Experimenting in black and white

[ncaleffi]

Well, "experimenting" may not be the right word... Usually, when exporting raw files in black and white, I tend to get a very high contrast, whenever possible. This time, I wanted a different (softer?) effect, thus I went with a very low contrast, trying to get a sense of continuity between the ground, sea, landscape and trees, and the sky. If anyone is willing to comment on these, he's welcome. Thanks!

 

[Rogier]

They look over sharpened and "digital" to me.
Overall impression is drab grey...

Sorry, hope this helps.

 

[craygc]

I've been experimenting with digital B&W for the last 6+ months and what I've decided on, which is in the direction you're going, is that if you want more of a B&W film look, then you need to pull the contrast down - and ensure you don't blow your highlights. In LR 4, I find that the included "B&W Contrast Low" filter isn't a bad place to start. Set your black and white points; use the colour sliders to move tonality around; adjust exposure; and potentially add some "Clarity" to boost the mid tone contrast. That's more or less a rough starting point I've come to.

There's a link to what I've been experimenting with in Digi-B&W in my signature, and one thing I'll admit is that some images have had me rework them 4 to 5 times as days or a week later Im not happy with it.

I included this, not so much for the content but I feel its one of the best B&W film feels I've managed so far.

The problem with digital is that the image can be so twisted and distorted that you really need to know where you're trying to get to and when you've arrived there. With B&W film, it doesn't take a lot to have it look pretty good and you certainly know when you've twisted it too far.

 

[ChrisN]

... is that if you want more of a B&W film look,...

I don't think the OP said anything about trying to emulate film. 😉 I like your conversion though.

To the OP, I think you are on the right track, but (on my uncalibrated monitor) these appear to be fairly contrasty still. I'd ease up on the blacks a fair bit still, and shift the midtones up the scale a bit