Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: dwood on October 27, 2008, 09:20:58 pm

Title: Split toning b&w images
Post by: dwood on October 27, 2008, 09:20:58 pm
To date, I've processed my b&w work pretty much as dead neutral, which I do like. For grins, I've started to play around a bit with split-toning to see if I could get some pleasing results. BTW, I'm doing this in LR2. Anyway, I'd be interested in some 'gut reaction' feedback on the examples below. Do you prefer the neutral, one of the tinted versions or would you suggest trying something altogether different, and why. All constructive comments are welcome.


[attachment=9229:_DSC0736.jpg] [attachment=9230:_DSC0736_3.jpg] [attachment=9231:_DSC0736_2.jpg]
Title: Split toning b&w images
Post by: JohnBrew on November 05, 2008, 07:53:39 am
Quote from: dwood
To date, I've processed my b&w work pretty much as dead neutral, which I do like. For grins, I've started to play around a bit with split-toning to see if I could get some pleasing results. BTW, I'm doing this in LR2. Anyway, I'd be interested in some 'gut reaction' feedback on the examples below. Do you prefer the neutral, one of the tinted versions or would you suggest trying something altogether different, and why. All constructive comments are welcome.


[attachment=9229:_DSC0736.jpg] [attachment=9230:_DSC0736_3.jpg] [attachment=9231:_DSC0736_2.jpg]
The differences in the three images are not all that evident. I've been using the split-tone techniques described in "Advanced Digital Black & White Photography" by John Beardsworth. I've had particular success with the selenium and palladium tone curves. Good luck.
Title: Split toning b&w images
Post by: larkvi on November 05, 2008, 09:27:47 am
Quote from: JohnBrew
The differences in the three images are not all that evident. I've been using the split-tone techniques described in "Advanced Digital Black & White Photography" by John Beardsworth. I've had particular success with the selenium and palladium tone curves. Good luck.

I opened the third one on top of the second one, and I could literally tell no difference (thought the window had not even opened)--I would suggest experimenting with a bit more color in the toning, to see if it makes a real difference you are interested in--it might as well be neutral at the moment.
Title: Split toning b&w images
Post by: jjj on November 05, 2008, 09:40:08 am
The two toned images look identical, but they are much, much better than the bland neutral image.

Darkroom B+W prints, were never pure B+W, they tended to be warm or cool toned to a greater or lesser extent.
B+W with no colour in tends to look very flat and lifeless.
Title: Split toning b&w images
Post by: dwood on November 07, 2008, 11:54:53 am
Thanks for the feedback folks.
Title: Split toning b&w images
Post by: Provokot on November 07, 2008, 12:15:24 pm
Quote from: dwood
Thanks for the feedback folks.

I Like the neutral, its fine. The colours you have chosen seem to me to be warming up a pic that needs to be cooling down. I'd look at a very subtle blue bias in the shadow tones... just an idea.
Title: Split toning b&w images
Post by: Provokot on November 07, 2008, 12:16:40 pm
Quote from: dwood
Thanks for the feedback folks.

I Like the neutral, its fine. The colours you have chosen seem to me to be warming up a pic that needs to be cooling down. I'd look at a very subtle blue bias in the shadow tones... just an idea.