Converting jpegs to B&W best technique?

[Rurouni]

Hi,

Am currently trying to figure out the best way to convert jpegs to b&w, its quite hard though to get the output that you'd normally get from a roll of Ilford..

Any diff between the technique described here:
http://www.slower.net/slowerlog/2004/09/bw-conversion.php

and using desaturate in photoshop? I appear to be obtaining quite close results though one is much more elaborate in the steps than the other...

Any other tips???

 

[pshing]

desaturate cant tell u the different in color, it mainly focus on brightness if i am not wrong.
the more complicated method allow u to present the different of color in b&w, more like b&w film does (but still, b&w film is the best for b&w picture).

for eg. i have red and green in same brightness, desaturate will present both as same grey level, but the channel mixer way would present different grey level.

not sure if i am correct, wish anyone would share ~^^

 

[nightwolf75]

desaturate, IIRC, only changes ur pic to greyscale.

for fuss-free BnW conversion, u can try http://www.optikvervelabs.com/ just download all the various plugins and u can experiment urself. quite user-friendly.

but, still can't beat the quality of true BnW film. i compared the printouts from 2 methods. film still :thumbsup: the optik verve plugins are a quick & easy substitute.

 

[Rurouni]

Agreed, digital is not optimal for B&W... but its really convenient way to archive without scanning...

Will try out the link, thanks for the tips!

 

[jcryan55]

John Cosgrove will be giving a talk at the Circle of Light Gathering on 20 March on this topic. U may like to attend. Pls sign up at the following thread if u r keen .

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=119090