The original:



my attempt at a black and white version:



I played around with the blue to get the sky how I wanted it, the red to adjust the door on the engine and the green to darken the grass and trees.

C&C and suggestions most welcomed and appreciated.
--
dbh

[devisor]

nice..

but I think you could do better, by adding more contrast to the image.. and maybe a bit filmgrain.

[scott-devon]

I like it, good subject for B&W too. Were you down there on Saturday? I drove by and couldn't believe how crowded the parking lot was.

[Peter Zack]

I like the BW shot but agree that it could use more contrast in some parts of the image. The issue is the vast difference in exposure between the foreground subject and the sky/clouds. So since you asked for C&C I tried something with your shot.

First I used shadow and highlight. 40% on shadow and 60% on highlight. It really flattens and dulls the image. Then went to the channel mixer to get the look below. 68% red 32% green, 28% blue and a slight reduction in constant -5% I think. Then +3 contrast +3 brightness.

---

Last edited by Peter Zack; 07-29-2008 at 05:12 AM.

[dbh]

nice..

but I think you could do better, by adding more contrast to the image.. and maybe a bit filmgrain.

Thanks. I was wondering if I had too much contrast! It definitely looks like a converted digital image. I guess I was hoping for a more nostalgic look, given the subject.

I like it, good subject for B&W too. Were you down there on Saturday? I drove by and couldn't believe how crowded the parking lot was.

About a month ago I signed up for the steam train breakfast which started at the Selkirk Hotel and ended with about a dozen of us climbing all over the train, chatting with the folks who run it and maintain it, and going for a spin in it. Started at 8:30 before the park opened. Loads of fun. I think they are doing it again in August. I highly recommend it - give them a call.

I like the BW shot but agree that it could use more contrast in some parts of the image. The issue is the vast difference in exposure between the foreground subject and the sky/clouds. So since you asked for C&C I tried something with your shot.

First I used shadow and highlight. 40% on shadow and 60% on highlight. It really flattens and dulls the image. Then went to the channel mixer to get the look below. 68% red 32% green, 28% blue and a slight reduction in constant -5% I think. Then +3 contrast +3 brightness.
Attachment 16093

Hey, subtle but better I think. I see more contrast in the sky but less in parts of the engine. I like how the trees at the back look better in your version as well.
I wasn't paying a lot of attention to the sky and considered cropping some of it at one point.

This was kind of fun, although I don't think I'll end up doing a whole lot of it. I just like colour too much!

Now I'm thinking of adding some blur and grain and a tinge of sepia...
--
dbh - that park has to be the city's best kept secret.

[deejjjaaaa]

I guess I was hoping for a more nostalgic look.

[maxwell1295]

It's amazing how a relatively ordinary color shot can look amazing after a B&W converson. I tend to do that with quite a few of my shots.....probably because a lot of my shots are ordinary!