This image marks my first step in learning more about black and white photography (thanks to the Flash of Red February theme hosted by Ann @olivetreeann).
After downloading the book last week and reading the first two chapters, I snapped some images around the house. All lacked what the author described as good tonal range and tonal contrast, so I took a ride and thankfully discovered these snowy hay bales.
This image produced the desired histogram with a u-shape indicating decent tonal range and tonal contrast; and a check of my camera’s highlight warnings indicated all was well there. I had an image I could work with.
I chose to shoot in color and in RAW and to convert to black and white in Lightroom using the desaturation slider. I tweaked contrast, highlights, shadows, whites, and blacks to create a histogram more like the author’s description of one with better tonal range and tonal contrast (although I couldn’t get quite what I wanted).
I like the composition and the elements of texture and shape; and while I like the juxtaposition of the round hay bales against the straight lines of the trees, something tells me I’d like the shot better if the trees were blurred a bit more. Doing that, however, would have reduced the tonal range and tonal contrast and thrown off the histogram shape I was aiming for.
I learned a lot from this process, including that I like photography much more when evaluating a shot based on how it makes me feel rather than by histograms, highlight warnings, and the like. I’m hopeful that this month of practice will have me making better pictures more instinctually.
We must be on the same wavelength today, Janet. I put up bales of hay, too. This is a great B&W shot. Love it. Your processing worked well. I've never had much luck with the histogram in Lightroom either and just edit on how I want the finished product to look.
I really love your comp and pov and the lovely textures in this Janet. I also like photographs that make me feel something, and this makes me feel joy in the simple beauty of what you've captured, and the feeling (important to me) that everything is in the right place. Of course the techniques you discuss help to create that beauty! Fav for me.
@mittens Your hay bales with that blue sky behind them are beautiful! Such a pretty view in the distance, too. Yes, we are on the same wavelength with our snowy bales of hay! :-)
Thank you for commenting on mine. I'm fairly new to editing; and until this shot, I've edited based on feel. The book being used for the Flash of Red February theme teaches how to evaluate in different ways, and I'm excited to learn. I'm not crazy about paying attention to every technical detail, but I know it will get easier and more instinctual with time and effort. Here's to a black and white February! :-)
@tristansmum Thank you so much for your comment and fav, Stephanie! I'm happy you like my snowy hay bales. :-) I tried for more contrast between lights and darks, but this is the best I could get; and I'm happy with it and the feeling it gives me. This month is going to be challenging, and I'm excited to learn. I really appreciate your feedback!
Really good, you are getting way too technical for me - histograms? I've seen them on my camera but have no idea what they are or how to use them. So impressed with your knowledge and how to use it. Fav
I like your shot and I also like your comment about evaluating a shot on how it makes you feel - for me photography is more about emotion than technique although this too is really important!
@lhart Such a kind comment, Lynne. Thank you! Capturing black and white images for the Flash of Red February theme will be quite challenging for me as I try to keep my focus on capturing scenes that are meaningful to me rather than just choosing a scene because it would make a great black and white image. Thanks for the fav, too! :-)
You really started off nicely, Janet - good subject (I shot some today, too - but haven't worked out the editing part to my satisfaction - like you, I've been used to going by feel) You gave me another good summary of those two chapters - between you and Ann @olivetreeann I'm starting to understand what they think a b&w should be. Don't know as I'll always match it. Quite impressed with what you've done.
@milaniet Thanks so much, Milanie! You are so kind! I wish the sun would have peeked out to create some interesting light and shadow in my image; but as the saying goes, it is what it is. :-) I have to tell you that I looked at your image on black after I typed my comment, and it was even more special. The beautiful light really came to life! You're off to a great start!
I think it's a good first step and I just want to encourage you to not feel bound by the histogram. If you go back to the discussion page, you'll see a couple comments by Frank Hymus and Lyn Todd that put a different perspective on when and when not to use them. In chapter 3 which I just started reading today, the author is less adamant about having that U shaped histogram as he was in the second chapter. So only use that as a starting point. You may "feel" that you like the shot a little darker or a little lighter and as the artist, you call the shots. But I applaud you- I took some shots today but didn't tweak them as nearly as detailed as you did!
@milaniet The same goes for you too Milanie. Don't feel boxed-in by the definitions or someone else's work. The information in the book is a starting point. But you can work in black and white in the way you like it best. Sometimes that may result in something different and that's ok. I'm sure it will be fine!
@olivetreeann Thank you, Ann! Yes, I'll use the u-shape as just a guideline going forward; but for this first step, I wanted to see what the author's definition of ideal would look like. For me, exploring the u-shaped histogram was a good introduction to studying black and white. This is a fun albeit challenging learning process, and I'm thankful for all the work you've put into managing the theme. Onward! :-)
Thank you for commenting on mine. I'm fairly new to editing; and until this shot, I've edited based on feel. The book being used for the Flash of Red February theme teaches how to evaluate in different ways, and I'm excited to learn. I'm not crazy about paying attention to every technical detail, but I know it will get easier and more instinctual with time and effort. Here's to a black and white February! :-)
@milaniet The same goes for you too Milanie. Don't feel boxed-in by the definitions or someone else's work. The information in the book is a starting point. But you can work in black and white in the way you like it best. Sometimes that may result in something different and that's ok. I'm sure it will be fine!