For BW project, shoot color or BW?

[KevinCarter]

I'm going to venture into a BW project soon on 4x5. Question: in old time film days obviously I'd buy BW. But today, everyone is getting scans, is there any reason still to go BW film over color film?

Now I'm not the most adept BW conversion guy in Photoshop. I just add the BW adjustment layer. But I could get more sophisticated, and buy Nik products etc. so hence, reason for this question. thanks

[BrettD]

My inclination is that you'd want to shoot in color and convert in post since you could decide post-shoot how each color is reflected in gray tones. Basically it would be like shooting without a filter and then applying the filter in developing. Obviously you could just use a filter while shooting, but then you'd have to make this creative decisions pre-shoot.

I'm curious what others think though.

[KevinStecyk]

Originally Posted by BrettD

My inclination is that you'd want to shoot in color and convert in post since you could decide post-shoot how each color is reflected in gray tones. Basically it would be like shooting without a filter and then applying the filter in developing. Obviously you could just use a filter while shooting, but then you'd have to make this creative decisions pre-shoot.

I'm curious what others think though.

Brett is completely correct. You have an infinite number of ways to create B&W photographs from color photographs. You can mix channels, use various blends and masks. If you shoot in B&W, you have handed over one of the most creative aspects of creating a B&W photo to your camera. I'd never do that.

Incidentally, here's something you might want to try to add some punch to your photographs. On the bottom layer, have your corrected color version. On layer above and in luminosity blend mode, place a B&W photograph. You might wish to turn down the opacity and/or use a mask on the B&W photograph.

Getting back on track to the B&W photographs, Nik Software produces a very good plug-in called Silver Efex Pro 2.

Happy shooting.

[KevinCarter]

thanks Kevin, I've heard others say though that BW has much greater range of stops than color -- especially when scanning the film as I will be doing.

[KevinStecyk]

Originally Posted by KevinCarter

thanks Kevin, I've heard others say though that BW has much greater range of stops than color -- especially when scanning the film as I will be doing.

With respect to the range of stops, you might be correct. If so, then it's a trade-off between greater range of stops when shooting versus much greater and artistic flexilibility in post processing.

Some like "pure" in that this was shot from X camera using Y film. No postprocessing used. If so, then your decision is made.

If you're doing postprocessing, then you have to weigh the trade-offs.