Converting photos into b/w to match film

Some of you are going to find this entry a waste of your time. But lately i find some information on how to convert a digital photo into a black & white one, which will match the different kinds of black & white films’ tones in the market.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Run Photoshop
2. Open an image
3. Either add a ‘Channel Mixer’ layer or goto IMAGE>ADJUSTMENTS>CHANNEL MIXER
4. Check on the ‘monochrome’ box on the bottom (I’m using CS4)

Now that the image has turned into black and white with a default value of 40% Red 40% Green and 20% Blue, you can tweak the percentage to obtain different tones.

Here’s what I noted down:

• Ilford Delta-100 (21% Red 42% Green 37% Blue)
• T-Max 100 (24% Red 37% Green 39% Blue)
• Tri-X (25% Red 35% Green 40% Blue)

Now.. To be honest with you, i think the readings are quite bull. Unless you are a really really really seasoned black & white film user who uses all sorts of black & white film, it is unlikely you can spot the difference.

I made some conversions using the photo above and you decide for yourself if there really are any differences. Taken with a Sony Alpha-900 and Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG.

delta100

tmax100

trix

No related posts.