Mastering monochrome post processing

Bachs · 12-02-2006, 20:31

It was mentioned in another thread that it might be a good idea if I shared some of the tricks I use to create monochrome images.

Not everybody's cup of tea I know but I've developed a bit of a passion for this area and rather than type out lengthy tutorials with lots of screengrabs, I've decided to create the tutorials in the form of video tutorials to share the techniques in realtime.

They are in .swf (Flash) format so you will need the flash plug-in and broadband.

I'll add new tutorials as often as I can and start from the very beginning, gradually building up the skills as we progress through the process.

I picked most of these tips up from Martin Henson who had a long running Q&A session running elsewhere and he has given me tuition on a one to one basis also.

Please feel free to add comments in between the tutorials and please point out any technical errors so I can correct them.

The first tutorial is on the subject of merging 2 RAW files, one exposed for highlights and one for shadows and blending them in Photoshop using a layer mask.

Let me know what you think of the format and in particular how it loads and plays.

The first one is a little rough and ready, I didn't have time to script or rehearse it and it's a little staggered but I'm sure I'll improve as I gain experience using the application.

Here's the first one... blending RAW files

Many members are probaly already using this technique and it isn't specific to monochrome but hopefully it will be useful to someone.

EDIT: I'll keep this first post updated with the list of tutorials.

1. Blending RAW files

2. Converting to monochrome using adjustment layers

Venomator · 12-02-2006, 20:36

Hey ... very professional Bachs ! Where'd you get time ...

I am going to look at this in more detail on the morrow but from me ... many thanks m8 ... good of you to share your techniques with us - and especailly in such an expert manner !

RobertP · 12-02-2006, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bachs

Not everybody's cup of tea I know

I don't do much PS and I just watched your tutorial and feel like I understood it. I like the way you mentioned the things that would be obvious to experienced users but invisible to me

It played fine and downloaded fully by about 3 mins in (ntl 2Mb). I know the sound is compressed but it did sound a bit like the mic was inside your shirt

Bachs · 12-02-2006, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertP

It played fine and downloaded fully by about 3 mins in (ntl 2Mb). I know the sound is compressed but it did sound a bit like the mic was inside your shirt

You had to download it?
It should load immediately and start streaming.
I'd be interested to know if anyone else experienced this! It could be down to individual browser settings etc.

I reduced the audio quality to half to get the filesize down for the web and I can certainly make improvements to my microphone setup (I was using a cheap headset) Thanks for pointing that out.

Warspite · 12-02-2006, 22:37

Just played in a webpage fine on mine - would have liked to download it but streamed very well.

Excellent tutorial, really enjoyed it - very informative, and have to say its given me some impetus to start learning a bit more. I dont general enjoy the post processing part, mainly due to the fact I havent a clue what Im doing, but maybe this will go towards turning that (a little)

Thanks

**stepheno** · 13-02-2006, 07:12

Excellent Bachs - thanks for spending the time. Mine streamed OK.

regards

***Dave*** · 13-02-2006, 09:31

Haven't had chance to listen to it yet, but the image quality of the video is tons better than others I have seen......expect your bandwidth bill to suffer

RobertP · 13-02-2006, 09:43

It did stream but you can tell from the progress bar how much of the file is buffered ahead ready to play....

13-02-2006, 10:45

Excellent Bachs.
I've loaded the webpage, and I'm going to save the SWF file to my HD for later viewing if that's OK.

I've been REALLY looking forward to learning how you do your Black and White. I remember your posts as you were learning yourself, but I didn't have the time to get stuck in.

Now I have some shots that I really want to give good B&W treatment too, so this is perfect.
Once again, thanks

Edit : Can't save it locally, so will just have to stream it when I get a while to sit down and go through it....

Gary Bagshawe · 13-02-2006, 11:31

Great tutorial, however on my laptop it streamed fine up until just after bringing out the detail in the door then it just stopped.

CriPPle · 13-02-2006, 14:49

Great tutorial, will give that a try tonight......have had mixed success in the past trying to merge two images to deal with shadows and highlights.

Thanks.

RickMezza · 13-02-2006, 16:26

Superb Bachs,

Its so good of you to spare your time to make these...I really appreciate it. I know nowt about PS but you made it look relatively simple so I'mm gonna give this a try when I find a suitable image.
Can't wait for the rest of the series.
Rich

Venomator · 13-02-2006, 17:10

Well Bachs - congratulations are definitely in order !

Just watched (and listened to) your tutorial start to finish ! Very good pace and instructional technique you have applied throughout !

I found the whole thing easy to follow and extremely useful - to me a complete novice to PS (still only using Elements though !). You clearly know your stuff !

Well done and, once again your time and effort are much appreciated !

Thanx Bachs !

Bachs · 13-02-2006, 17:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcel

Excellent Bachs.
I've loaded the webpage, and I'm going to save the SWF file to my HD for later viewing if that's OK.

Edit : Can't save it locally, so will just have to stream it when I get a while to sit down and go through it....

It seems people are having various results...some stream and some are able to download.
I'm investigating browser settings and settings in the application I use but if I find the answer anyone is most welcome to download it and future tutorials.
Thanks to everyone else also.

The next set of tutorials I am putting together cover the main methods of initially converting to monochrome...LAB mode, Saturation layers, channel mixer etc.

I've got a whole bag of tricks to follow that.

Please keep the comments coming and correct me on any technical errors or anything I can improve on.
I've been told the first one is far too long. I could have inserted 'here's one I made earlier' bits to cut down on the mundane bits as I was scrubbing away.

Please note, I'm not professing to be any kind of expert in the field, I'm just passing on some skills that others have shared with me which have had an impact on my monochrome images.

RobertP · 13-02-2006, 17:51

It was too long - in the sense that it could be scripted and exact and therefore shorter. From my point of view I liked it as it was. The very lack of 'perfection' was what made it accessable and made me think I could do it too. I think changing the style would be a mistake.

I watched a few of those photoshop TV links that were posted a while back. The information was probably all there and very concise - I just felt I was watching people that know what they are doing - but above my level. I did not try anything I saw there.

I have just tried what I saw in your tutorial and almost did it from memory.

One thing I did notice..... The menus getting in the way sequence - think it was DJW posted a tip about using tab to hide/show all menus.... something else I remembered

.

Bachs · 13-02-2006, 18:18

Thanks Robert...some good pointers there.
I deliberately didn't script or rehearse it, I wanted it to be more like someone watching over my shoulder and a conversation.
I'll remember the TAB key trick for the next one!

12-02-2006, 20:31	#1 (permalink)
Bachs Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Montrose NE Scotland Posts: 919	Mastering monochrome post processing It was mentioned in another thread that it might be a good idea if I shared some of the tricks I use to create monochrome images. Not everybody's cup of tea I know but I've developed a bit of a passion for this area and rather than type out lengthy tutorials with lots of screengrabs, I've decided to create the tutorials in the form of video tutorials to share the techniques in realtime. They are in .swf (Flash) format so you will need the flash plug-in and broadband. I'll add new tutorials as often as I can and start from the very beginning, gradually building up the skills as we progress through the process. I picked most of these tips up from Martin Henson who had a long running Q&A session running elsewhere and he has given me tuition on a one to one basis also. Please feel free to add comments in between the tutorials and please point out any technical errors so I can correct them. The first tutorial is on the subject of merging 2 RAW files, one exposed for highlights and one for shadows and blending them in Photoshop using a layer mask. Let me know what you think of the format and in particular how it loads and plays. The first one is a little rough and ready, I didn't have time to script or rehearse it and it's a little staggered but I'm sure I'll improve as I gain experience using the application. Here's the first one... blending RAW files Many members are probaly already using this technique and it isn't specific to monochrome but hopefully it will be useful to someone. EDIT: I'll keep this first post updated with the list of tutorials. 1. Blending RAW files 2. Converting to monochrome using adjustment layers __________________ Canon EOS 350D (Rebel XT)---EFS 18-55 MKII kit lens---Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III USM---Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II ---Tamron AF 28-200mm Super Zoom f3.8-5.6 Aspherical (IF) Macro 1:4---BG-E3 Grip---Speedlite 580EX---Canon(ish) Angle Finder C---Photoshop CS2---Powershot A95 Last edited by Bachs : 03-03-2006 at 21:28.

13-02-2006, 17:51	#15 (permalink)
RobertP Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Woodford Essex Posts: 841	It was too long - in the sense that it could be scripted and exact and therefore shorter. From my point of view I liked it as it was. The very lack of 'perfection' was what made it accessable and made me think I could do it too. I think changing the style would be a mistake. I watched a few of those photoshop TV links that were posted a while back. The information was probably all there and very concise - I just felt I was watching people that know what they are doing - but above my level. I did not try anything I saw there. I have just tried what I saw in your tutorial and almost did it from memory. One thing I did notice..... The menus getting in the way sequence - think it was DJW posted a tip about using tab to hide/show all menus.... something else I remembered . __________________ 20D. Kit lens. Canon 50mm 1.4. Sigma 150mm 2.8 macro. Tamron 28-75 XR Di. Canon 70-200 f4L . Canon 100-400L. 580EX.

12-02-2006, 20:36	#2 (permalink)
Venomator Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 922	Hey ... very professional Bachs ! Where'd you get time ... I am going to look at this in more detail on the morrow but from me ... many thanks m8 ... good of you to share your techniques with us - and especailly in such an expert manner !

12-02-2006, 22:37	#5 (permalink)
Warspite Feet under the table Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Newcastle Sunderland Middlesbrough (UK) Posts: 1,736	Just played in a webpage fine on mine - would have liked to download it but streamed very well. Excellent tutorial, really enjoyed it - very informative, and have to say its given me some impetus to start learning a bit more. I dont general enjoy the post processing part, mainly due to the fact I havent a clue what Im doing, but maybe this will go towards turning that (a little) Thanks

13-02-2006, 07:12	#6 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,801	Excellent Bachs - thanks for spending the time. Mine streamed OK. regards

13-02-2006, 09:31	#7 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 15,504	Haven't had chance to listen to it yet, but the image quality of the video is tons better than others I have seen......expect your bandwidth bill to suffer

13-02-2006, 09:43	#8 (permalink)
RobertP Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Woodford Essex Posts: 841	It did stream but you can tell from the progress bar how much of the file is buffered ahead ready to play....

13-02-2006, 10:45	#9 (permalink)
Marcel Posts: n/a	Excellent Bachs. I've loaded the webpage, and I'm going to save the SWF file to my HD for later viewing if that's OK. I've been REALLY looking forward to learning how you do your Black and White. I remember your posts as you were learning yourself, but I didn't have the time to get stuck in. Now I have some shots that I really want to give good B&W treatment too, so this is perfect. Once again, thanks Edit : Can't save it locally, so will just have to stream it when I get a while to sit down and go through it....

13-02-2006, 11:31	#10 (permalink)
Gary Bagshawe Rep Point Winner 07 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 2,243	Great tutorial, however on my laptop it streamed fine up until just after bringing out the detail in the door then it just stopped.

13-02-2006, 14:49	#11 (permalink)
CriPPle Getting Comfy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Biggin Hill Posts: 238	Great tutorial, will give that a try tonight......have had mixed success in the past trying to merge two images to deal with shadows and highlights. Thanks.

13-02-2006, 16:26	#12 (permalink)
RickMezza Quite Chatty Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: ooop north Posts: 94	Superb Bachs, Its so good of you to spare your time to make these...I really appreciate it. I know nowt about PS but you made it look relatively simple so I'mm gonna give this a try when I find a suitable image. Can't wait for the rest of the series. Rich

13-02-2006, 17:10	#13 (permalink)
Venomator Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 922	Well Bachs - congratulations are definitely in order ! Just watched (and listened to) your tutorial start to finish ! Very good pace and instructional technique you have applied throughout ! I found the whole thing easy to follow and extremely useful - to me a complete novice to PS (still only using Elements though !). You clearly know your stuff ! Well done and, once again your time and effort are much appreciated ! Thanx Bachs !

13-02-2006, 18:24	#17 (permalink)

13-02-2006, 18:18	#16 (permalink)
Bachs Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Montrose NE Scotland Posts: 919	Thanks Robert...some good pointers there. I deliberately didn't script or rehearse it, I wanted it to be more like someone watching over my shoulder and a conversation. I'll remember the TAB key trick for the next one!