing to give. Thanks,
-Eric

 

[Ducky]

IMHO you got # two right. Clear tonal definition and depth. # one is a bit flat. What software did you convert with?

LOCODUCK? Maybe we're related?

 

[nikon_sam]

The problem you might be experiencing is this...You're converting a photo seen in color (and taken in color)...but NOT seen in B&W while taking it...
Next time THINK in B&W while shooting THEN convert it...

 

[LocoDuck]

Thanks Ducky,
Maybe long ago there was a common Duck in our history.

I have just been converting with LightRoom. I don't really like the idea of having to use multiple programs for different actions. I've been trying to stream-line my work flow in order to make the actual photography more enjoyable.

I do agree with you on that first one... there is a "unintresting" tone about the image.

EDIT: Thanks for the input N_Sam. Without B&W film in the camera, I have lost touch with the concept of seeing the world through grayscale lenses. Perhaps the slightly slower, more meticulious process of shooting with the R-D1 will help me here.

 

[sebastel]

maybe this can help getting the "feel" for B&W again on location.

set the R-D1 to store both JPEG and RAW files, and turn on the black&white mode. this way, you keep the full colour information (which may be helpful for manual B&W conversion) in the RAW file, and you can at the same time review your pics in B&W on the rear display.

as for my experience, the R-D1 creates rather nice B&W conversions "out of the box". at least worth a try!

cheers,
sebastian

 

[einolu]

sell your rd1, buy a good scanner + rangefinder, start developing your own bw? ;-)

 

[shadowfox]

Eric, I think the reason #1 is flat is because everything is sharp in that picture, foreground, background, everything. You may want to experiment with ND filters that will allow you to open the aperture bigger even in bright daylight to fuzz out the background a bit.

Just a thought.