Monochrom Post Processing Workflow

[Acekerman]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

The MM is an amazing tool. But I feel its better than me when Im post processing. Im looking for some post processing tips and formulas as I want to get the most out of this stunning camera. I use Lightroom 5 and Silver Efex Pro 2. I am open to all feedback. Thank you in advance everyone.

 

Cheers

 

Brian

[Luke_Miller]

I really like the way Michael Toye processes his Monochrom shots. It works well for his street shooting, but might not be optimum for landscapes

 

The Stormtroopers Are Coming!

 

He shares his workflow in articles on his blog. The Page 9 (September 3, 2013) post has a good description of his technique, which I have modified a bit for my own use.

[sanyasi]

Some have suggested bringing the file in without curve adjustments, and then adding contrast in Silver efex. I have been moving in that direction. Although not helpful, practice improves results.

 

I have experimented with the presets over the years. In 95% of the cases, I use nothing, the first push process, or the first fine arts. You get familiar with when best to use one or the other. Push process, for example works well on light skinned people, but not dark skin people. I then pretty much work my way down through the basic controls. I then dodge and burn locally.

 

I have also experimented with the film types, not because I want a tmax look, but because I like the contrast that they can produce. Once again, I have thee or four of these that I like. If I am using one of these, I usually use it before making other adjustments. I think it is best to treat these as additional presets.

[250swb]

I started to answer this thread, but abandoned it realising it was a vast topic and impossible to address without any knowledge of the types of image the OP likes? The MM files can be moulded to an awful lot of styles and so there is more than one starting point.

 

Steve

[MarkP]

I started to answer this thread, but abandoned it realising it was a vast topic and impossible to address without any knowledge of the types of image the OP likes? The MM files can be moulded to an awful lot of styles and so there is more than one starting point.

 

Steve

 

I thought similarly.

 

The point is that the Monochrom files come very flat out of the camera (just how they should be). However, they are extremely versatile & malleable for almost any type of processing.