Beth in black and white

[PhotoDave]

Please let me know what you think...

[cindavphoto]

I think the b&w needs just a little more punch to it, but I'm looking at it on a laptop so I could be wrong.

I love the pose, great expression, great cropping. Maybe burn in the top of the hat a little darker. But once again, using a lap top. Not use to using it much yet so I don't know how different things really look.

Cinnamon
Ashley

[PhotoDave]

[ QUOTE ]
I think the b&w needs just a little more punch to it, but I'm looking at it on a laptop so I could be wrong.


[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Cinnamon. Your laptop is just fine. I am using Photoshop Elements 3 and struggling a bit converting to black and white. I can't seem to get the deep blacks. Any ideas?

[cindavphoto]

I can tell you what I would do, but I'm sure there are alot of experts on here that can probably help you more.

What I would do is go to "Enhance"
Then down to "Brightness & Contrast"
Bring the brightness down a little and boost the contrast up a little. Just play with it until you think you like it. I do come across one every now and then that I just can't get to look right.

Hope this helps,
Cinnamon

[PhotoDave]

Maybe a little too dark, but I think it's better. I'll have to play a bit. Thanks for the suggestions.

Here it is...

[cindavphoto]

I think somewhere just right inbetween the two. But overall I like this one better. Great shot and man she's got a great look!

Cinnamon

[jtsmith]

Anytime you use a strong reflected light from underneath you have to watch out for what I call the nose brow or the cheek eye socket. In this case a model has to lean down into the reflected light direction to minimize those distracting shadows. You can soften it down in ps but that is cheating.

Put your hand up to the screen and block out her lips and nostril area and tell me if her eyes are all that attractive now? Little test I want you to try and tell me what you see.

[PhotoDave]

Thanks again. This lucky girl gets her good looks from her father (me) [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

My skills as a photographer don't do her justice. Her agency portfolio is filled with really nice, artsy images from various LA photogs. Just none of mine at the moment [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[PhotoDave]

[ QUOTE ]
Put your hand up to the screen and block out her lips and nostril area and tell me if her eyes are all that attractive now? Little test I want you to try and tell me what you see.

[/ QUOTE ]

What I see is not flattering. Kind of sunken, dark and shadowed. I think this is what you referred to as muddy (which I didn't really understand until now).

Seeing the light - literally. I'm starting to get it. Thanks.

[BJPPhoto]

[ QUOTE ]
I am using Photoshop Elements 3 and struggling a bit converting to black and white. I can't seem to get the deep blacks. Any ideas?


[/ QUOTE ]

Get or read a copy of "The Photoshop Elements 3 Book For Digital Photographers" by Scott Kelby. He shows how to convert to B&W from color using a Hue and Saturation layer a Levels layer.
I have PSE2 and the method is in that book, so I assume it would be the same for PSE3. The method is a work-around for the lack of color channels that is available in the big PS.
The book should be on the shelf at a local Barnes and Noble or the same.
Have fun!