DPP Part 3 - Black and White - Exercise 3 Colours into Tones 2

DPP Part 3 - Black and White - Exercise 3 Colours into Tones 2

The aim of this exercise is to make practical use of channel adjustment to achieve a specific effect.

I have chosen the following target:

A landscape in which I emphasise the depth (aerial perspective) by strengthening the visual effect of haze.

Starting Position

Basic Black and White Conversion using CS6

Basic Adjustment then Converted to Black and White Using Silver Efex Pro 2

I've used an SEP2 preset called "Full Dynamic Sharp" and darkened blue

In this final image much more depth has been created within the image and the tones within the sky making this appear much more dramatic. This is slightly reminiscent of Michael Kenna's image where he has dramatised the sky, see below, and this is reflected in his position of the horizon within the frame so that the sky is the dominant element:

Exercise Learning's

a) Default conversion of an image into black and white will not do the image justice and far more detail can be extracted with careful and considered use of the channel mixer

b) Colour plays an important part in black and white and adjusting can make a significant change to a black and white image changing tone contrast and texture. 

c) Filters in black and white can also play a significant part. This was slightly explored in TAOP where I posted about filters in black and white using a single image of 3 peppers

d) From the bottom 2 images added drama within cloud formation can be brought out evoking the emotion of the viewer perhaps in the equivalent way it was seen and captured by the photographer