One key challenge when processing our images is to achieve maximum dynamic range to enhance details in shadows, highlights, and everything in between. This is important with color images and perhaps even more critical when processing b&w photos for maximum impact.
Today’s Lightroom tutorial from British photographer Mark A. Hunter addresses this goal in a somewhat surprising way, by explaining how adjusting colors before editing a b&w conversion will provide far more control over dynamic range. Hunter’s two sample images in this lesson can be downloaded with a link beneath the video so you can follow along and experiment with the technique as the simple steps are explained.
Hunter covers everything you need to know for mastering this technique to supercharge the look of all types of monochrome images, whether you shoot landscapes, street scenes or architectural photos. He illustrates how this works using a simple graphic with vibrant and diverse colors on a simple blue background.
It all has to do Saturation, and the takeaway is this: “Desaturating a photograph is not the same as black and white. You have to be mindful of the colors you are accentuating or muting while you’re doing your black-and-white processing.” And this is what Hunter demonstrates how to accomplish as the lesson proceeds.
Hunter begins to unravel this mystery by pulling up two demonstration images. He then opens Lightroom’s Develop module and goes to work on the first shot— an interesting color photo of a street scene with an orange building that occupies most of the frame. He zooms in on the shot and desaturates it to illustrate how the orange and blue tones mix together—not quite what he wants.
But watch what happens when he resets the image and takes a different approach. Now the b&w example has far more contrast and definition, with none of the previous issues related to similar Luminosity values of adjacent colors
Even though the image is much improved, it’s now time for the ultimate approach which involves Saturation adjustments to the original color photo before proceeding to the b&w transformation.
The episode concludes with Hunter walking you through a similar procedure for his second example, and the results he achieves are equally impressive. The instructions he provides are far more detailed than the foregoing summary. When you’re done, head over to Hunter’s popular YouTube channel where there is much more to learn.
Then, be sure to check out the tutorial we shared recently, explaining how to use a “revolutionary” Lightroom tool to achieve pro-level color tones and balance in nature and wildlife photographs.
Let’s face it: Many of us can’t afford the latest hi-res cameras, exotic lenses, and other expensive accessories, but we all aspire to capturing great images. If this sounds familiar pay close attention to this quick tutorial that explains how to squeeze every ounce of excellence out of whatever equipment is in your bag.
Instructor Duade Paton is an experienced Australian nature photographer, with a portfolio of beautiful nature and wildlife images. As you can in his equipment list below the video, he uses some really great stuff because photography is how he makes a living. That said, Paton is very sympathetic to the plight of amateurs who can’t justify top-line cameras and lenses.
The video below is the third installment of Paton’s popular Masterclass series that provides shooting, editing, and gear recommendations for photographers of all skill levels. Today he emonstrates several enlightening image-quality techniques that anyone can achieve in the field without upgrading their arsenal.
Just so you don’t feel envious, Paton demonstrates how to the job done while shooting with a 15-year-old camera worth about forty bucks. He begins with what he says are two key image-quality elements that everyone must consider before pressing the shutter button in the field. “The first one is the available light reflecting back into the lens.”
What Patron refers to as the second most essential element comes as somewhat of a surprise; namely, how big the subject is in the viewfinder or how close we are to that subject. He says, “I can’t stress how important these two details are because they directly correlate to the amount of quality you have in your images.
Patron defines image quality like this: “For me it refers to an image that’s sharp and full of detail with high resolution.” He also strives to capture imagesthat appear realistic and lifelike. The takeaway is that these aspirations are attainable if you understand what to do.
After this brief introduction Paton spends the remainder of the lesson demonstrating several straightforward techniques for capturing impressive nature, wildlife, and landscape images in the field without breaking the bank. Once you’re done watching head over to his instructional YouTube channel here you’ll find an abundance of other powerful tips and techniques.
We also encourage you check out the earlier tutorial we featured with another adept photographer who demonstrates how a rudimentary understanding of color theory will significantly improve the quality and appeal of every photograph you capture.
