One of the suggestions I received as another approach to high-key shots was to convert the picture in the camera (that is to shoot it in black and white from the start). I was in Stroudsburg today for my chiropractor appointment and saw this building. I liked the symmetry of the two doors and windows. I had my little point and shoot with me and as I was searching for the black and white setting, I found one called "light colors" and assumed it would be similar to a high key effect. I assumed correctly! Although I still had to convert it to black and white in post processing, I did very little processing otherwise.
That's a cool setting to have, so funny now but a lot of the effects we try to achieve, in my old film days, I considered them all failures, over exposed, double exposure, low light, etc.
Yes, I love symmetrical images as well. I have set my camera to b&w, just so I can see what the image will look like, although I can't leave it alone, but always do something to it in post processing. But since I shoot in RAW and JPeg, the raw shots retain the colour so I get the best of both worlds.
Well done! I never use in camera as I like having all the data to do 'something else' if I decide when I get home. But I think it's a great way for discipline in attending to form, texture, contrast.
@pandorasecho Thanks Dixie! Yes, they used to be "special effects" and were sort of looked down on! Not anymore.
@skstein Thanks Sandy! @louannwarren Thanks Louann! Yes, I confess I like things in place and organized! @salza Thanks Sally! What first caught my eye was the contrast between the shutters and the house- the contrast. I knew it would translate nicely into black and white. @summerfield Thanks Vikki! It doesn't seem to be a problem (although I'm pretty sure this is a rental). Funny thing as I was searching through the settings the occupant of #20 came home. I was hoping she wouldn't be concerned about this lady with a camera getting ready to take a picture of her place! Apparently I look non-threatening enough that she didn't give me a second glance. But I bet you she's wondering if the landlord is going to sell! @nicolecampbell Thanks Nicole! @suesouthwood Thanks Sue! I do have that option with my other two cameras but my computer doesn't seem to like the RAW shots. So I usually shoot in color and then convert. I've had a lot of photographers tell me that's the way to go and I agree. I have to say I have developed a way to see black and white, in color. The two genres seem to sharpen one another for me. @grammyn Thank you Katy! I wouldn't always do it that way, but it was a good exercise for Flash of Red. @cmp Thank you Catherine! It was mostly "in camera". I'll play with that effect again. @taffy Thanks Taffy! I agree- that's usually how I do black and white. And I prefer it because as you said it gives you more to work with. Plus I can also adjust certain parts of the picture more specifically when I convert it as opposed to the camera deciding for me. @twinsplusone Thank you Sharon! @henrir Thank you Henri! Thanks for the suggestion too. I think it worked well with the little point and shoot. May try it with the T3i on another day this month.
@skstein Thanks Sandy!
@louannwarren Thanks Louann! Yes, I confess I like things in place and organized!
@salza Thanks Sally! What first caught my eye was the contrast between the shutters and the house- the contrast. I knew it would translate nicely into black and white.
@summerfield Thanks Vikki! It doesn't seem to be a problem (although I'm pretty sure this is a rental). Funny thing as I was searching through the settings the occupant of #20 came home. I was hoping she wouldn't be concerned about this lady with a camera getting ready to take a picture of her place! Apparently I look non-threatening enough that she didn't give me a second glance. But I bet you she's wondering if the landlord is going to sell!
@nicolecampbell Thanks Nicole!
@suesouthwood Thanks Sue! I do have that option with my other two cameras but my computer doesn't seem to like the RAW shots. So I usually shoot in color and then convert. I've had a lot of photographers tell me that's the way to go and I agree. I have to say I have developed a way to see black and white, in color. The two genres seem to sharpen one another for me.
@grammyn Thank you Katy! I wouldn't always do it that way, but it was a good exercise for Flash of Red.
@cmp Thank you Catherine! It was mostly "in camera". I'll play with that effect again.
@taffy Thanks Taffy! I agree- that's usually how I do black and white. And I prefer it because as you said it gives you more to work with. Plus I can also adjust certain parts of the picture more specifically when I convert it as opposed to the camera deciding for me.
@twinsplusone Thank you Sharon!
@henrir Thank you Henri! Thanks for the suggestion too. I think it worked well with the little point and shoot. May try it with the T3i on another day this month.
Thank you Babs!
Thank you Chris!