How do you shoot b&w?
Do you use an BW film or do you shoot color film and then convert the pics to bw digital? And why do you use one or the other method?
I myself mostly shoot color just because it is a cost thing...

Well that is an excellent question and after I state my answer I am sure the may be some debate. :)

I personally shoot color then convert to black and white via photoshop.

My reasoning for this is:

1) I get better results for tonal range and value range.
2) I have far more control over the final image
3) I dont have a dark room so I have to rely on commercial processing which has never been satisfactory even if I ask for specific things (bump contrast etc,).
4) Sometimes the pic looks really unique in color, and would not have expected it...so I keep it color. Had I shot it in BW I wouldnt have that option.

So there you go.

Note: Even when I had access to a dark room in college I still occasionaly did BW prints using color negs. ;)

Black and White Film

I agree with Chris on this one mainly because of his 4th reason. Black and white film, from what I've read, offers more noise and tighter grain though. It's up to you. If cost is the killer, go colour.

Lazy graphic design types typically shoot on color and use digital alteration to create BW (you need a flame smiley SD.) If you're serious about BW then learn the Zone system..to do that you need to shoot film and print.

Problem with the Zone system is if you cant develop your own negs its not really useful.

Actually that's not true. The only way to use the zone system is to develop your own negatives. You shoot the image over or under exposing depending on your zone, then when developing your over or under develop the negative. I've got some great articles on the zone system...I could compile them into a tutorial if you like.

Actually that's not true. The only way to use the zone system is to develop your own negatives. You shoot the image over or under exposing depending on your zone, then when developing your over or under develop the negative. I've got some great articles on the zone system...I could compile them into a tutorial if you like.

Like I said, its not really usefull unless you can develop your own negagtives. :)

I actually am familiar with the zone system, we touched on it a bit in college, unfortunately we didnt spend enough time on it. I do have some reading from Ansel Adams on the subject, his series "The Camera, The Negative, and The Print" :)

[QUOTE=Steeldolphin]Like I said, its not really usefull unless you can develop your own negagtives. :)

Sorry SD...I skipped all the two letter words.
:wink3:

:grin2:

Hey greg maybe you could post some of those articles/tut when you get a chance. We could make the post sticky here in the photo forum :) I think it would be handy as a reference.

...Ansel Adams...
:grinning: :bowdown:

you might like this guy too, I also posted this in Insperation

http://www.woodywalters.com

Black and white plugin for Photoshop to convert colour images to black and white.


http://www.fredmiranda.com/shopping/BW