Several weeks ago I found (or she found me????) a wonderful blogger whom I have been enjoying very much. Christina, of Momology, is a wonderful mother of a beautiful little honey. Like myself, she is having a really fun time pairing photography and motherhood. This photo is one of my favorites of her's....and possibly one of my favorite photos I have seen in months. If the voting is still going on...please head on over and vote for her.
While perusing her blog, I found her photo shop tutorials. Although we edit a bit differently, I found it fun to see how she accomplishes her "look". I was really please to read about her method of converting from color to black and white. You might have noticed that you have never seen a black and white photo on my blog. It isn't that I don't like black and white....in fact, I really love it.....in other people's pictures. You see....for some reason I have struggled with loving MY photos in black and white. I have floundered in the pool of conversions, and I have come up for air each time giving up. sigh.......I don't like giving up....on ANYTHING.
After trying out Christina's conversion method, I was determined to make it work for me. I tweaked it a bit....and I played and played, and even though I am not certain I have hit the nail on the head just yet.....the following photos are closer than I have ever been to be satisfied with my black and whites. I think I have some high standards for black and white photographs. Most I see out there on the net are flat to me....to much grey. I like contrast. I like depth. I am hoping to achieve it.
What do you think? Am I getting there? Tell the truth. I understand VERY well, that everyone has their opinions on any sort of photography, but I do think black and white is especially "to each his own". These particular photos where taken last summer. I love all her expressions....and so far they are my favorite shots I have converted.....but.....
...don't you miss those BLUE eyes?
While perusing her blog, I found her photo shop tutorials. Although we edit a bit differently, I found it fun to see how she accomplishes her "look". I was really please to read about her method of converting from color to black and white. You might have noticed that you have never seen a black and white photo on my blog. It isn't that I don't like black and white....in fact, I really love it.....in other people's pictures. You see....for some reason I have struggled with loving MY photos in black and white. I have floundered in the pool of conversions, and I have come up for air each time giving up. sigh.......I don't like giving up....on ANYTHING.
After trying out Christina's conversion method, I was determined to make it work for me. I tweaked it a bit....and I played and played, and even though I am not certain I have hit the nail on the head just yet.....the following photos are closer than I have ever been to be satisfied with my black and whites. I think I have some high standards for black and white photographs. Most I see out there on the net are flat to me....to much grey. I like contrast. I like depth. I am hoping to achieve it.
What do you think? Am I getting there? Tell the truth. I understand VERY well, that everyone has their opinions on any sort of photography, but I do think black and white is especially "to each his own". These particular photos where taken last summer. I love all her expressions....and so far they are my favorite shots I have converted.....but.....
...don't you miss those BLUE eyes?
23 Live It or Love It:
Isn't she fantastic, I also love/stalk her!
Corey, I love the second one especially, those eyes still look stunning even if they're not blue. You are so good. And I voted for your friend. Votes close today at 5pm. I love her picture, it''s adorable.
I love the B/W photos! I read once that the only reason you should have color in a photo is if that color adds to the moment and the picture is lost without it, i.e. a sunset. I don't go by that philosophy, but it is an interesting thing to think about.
I love b&w photography... These are really pretty good. Maybe just the tiniest bit overblown highlights, but they don't really distract or detract.
I do miss her blue eyes... I'd like to see one where you leave just her eyes colored... call it an experiment ;-)
Hi Corey, thanks for visiting my blog!
I usually stick to b&w's in the winter. Somehow I have such a hard time seeing things in b&w when the beautiful colors in summer yearn to be photographed. :)Of course, sometimes color distracts from the focus of the subject and then those get turned, too.
I agree...I see way to many muddy/gray b&w conversions. I need mine to have contrast, although it takes some erasing in layers in PS because the whites always like to blow in high contrast conversions.
Your daughter is adorable, too!
I like the second picture, Corey. I do miss the blue eyes, but why not color those back in just for fun? Would be cool to see and maybe her pink lips also? Would be very artsie. Have fun!
I love black and white! So classy :) adorable pics!
You did a great job with the b/w - you can tell how gorgeous Sugar's eyes are even without the blue. But I do miss it too! ;)
I love the 2nd one and the 5th one - the balance of the grays seems to work out better on those two and there's not so much 'glare'. :)
I think they look great! Of course, a picture of Sugar can't be anything but cute!
Lovely photos but yes, I do miss those blue eyes of hers!
A wonderful series : )
I'm such an amateur that I wouldn't even pretend to comment on your processing talents, Corey -- other than to say that your photos have a habit of taking my breath away and tucking a smile in my heart :)
Hey, I just read your blog on cre8buzz. I have been contemplating the exact same thing! It definitely gets to be too much. Today was the first time I've logged in over there in over 2 weeks. Just keeping up with life right now has been kicking my butt. I have a feeling that I may soon join you in deleting my account there. Catch you soon!
Corey! Wow, you are the best! Thank you so much for your sweet words and linky love!
I am pretty picky about my b&w conversions, too - I want a lot of depth and contrast, I want BLACK & WHITE not just shades of gray. A lot of b&ws look muddy to me. So I stayed away from b&w conversions until I discovered gradient maps, and that helps a lot. It still doesn't work on every picture of course, but I actually use it to save pics with a color cast that I just can't fix. I'd love to hear how you tweaked the process to fit you, and more about your processing methods in general.
Anyway, I think these look good. Sugar is just too cute. I love #2 and 5 especially. Did you try bumping the levels a bit??
okay here's the weird bit. i like black and white photos, but i can't bear to do them myself because i think "but there's no colour! it needs colour! let's just colour this in."
but i love looking at other people's. and yours ROCK. :) :) :)
sugar looks so sophisticated.
Wonderful photos... your b/ws are stunning.
I do miss her blue eyes. I go back and forth with BW, Sepia, Color and monochromatic as my favorite.
I love the photos, the second one is my favorite with her expression. You probably don't like b/w on your photos because of her beautiful eyes, you lose that beautiful color. I like your photos both in color and b/w.
You have such wonderful photos. Wish I had that kind of time...
You have such wonderful photos. Wish I had that kind of time...
Hey Corey. Great photos of Sugar. But you wanted honesty, so... I'm not in love with all of these conversions. #2 and #5 are the best - still silky. I'm not exactly sure what you did, but I think you pushed a bit too hard on the contrast in the rest and ended up with Sugar's skin looking a little splotchy. Try playing more with the levels and the shadows, and not so much with the contrast. It's tricky! I can't get the b&w right either (hence none posted on my blog) but keep working on it.
Thanks for leading me to Christina's blog. Love her photos.
And yes... I miss her blue eyes.
I could anyone NOT love them! Those are frameable! I can see them all in one, black frame....like a series!!! If you miss her blue eyese, have you tried leaving them black and white and bringing out only the blue in her eyes?
I think you did a great job on converting those to B&W!
I will admit, I like your color photos better. But, maybe you can add a little bit of color? Like just the blue eyes or a little bit of color on her cheeks?
Now, don't ask me how to do it -- but I do miss her blue eyes and the black and white just don't do your photo abilities justice!
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