BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Digital Photographic Discussions - Imaging Basics

Dino L. Rovera		Black and White and Camera RAW Hello BP Community. I shoot with a Canon 50D. I have my C1 function dial programed for Black and White (Monochrome). I shoot in RAW. After taking several images in Black and White, I downloaded them and began to process/view them via CS5....All my images were in color, did I do something obviously wrong, or am I not thinking this problem through? Why were they in color and not B&W? However they were in B&W when I viewed them on my camera LCD. Please advise. Thank you..Dino To love this question, log in above January 15, 2012

Lynn R. Powers		Everything is working as it is supposed to. If you shot in RAW+JPEG the image the JPEG image would be in B&W. I asked George Lepp, Outdor Photobrapher Magazine monthly contributor and outstanding professional photographer and processor, if shooting in camera B&W or converting it to B&W with the computer was better and his answer was, "Always convert to B&W in the computer." So go ahead and get the best image you can in color from the RAW image, then convert it to B&W. Before the conversion. Make sure that you have details in the darker shadows, just a little because you do not them to come out in a midtone grey. You can do additional improvements once the convesion is made. Something you should be aware of is that color depends on contast of colors whereas B&W gets its contrast from the varying amounts of light, i.e. lightness and darkness. When everything is the same shade of grey you will have a very boring photo. I have seen many of them on this and other forums. Get a book on B&W to learn how to see these things. Just because a photo is in B&W doesn't make it good. You still must use rules of composition and most importantely have an interesting photo. For beautiful smooth photos use low ISO and a tripod if necessary. For high contrast and/or grainy photos use a high ISO when outside. Inside you can adjust with the lights. When making B&W photos make sure that the brightness on your screen is correct. I use the scale provided by dpreview. Toward the bottom of their reviews is a scale that goes from A-Z. When you can see a difference in each one you have the screen set properly for both color and B&W. Good Luck. To love this comment, log in above January 15, 2012

Dino L. Rovera		Hi Lynn, Thank you very much for taking the time to respond so quickly to my posted question. I wish I was as prompt with this note of thanks. The informaation you provided is very appreciated and useful. I am glad to read that it was not I, nor my camera that was at malfunctioning. To love this comment, log in above January 25, 2012

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