Color or b/w?

B

Bill W

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This is a very naive question. I really enjoy b/w photography (though I'm not a very good photographer). I recently got an X-E2, and when I want to shoot b/w , I set the film simulation to one of the b/w modes. I generally shoot RAW+JPEG, though usually the JPEG image is good enough for my purposes, which aren't very advanced.

I'm wondering what are the advantages to shooting a RAW image, converting it to a color JPEG image and then desaturating in post-processing, as opposed to simply using the b/w JPEG out of the camera. And should I set the screen to a color simulation to view the scene in color and then desaturate the captured image, or should I view the scene in b/w? What do more experienced photographers do?
 
Shooting in RAW allows color processing and fine-tuning of contrast and sharpness. You can, for example, "save" over-exposed or under-exposed images.

If you're happy with the jpegs, then there's no need to care too much about the raws.
 
Raw gives u more latitude as Victor has mentioned. If u are happy w/ jpgs for the most part.. That is fine. There are enough people in the forum that just shoot in jpg w/ the Fuji cameras. It is one of the best jpg engines out there. If u don't mind a compromise that uses more sd card space, u can shoot jpg+raw. U are already doing this, so is issue u have the space it is eating up? That way u have a fall back when u need it. Shooting b&w jpg also means u are stuck w/ b&w. Later u may decide the picture works better in color. The raw still has all the color info.

Personally, I like viewing the final look in the evf. It tells me if it is going to work the way I think it will.

Gary
 
there are many ways to create b/w image other than a desaturation slider. Manipulating different color channels produce different b/w output that you might have missed if you are shooting b/w mode out of camera. So I personally suggest shoot color and process from that. Jpg seems to have enough latitude and cater for most needs.
 
A fun thing about (film) bw photography is using colour filters to adjust the tones. With digital you can get similar effects by shooting RAW and playing with the colour channels in post processing.

But as you've mentioned, Fuji's jpegs out of camera are very good. No need to play around with RAW files if you're already getting what you like.
 
Just one suggestion - if you do decide to post-process to create your b&w versions, either do the color channel manipulations as part of raw conversion, or convert to an intermediate 16-bit TIF file for this step. When you are satisfied, you can always convert to JPG and toss the TIF files (which are rather large) if that is your choice. Personally I keep the TIFs - you can get a 3-terabyte drive these days for little more than $100.
 
Color AND B/W

Color AND B/W

Hi Bill, since you own an E-2 you can also use "film simulation bracketing" where the JPEG engine produces 3 separate pictures in one shot. f.e. Provia, Velvia and B/W with Yellow filter without fiddling with RAW processing at all.

Good luck!
 
Bill, since you asked what others do, I always shoot raw only. I set my picture mode to B&W so I see a grayscale image. My understanding is that Fuji B&W jpegs are among the best available, but raw's greater latitude comes in handy for bad exposures, lifting detail out of shadows and highlights, and color channel adjustments. I enjoy post-processing and welcome the greater flexibility of raw.

I think you'll find jpeg fine for most cases, but once you try to correct a significant problem, its limitations will become apparent.

John
 
Look at the Fuji in-camera RAF-to-JPG converter. There is a raw conversion menu that is very nice to get variations of JPG's (color and B&W, with differences in highlight/shadows or film choice or push/pull processing) from the untouched RAF file.
This really is a powerful and easy conversion process. Well worth investigating.
 
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