B&W Cub

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 7, 2011137 views11 comments

Black and White, I know, is not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’. Personally I did not have much affinity with it a few years ago either, but I have learned to appreciate it and realized the creative potential it offers. Converting an image to B&W is much more than just desaturating the colors; it in fact opens up a whole new world of creativity.

Particularly images that do not work very well in colour (mostly due to dull lighting conditions) are generally good candidates for B&W conversions as they have scope for contrast and detail enhancements that would not suit the color version at all.
Software packages such as Topaz B&W and Nik Silver Efex are great tools that offer presets that can provide good starting points for a conversion to your liking. Also Photoshop itself has an excellent in-built B&W conversion function. I have used all 3 depending on what I wanted to achieve. For this one I used Topaz.

Hungry Lion Cub refusing to follow mom any further, Savute, Botswana.
Camera Model Canon EOS 1D Mark IV
Shutter Speed 1/400 Sec.
Aperture Value f/5.6
ISO Speed 1250
Lens EF500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4xTC
FF

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on December 8, 2011 at 2:24 AM

Incredible detail on the eye and the face ! With all the sharp transitions on the body either not showing or out of focus, all the attention is on the face

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on December 8, 2011 at 8:47 AM

I like the pose Vincent, even the fact that it has cut through part of the body, as the stance of the cub can take it, however I do feel it's rather too contrasty, with the blacks dominating a lot of the detail ie around the eye, within the mouth/gum area and nose. Perhaps easing off a tad, opening some of the areas up and some select sharpening may bring some of the finer detail through.

Totally agree about PS & B/W, so many just use the presets in NIK and think they have created a masterpiece with no fine adjustments or consideration to the end result. Have you considered a TRITONE of this with Cool/Warm greys?

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on December 8, 2011 at 10:35 AM

Hi Steve, thanks for pointing out that the dark blacks could be opened up a bit, I'll certainly fix that. As for toning I must say that I am not too fond of that, but that might change

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on December 8, 2011 at 10:50 AM

I am having a B&W revelation myself as well. I never cared much for B&W until being exposed to Nik Silver Efex. Now I enjoying learning the process of making a good B&W image (as opposed to just a conversion).

Now as for this photo, I really like how the B&W shows off the expression on this cub's face, but I agree with Steve that the blacks could be opened up a bit.

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by Clinton Bauder on December 8, 2011 at 7:00 PM

Hi Vincent,

I like this image but agree that maybe the B&W conversion is a bit harsh, especially on the nose which almost looks injured in this version. I might wish for a little more room on the right too. Cute little guy though and I think the image has lots of potential. I think you're on the right track with B&W for this one as I suspect with a tan lion on a tan background it wouldn't pop nearly as much in color.

Clinton

Clinton

Registered on December 8, 2009, 31 Posts, 231 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on December 8, 2011 at 7:06 PM

A good BW conversion is much more difficult than simply using the color original. Maybe that's why we see so few BW images.

I like your effort here, but I agree that the contrast is a bit harsh and the blacks too dominant.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on December 9, 2011 at 5:11 PM

I agree that B&W opens up a whole new world when we begin to properly understand it (will we ever fully grasp it??

).
I like the detail here, and the crop works okay for me. I like my images more contrasty than most, but do agree that you can open up the blacks a smidge here...

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Oscar Benavides on December 9, 2011 at 6:16 PM

Hi Vincent. Like Anand said I like how you isolated the sharp head.
I agree about the contrast is a bit harsh.
Oscar

Registered on January 2, 2011, 12 Posts, 141 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on December 10, 2011 at 5:42 AM

Steve was so kind to offer doing a B&W conversion of this images and this is the result. Thank you for the effort Steve.

I actually thought you would come up with a tritone.

Lots of detail in your version, particularly in the blacks. Personally I think that the best solution would be somewhere in-between yours & mine. But all these things are obviously very subjective. Thanks again.

Cheers

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on December 10, 2011 at 10:48 AM

They are sitting in your in box, subtle I know, but then i guess it comes down to personal taste and the direction the authors wishes to take to express the image in how they see it.

All good stuff Vincent and food for thought.

BTW You didn't bump into a guy called Grant whilst you were there?

cheers
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on December 14, 2011 at 7:22 AM

Excellent detail and I'm immediately drawn to this cute cub's bright eyes...absolutely love it! I do, however, prefer the update - could maybe do with a tìny bit more contrast, but definitely better (for me) than the original.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments