I would like honest feedback on this conversion from the B&W boffins. Taken late afternoon on a game drive in Botswana a little while back.
Canon 20D
24-105 @ 60mm
1/200
F/8.0
ISO 400
Exp Comp +0.33
Hand held from an open vehicle.
I would like honest feedback on this conversion from the B&W boffins. Taken late afternoon on a game drive in Botswana a little while back.
Canon 20D
24-105 @ 60mm
1/200
F/8.0
ISO 400
Exp Comp +0.33
Hand held from an open vehicle.
Hi Stuart,
I'll let the experts comment on the conversion but I really like the look and stance from the elephant. Also like the shadow.
Stuart,
I am certainly no expert on B& W, this looks like it was taken on B& W film, how did you convertit?
Cool image Stuart. B&W conversion works very well.

Not a criticism. I know it wasn't - but for some reason looks to me like it was taken at night!!
Anyone else?? Why do I get such "clues"?
Tom
Thanks guys. This was taken around 5.30pm in the late afternoon. The light was good, and just wanted to try my hand at a B&W conversion.
Hi Stuart, I like the pose & look to camera, but I feel the conversion doesn't really work for me.
To me it looks as if there is a lot of mid tones and not enough contrast overall. I would also prefer more space to the left, less to the right with a hint more below & perhaps a fraction more USM. As a simple conversion to B/W within PS is so easy I would say the process/conversion has no real affect on the image/look, I personally feel it's the content that isn't right for the conversion. I would suggest posting the colour version too, just as a comparison which might also help to decided as to whether the image was right for B/W.
As you say it will be interesting to get further feedback from people like Morkel & Peter D.
cheers
Steve
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
Hi Stuart,
The pose is nice. I feel a higher shutter speed would have been better due to the subject motion. I agree with Steve, that a bit more contrast would have been better, as well as retaining the entire shadow. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi
Ken, Steve, Sabya, thanks for your feedback. I will post the colour version later this evening.
Here is the colour version with a slight crop as per Steve. I could have added canvas to the left, but cropped the original image. I feel this may be a touch too square.![]()
Hi Stuart, I think this address some of the thoughts about the time of day etc raised earlier, but personally I feel the colour version works best. It's not a reflection on your conversion, I just think some images work much better because of the make-up of the image, structure, content, contrast etc. I also think the crop has now tightened up the image and strengths the subject.
Cheers
Steve
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
Stuart,
You should not be surprised if I say that for me the coliour version works best, but I sill think the B & W is ok.
He looks like a rather cheeky chappy, they have such a wonderful range of expressions and poses
Hi Stuart, love the pose with the fanned ears and leg position, attitude nicely captured.! I also prefer the colour version, and feel the light and detail work well together in colour. The crop also works well IMHO.
Late to the party here, Stu...
Love the pose you captured here. I concur with Steve K's thoughts on the initial conversion - just doesn't have the oomph I prefer from B&W imagery. That doesn't mean the image can't work like that...I find elephants are great subjects to play around with for conversions due to their unique shape and the lovely textures and lines on their skin.
From the versions posted I prefer the colour version, but I did have a whack at converting your colour JPG into something more along the lines of how I would approach the conversion...curious to know what you think!
Converted in Nik Silver Efex 2, bumping contrast but dropping structure, and working with a green filter (I think). Then some selective dodging and burning on the elephant, especially to bring out the eyes some more.
I'll also be interested in Peter's thoughts if he gets round to this thread...
PS: Did I mention I love the blurred hind foot?
Stuart - I prefer the color version. There's really good detail and texture with nice even light. Personally, I find that b&w conversions often work better where the light is more uneven, probably has to do with contrast. Will be interesting to see what Peter has to say.
TFS,
Rachel
Morkie, thanks a stack for your input - I now know in which direction to go in the future.I will try my hand at another image in the near future and hopefully the feedback will be more positive.
Pieter, Rachel, thanks for your much appreciated feedback too.
Hi Stuart
A little late to party... network problems... all sorted now...
Have to agree that the colour version works best for me.. elephant s make great b&w subjects .. but you also need the right tonal range.
With this image if the sky had been included that may have given the image a different feel and a greater tonal range which would have helped with contrast and given another element of texture and form..
good to see you trying your hand at black and white...looking forward to more..
Thanks a stack Peter. I fully agree with your feedback. I was reading today how it works best with either a light subject against a dark BG, or the other way round. My image has too many different elements in the BG to work well. I know now.![]()
Beautiful image bhai, agreed with Peter
TFS