The Importance of a Custom Black and White Conversion

I know a lot of people wonder why I don't suggest they do any automatic black and white conversions, so let me explain.  Not only is it illegal to alter a copyrighted photograph in any way, the automatic black and white conversions that photo software or printing labs do is simply of poor quality.  Automatic black and white conversions made by photo software on your computer and printing labs simply convert a color image into a grayscale image.  Images converted this way appear very dull and flat-looking.  A good true black and white image needs to have just that--true, dark, rich blacks and true, bright, clean whites.  This is easily accomplished with a RAW image file by adjusting the tone curves.  Additionally, every image is unique and requires a different amount of adjustments to produce a satisfactory black and white image.

Automatic conversion on top, Custom conversion on bottom.

Automatic Conversion                                                                                     Custom Black and White Conversion

Notice how the custom conversions make the eyes really pop and sparkle.  There's more depth and texture when properly converted.

The Power of a Bounced Flash

Have you ever stopped to think what the flash on your camera is really doing?  Yes, it's providing extra light to help your camera record an image.  But really, flashes are very similar to holding up a flashlight and shining it directly on your subject's face.  Redirecting the flash to "bounce" off a ceiling or white walls can produce much more natural results.  Here are some examples of how a bounced flash can improve image quality.  These images were taken in a rather dim room where shooting without a flash would not have given good results.  You can tell how the bounced flash creates a more natural lighting on the subject.  If you don't have a flash that is able to be redirected, get creative with white index cards or foil to create your own Lightscoop, avoiding a direct flash on your subject.  A great big thank you to Annie's doll for posing for these shots.  My usual models were either at school or too busy watching TV to cooperate!

                                  Taken with a bounced flash.                                                Taken with a direct flash.

The top image was taken with direct flash.  The bottom image was taken by bouncing the flash.

Just For Fun!

Project 365: Fall

Another theme I'm playing catch-up on is Fall.  Fortunately, I took some fall shots before the winter hit.

Project 365: Trees

Because of my daughter's health issues, I've had to temporarily set aside the Project 365 challenge.  But now I am finally back--not fully in the swing of things yet, but trying to get there.  When my daughter was first hospitalized in mid-October, I was in the process of working on the current theme for that week, which was Trees.  I had all the shots on my camera, but hadn't yet gotten to the processing until just now.  So, better late than never, here are my shots from that week.  I intend to gradually catch-up on all the themes I missed the last several weeks, but I'm not sure if I'll make it or not!  But it feels great to ditch my point-and-shoot that I was using in the hospital, pull out my SLR again and flip it to full manual mode!

Cara + Barry {Family}