[chickadee]

my first attempt going greyscale method, cropped right side as distraction.Should of had more room on left side ,plus could do without light from window above right shoulder.Just have to experiment more with ps

appreciate your thoughts

[stepheno]

A lovely shot - expression, hair, big eyes But I think the composition has fallen between two stools - I would have either gone in closeer which would also take out the right hand clutter or come out so as to get all the boys head in. Maybe a touch more focus on the eyes and more contrast. But hey....if that's your boy you ought to be pleased with the shot.

[Dabhand16]

I go along with what Stepheno said. It's a great shot. I like the tight crop and the highlights on the LHS. I would not have gone further in the crop.

I would have burnt in the highlight on the RHS a little, and upped the contrast a bit.

[chickadee]

Originally Posted by stepheno

A lovely shot - expression, hair, big eyes But I think the composition has fallen between two stools - I would have either gone in closeer which would also take out the right hand clutter or come out so as to get all the boys head in. Maybe a touch more focus on the eyes and more contrast. But hey....if that's your boy you ought to be pleased with the shot.

thanks for comment ,i will put my closer one in the photo sharing (give me 30 mins) the only thing with the next one is I think it might be wrong angle i took it as you can see up his nose and no he isnt mine this is one of wills adorable grandchildren again i appreciate your input

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

I go along with what Stepheno said. It's a great shot. I like the tight crop and the highlights on the LHS. I would not have gone further in the crop.

I would have burnt in the highlight on the RHS a little, and upped the contrast a bit.

thanks for your comment ,unfortunately i have to learn all these things like burn in highlights am uploading a closer pic in share photos in short while ,love your input on that as well if you dont mind

[skipper954]

Hi Chick

My major problem with this image is the flatness of the really good looking little guy. A good mono image should have a range from good whites to deep blacks, and the fellows face is pretty much all one tone.

I think that is what everyone is talking about when they mention contrast.

I like the highlight on our left, but the patch of white on the right, as you said, is distracting.

skip

[chickadee]

Originally Posted by skipper954

Hi Chick

My major problem with this image is the flatness of the really good looking little guy. A good mono image should have a range from good whites to deep blacks, and the fellows face in pretty much all one tone.

I think that is what everyone is talking about when they mention contrast.

I like the highlight on our left, but the patch of white on the right, as you said, is distracting.

skip

thanks skip ,as i stated it is my first attempt of converting to b/w , could do with your assistant as to explain to me what you mean by flat? also is their any chance of you adjusting this image to show me the good white and deep black look .... as this is all new to me and i need all the help i can get , and if i have your version its easier to compare the 2 images in order for better understanding.Really do appreciate it.

[skipper954]

Originally Posted by chickadee

to explain to me what you mean by flat? also is their any chance of you adjusting this image to show me the good white and deep black look .... as this is all new to me and i need all the help i can get , and if i have your version its easier to compare the 2 images in order for better understanding.Really do appreciate it.

Well, what I mean by flat is that there isn't a range of tones. Tyson's face is pretty much one shade of gray.

I tried to improve the image, and thought that I had a bit by using levels and curves and a bit of burning, but when I uploaded it, it looked pretty much like yours.

So, perhaps this image might be better as a color image.

But it may also have been improved by using a different technique to convert to mono.

There are several very good tutorials here about that conversion.

So enjoy the hundreds of hours you will spend in front of the monitor

skip

[stepheno]

I adjusted the levels and contrast a touch. On looking a this again I notice that you do have focus down the left hand side - his cheek eyelashes and hair.

[chickadee]

thanks stepheno, so it is ok to go this dark then? would appreciate your opinion on different shot i did closer up ,its in photo sharing.However tried my hand at trying to get rid of bright light on right of pic in photo sharing , my attempt is very noticeable ,but due to my lighting prob had with the image ,it was to difficult for me , but i loved the look ,again it would need help on what i could of done if you dont mind.Once again am grateful for your much needed assistance.

[stepheno]

Hi Chickadee - bear in mind your monitor may be set up differently so your comment about "this dark" is a bit unsure. With mono you really need to try to get a range of tones from black through to white and then you will avoid the term "flat" which some people use. In this shot although it appears darker there is a good contrasting white down the let hand side.

I'll have a look at the the one now.

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by chickadee

thanks stepheno, so it is ok to go this dark then?

If you think this is dark, then as Stephano said, you might need to calibrate your monitor. There are free to use calibration tools on some web-sites, and you can buy all sorts of more expensive systems.

A good start is to look at the greyscale in the top of the Members Galleries home page, (link at the top right of the banner). It is not perfect, but might give you a start.

Some editing software includes a calibration tool, but again, they have limited functionality.

[chickadee]

yep know all about the difference in colour with monitors , we have 2 monitors which are side by side that we use for our photos and even though we calibrated them ,both wills and mine are still different when comparing same photos .Thats why we thinking of getting a spider , so all monitors ,cameras printer etc are hopefully the same.Think i am starting to understand this cntrast and whites and black will try another pic tomorrow ,well actually today as its 2.55am

[chickadee]

thanks dabhand will check it out , much appreciated