Editing black and white photographs effectively isn't as simple as flipping a switch in Lightroom. Getting the process right has a significant impact on the quality and authenticity of your final images.
Coming to you from Jeff Ascough and Sarah G Ascough, this informative video highlights some crucial editing pitfalls you might be encountering in Lightroom, especially with black and white conversions. One significant mistake photographers often make is converting a poorly shot color image into black and white, expecting it to magically improve. Ascough emphasizes the necessity of properly exposing and balancing your color images before conversion—specifically focusing on exposure, white balance, and removing color noise. This foundational step ensures a smoother and more natural transition to monochrome. Ignoring this step leaves you fighting a losing battle with contrast and luminance.
Another problem Ascough identifies involves reliance on presets, a tempting shortcut but often ineffective for black and white photos due to the diversity of lighting and composition. He argues that presets rarely deliver consistent results because they're optimized for specific images. Instead, Ascough recommends using Lightroom’s built-in monochrome profiles, such as Adobe Monochrome, as they offer uniform effects adaptable to various images. He introduces his own set of profiles inspired by classic films, providing a balanced and adjustable alternative.
The discussion of contrast is particularly insightful, detailing how improper contrast adjustments can destroy an otherwise excellent photograph. Ascough advocates for a straightforward method of setting white and black points using sliders and refining contrast with an S-shaped curve. This approach gives better control and consistency. He also warns against excessive reliance on Lightroom’s contrast slider, noting it can be too blunt for nuanced adjustments. Ascough points out how subtle clarity adjustments can dramatically enhance the depth and character of a monochrome image, cautioning against overuse that risks a gimmicky appearance.
Addressing blown highlights, Ascough explains methods to recover or mask these areas, focusing on practical tips like underexposing slightly and shooting in raw format. When highlights are severely blown out, he demonstrates effective Lightroom techniques—such as carefully masking and adding subtle grain—to blend the highlights naturally into the image.
Noise obsession receives particular scrutiny. Ascough challenges photographers’ fixation with eliminating digital noise entirely, comparing this unrealistic expectation to traditional film images where grain is celebrated as part of their charm. He urges acceptance of noise as part of photography’s visual vocabulary, explaining that excessive noise reduction often results in unnatural, overly digital images that lose their authenticity and warmth. Instead of obsessing over every pixel at extreme magnification, he recommends viewing images as intended, respecting proper viewing distances and contexts. That's just the start, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Ascough.
