Jump to content

A processing tip for Monochrom


Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I work with my Monochrom pictures on two different computers. One has Lightroom 3 and one has Lightroom 4. For some reason I always battle terribly with getting enough "pop" with the latter computer. There is something about the midtones and highlights that never look right to me.

 

Hard to tell why, but one theory that I've thought of could be that LR4 (and latter?) is much more tailored to the CMOS color sensors of modern cameras.

 

I now realize that you can actually set LR4 to emulate LR3, and making it easier to work with grayscale pictures. At least in my mind.

 

Somehow I find the three-step combination Recovery/ Fill/ Blacks much easier to work with than the four-step combination Highlights/ Shadows/ Whites/ Blacks.

 

The reason for this could be that Monochrom has such endless midtones, but is a little picky in highlights, to say the least.

 

Anyway, if you too edit Monochrom photos, You might try want to try "Lightroom 3" by choosing 2010-process at the bottom of the develop list.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Jaap: One of the computers is running a hardware calibrated Eizo Coloredge, and the other is a standard iMac. To be certain I installed Lr4 on a third computer, a macbook, and I am now pretty certain that it is not a calibration issue.

 

That was not the point however. I was just saying that I personally find it easier to process monochrom files to desired result with the older three-step process (AKA Lr3, AKA 2010) than the newer four-step proces (AKA Lr4, AKA 2012).

 

Either way, this is a fantastic option to have, and I am glad I discovered it, and wanted to share with the forum.

 

When I work with color files from my Canon 5D3, I find the opposite is true.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I much prefer using LR5, using either my M8.2 (CCD) or M (CMOS), for b/w. I think Leica's choice of sensor has nothing to do with Adobe. It's a matter of user preference and technique.

 

Thorsten Overgaard has written often about his preference for LR3, for all digital Ms. He uses very few controls and prefers a streamlined process for processing many photos.

 

Charles Cramer offers some insights on his preference for the LR4 process engine in in this old LuLa article.

 

For me, LR5 (same engine as LR4) offers many enhancements beyond the sliders…noise control, local adjustment capability (using the brush and gradient tools), added features, and much more. I don't own the MM, but I'm certain that I would learn to take advantage of LR 5's enhanced capabilities for this, or any, camera. I frequently re-process old photos to take advantage of Adobe's continued improvements.

 

Different strokes...

 

Jeff

Edited by Jeff S
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I much prefer using LR5,

For me, LR5 (same engine as LR4) offers many enhancements beyond the sliders…noise control, local adjustment capability (using the brush and gradient tools), added features, and much more. I don't own the MM, but I'm certain that I would learn to take advantage of LR 5's enhanced capabilities for this, or any, camera. I frequently re-process old photos to take advantage of Adobe's continued improvements.

Different strokes...

Jeff

 

I agree. LR4 was very good but LR5 is better. I do have an MM but also often do b&w conversions of images shot with my M9. I'm completely satisfied with the results from both cameras using LR5.

(If interested see my flickr stuff: link below). I really can't see any need to go back to earlier Lightroom/s ......but as you say; different strokes.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I really can't see any need to go back to earlier Lightroom/s ......

 

My tip was regarding the possibility to use earlier process, not the entire program. By selecing the more simple process, only the sliders shown change place, everything else is in place.

 

I have just installed 5.2 and it does indeed seem a tad better.

Link to post
Share on other sites

FWIW, I find that the Tri-X emulsion in Silver Efex Pro makes the highlights pop quite nicely. That emulsion setting adds a bit of contrast and also grain. But I often will eliminate the grain and reverse some of the contrast as the case warrants.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...