leica1215 Posted July 2, 2016 Share #1 Posted July 2, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) I used 246 on recent trip to grassland, somehow don't find bw suitable to landscape, pictures turned out to be a bit pale, sky and grassland don't go alone well, when do portrait shows a bit more contrast and enjoyable. What type of picture you using 246 for? Or say what is most suitable scene for bw photography? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 2, 2016 Posted July 2, 2016 Hi leica1215, Take a look here Landscape, portraits or street photography?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Belle123 Posted July 2, 2016 Share #2 Posted July 2, 2016 I used 246 on recent trip to grassland, somehow don't find bw suitable to landscape, pictures turned out to be a bit pale, sky and grassland don't go alone well, when do portrait shows a bit more contrast and enjoyable. What type of picture you using 246 for? Or say what is most suitable scene for bw photography? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Did you do any post processing? The images straight out of this camera, really meant to be manipulated in something like Lightroom. Makes a huge difference once you know how. In general, best to underexpose and especially watch the highlights. And as as far your general question, all scenes can be suitable for monochrome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giulio Zanni Posted July 2, 2016 Share #3 Posted July 2, 2016 I am using it for fine art photography including landscape and yes, the files out of the camera are flat but that is what happens with all raw files. My only regret is the limited long exposure time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 3, 2016 Share #4 Posted July 3, 2016 The history of photography is filled with b/w subject matter. Looking at work from even a small sampling of these photographers will indicate the endless diversity of ideas and subjects... http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/96948-inspirational-photographers-bw/page-1 There's no reason a terrific camera like the M can't produce work in any of these genres....and more....and it has. Of course the camera doesn't do all the work; that requires a disciplined workflow from camera to print. If you're not well versed in any specific workflow aspect, there are myriad resources available, including books, videos, workshops, etc. You might visit the Luminous Landscape site (LuLa)....only $12 a year to subscribe....and watch the 12+ hour video series on Camera to Screen & Print.... https://luminous-landscape.com The Digital PP section of the forum also includes many related discussions, with reference to many resources. Most importantly, you should look at lots of work and decide the 'look' you're trying to achieve so that you have goals in mind. Anybody can learn the technical parts. Having a good eye and judging when and where to incorporate those techniques is the more difficult part. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted July 3, 2016 Share #5 Posted July 3, 2016 I used 246 on recent trip to grassland, somehow don't find bw suitable to landscape, pictures turned out to be a bit pale, sky and grassland don't go alone well, when do portrait shows a bit more contrast and enjoyable. What type of picture you using 246 for? Or say what is most suitable scene for bw photography? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Good landscape photography (or any style of photography) has never been about images popping out of a camera fully formed, otherwise Ansel Adams could have just sent his film to the corner store to be processed and printed. Learn to look at the landscape and make an opinion about it for yourself. Do you notice the clouds, the bright light, the deep shade, is it pastoral, threatening, damaged, violent, etc. The camera can't share this opinion, it only does what it does, so it is up to you to take the image it records and translate that into the final image. You do this with software and it is called post processing, or you could call it 'making the image your own'. You will hear many photographers say they don't do post processing almost as if it is a badge of honour. They buy an expensive camera and can't/won't get the most from it because if they did they wouldn't be able to find fault enough to then dump it and buy another. They go from one camera to another trying to find one that makes a masterpiece with the least input from the photographer, they won't of course, but that is their hobby. So while you still can embrace post processing and don't get sucked down that plug hole, the camera is only an intermediary step in making a photograph. The Monochrom is a very fine landscape camera, it is also good for portraits and 'street', but like any Nikon or Canon or Sony it is pretty stupid left to itself. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neko Posted July 5, 2016 Share #6 Posted July 5, 2016 From my experience with the camera I can say it is a terrific landscape camera. Hiking with such a small, light weight, wonderful IQ camera is a joy. Just as some members said you need to do some post-procesing. The Monochrom files are very workable due to the broad DR. I you want the sharpest result don´t forget the tripod at home. A light travel one should do the job. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 5, 2016 Share #7 Posted July 5, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) I used 246 on recent trip to grassland, somehow don't find bw suitable to landscape, pictures turned out to be a bit pale, sky and grassland don't go alone well, when do portrait shows a bit more contrast and enjoyable. What type of picture you using 246 for? Or say what is most suitable scene for bw photography? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Use a middle yellow filter and postprocess to your taste, and you will be fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted July 5, 2016 Share #8 Posted July 5, 2016 I do not own a typ 246 (yet), but I can't see any reason that this camera would not excel at landscape photography - as well as portraits and street photography or any other genre. Getting quality images is all about processing after the shot, whether we're talking digital or film photography. I can get very nice B&W images from my M-P 240 by processing them in Lightroom; the typ 246 would do even better in terms of image quality in B&W. Some people are scared away from Lightroom for a number of different reasons; lack of knowledge is probably #1. There is a bit of a learning curve, but being able to use Lightroom effectively is well worth the effort. Lightroom works by non-destructive processing, which means that whatever changes you make to your file are made to a copy of it, not to the original. If you don't like the changes, you still have the original file to work from and you just start over. That is a big help during the learning process. There are also many helpful books on Lightroom such as https://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Lightroom-Digital-Photographers-Voices/dp/0321934318/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1467735218&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Adobe+Photoshop+Lightroom+5+Book+for+Digital+Photographers I learned the basics of Lightroom in a few weeks with the help of the above book and a friend who is a Lightroom user. I went from a 100% film background with little knowledge of digital photography and no knowledge of Lightroom to being able to archive and process my own DNG files in not much time at all. I am still learning as I go; I have by no means "arrived" but I do work to continue to improve my processing skills. I would encourage you to not give up on your M Monochrom or to be discouraged by your initial results; producing excellent images with any digital camera is at least as much (if not more) about what you do with your DNG files after your press the shutter release than before. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giulio Zanni Posted July 5, 2016 Share #9 Posted July 5, 2016 I do not own a typ 246 (yet), but I can't see any reason that this camera would not excel at landscape photography - as well as portraits and street photography or any other genre. Getting quality images is all about processing after the shot, whether we're talking digital or film photography. I can get very nice B&W images from my M-P 240 by processing them in Lightroom; the typ 246 would do even better in terms of image quality in B&W. Some people are scared away from Lightroom for a number of different reasons; lack of knowledge is probably #1. There is a bit of a learning curve, but being able to use Lightroom effectively is well worth the effort. Lightroom works by non-destructive processing, which means that whatever changes you make to your file are made to a copy of it, not to the original. If you don't like the changes, you still have the original file to work from and you just start over. That is a big help during the learning process. There are also many helpful books on Lightroom such as https://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Lightroom-Digital-Photographers-Voices/dp/0321934318/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1467735218&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Adobe+Photoshop+Lightroom+5+Book+for+Digital+Photographers I learned the basics of Lightroom in a few weeks with the help of the above book and a friend who is a Lightroom user. I went from a 100% film background with little knowledge of digital photography and no knowledge of Lightroom to being able to archive and process my own DNG files in not much time at all. I am still learning as I go; I have by no means "arrived" but I do work to continue to improve my processing skills. I would encourage you to not give up on your M Monochrom or to be discouraged by your initial results; producing excellent images with any digital camera is at least as much (if not more) about what you do with your DNG files after your press the shutter release than before. The problem with LR is the tonal shift between the Library and Develop modules due to different profiles, RGB is Library and ProPhoto RGB in Develop Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted July 6, 2016 Share #10 Posted July 6, 2016 The problem with LR is the tonal shift between the Library and Develop modules due to different profiles, RGB is Library and ProPhoto RGB in Develop There must surely be a way to compensate for that - isn't there? Also - would the tonal shift affect DNG files from a Monochrom? It seems the answer would have to be no; Monochrom files record only light and contrast, not color... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted July 6, 2016 Share #11 Posted July 6, 2016 Only mentioned once so far (by jaap) - but if you are going to go "old-school" and shoot landscapes in pure monochrome, you'll have to go "old-school" in your techniques. Which means getting some strongly colored filters, to manipulate the tones of the world at the moment of exposure. This example is a "digital simulation" starting from a full-color digital image, but represents fairly well what you will get by putting different color filters on your lens to take a picture with a Monochrom. http://www.stuartlowphotography.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/mono_comparisons.jpg Red (especially deep red) is the most dramatic, making blue sky nearly black, and also adding contrast (darkening the blue fill light in shadows). Orange and yellow will just dial back those effects, to your taste. http://lavidaleica.com/sites/default/files/bw_filters.png There are also graduated filters and polarizers (which work for either color or B&W) - but long before they existed, the pure color filters did the job. Up to a point - you still have to expect to massage the image to make it great. Ansel Adams said (updated slightly) "the negative is just the sheet music - the print is the live performance." Your "performance" of your .DNG file in Lightroom or Photoshop is where you add the emotion and impact to the content. Here are some other general tips on making B&W scenic pictures - which can be taken or left as desired: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/10-tips-how-create-better-black-white-images I don't know about the 246, but the Monochrom v.1 definitely benefits from a "permanent" exposure comp of -1/3 or -2/3, unless the subject is extremely bright (sand, snow, sun within the frame). Blown highlights are "dead meat" - dark shadows can be recovered more easily. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted July 6, 2016 Share #12 Posted July 6, 2016 Good landscape photography (or any style of photography) has never been about images popping out of a camera fully formed This one was over-cooked, but otherwise native out of the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 6, 2016 Share #13 Posted July 6, 2016 The problem with LR is the tonal shift between the Library and Develop modules due to different profiles, RGB is Library and ProPhoto RGB in Develop I don't care about the library for final print rendering.....that's what soft proofing in the develop module is all about. I would care, however, if the soft proofing doesn't do its job well for facilitating consistent and accurate prints. Having said that, ImagePrint does an even better job soft proofing. I use it as an external editor for printing from LR files. IP also provides the added bonus of excellent custom profiles for virtually every paper, and for different lighting conditions. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giulio Zanni Posted July 6, 2016 Share #14 Posted July 6, 2016 There must surely be a way to compensate for that - isn't there? Also - would the tonal shift affect DNG files from a Monochrom? It seems the answer would have to be no; Monochrom files record only light and contrast, not color... It does, I can assure you, I wrote tonal shift not colour shift, on top of it, since the profile is narrower it easier to see bandings in the sRGB preview that you would not notice in the wider profile of the develop module or in PS Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giulio Zanni Posted July 6, 2016 Share #15 Posted July 6, 2016 I don't care about the library for final print rendering.....that's what soft proofing in the develop module is all about. I would care, however, if the soft proofing doesn't do its job well for facilitating consistent and accurate prints. Having said that, ImagePrint does an even better job soft proofing. I use it as an external editor for printing from LR files. IP also provides the added bonus of excellent custom profiles for virtually every paper, and for different lighting conditions. Jeff If all you do is printing good for you, but I have to export files for clients and competitions and that is done form the library module Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkcsm Posted July 7, 2016 Share #16 Posted July 7, 2016 There must surely be a way to compensate for that - isn't there? Also - would the tonal shift affect DNG files from a Monochrom? It seems the answer would have to be no; Monochrom files record only light and contrast, not color... It doesn't bother me, actually I've never noticed. I only use the library view to skim thumbnails. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Printmaker Posted July 7, 2016 Share #17 Posted July 7, 2016 ... What type of picture you using 246 for? Or say what is most suitable scene for bw photography? No real streets to roam here on this tropical island. I keep a 50 cron wearing an orange filter on my Monochrom and take it for long walks on the beach. Sometimes I'll photograph surfers, sometimes monk seals. There are always hundreds of tourists, most of whom don't mind being photographed by the old white haired guy with the funny old camera. I'm starting a new series on bad tats. You've seen them, a beautiful woman in a bikini with something hideous permanently scrawled on her skin. Last year was El Nino and 5 hurricanes passed within 150 miles of this island. Plenty of photo opps there. In fact, there is endless possibilities for B&W photography. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/262205-landscape-portraits-or-street-photography/?do=findComment&comment=3075239'>More sharing options...
jerrab Posted July 10, 2016 Share #18 Posted July 10, 2016 Just spent the morning yesterday with the 246MM taking pictures of grasses and bushland. Beautiful, sumptuous, sensuous B&W, showing contours, shadows, volume, as contrasty or flat as you like. Of course will need post production or print preparation. It always did. In my view, B&W is best for (almost) everything! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted July 13, 2016 Share #19 Posted July 13, 2016 I use my MM for all of the above. Look for luminence, use a yellow, orange or red filter, protect highlights at all cost, etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.