Re: Striking tonal range in B&W images - How?

In article <vYWdnfwWBu7KYkrZnZ2dnUVZ_tSdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Ryan <quakeserver149@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I have yet to figure out how people get black and white images with a
bathtub shaped histogram where they are very black and very white
without being full of mid-tones.

I've heavily edited & tweaked a thousand or two images by now and
lightly tweaked a good number more. Curves, levels, hues, masks,
curves-masks, levels-masks.

My images are very gray with a fairly flat and constant histgram. My
efforts to mimic those contrasty effects end up clipping out so many
details in the highlights or the shadows that I lose a third or more of
my subject image data.

How is it done?

The best example of what I'm looking for is embedded in a flash file and
not directly linkable. http://www.theimageisfound.com/wedding/ then
bridal, the 8th image in. The dress is very white, although not all
washed out. The subject's hair ranges from 100% black to almost 100%
white areas. The grass does the same.

The 2nd best example (but not nearly as expressive of my point) is on
http://www.alamy.com/ image# AB6176 - decent bathtub curve shaped
histogram

My images end up looking for flat and gray similar to AP51F2 and ARF350

I get a very consistent and flat looking image with regard to tonal
range. My histogram is more likely to be a flat line and I am not
successful in amplifing the highs and lows without making obvious
effects in the photo. I have a tough time even clipping the extremes
with levels to make a decent looking low key or high key image. My
shots have no pop.

My subjects are candid people or objects in natural light with no flash
and shadows exist to varying degrees.

What are your techniques?

-Ryan

Perform an S-curve on the levels. You can create your own in
Photoshop's curves if you don't have software that does it. If you're
using Canon, upgrade your copy of Digital Photo Professional to get a
wide range contrast adjustment.

You'll need RAW images that are very low in noise. JPEG and high noise
sensors can't take that much manipulation.
.

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