B/W - filter? or Post?

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Dyrseve989

Well-known member
Is it better to film b/w with a b/w filter or to do it normally and adjust it in post?

The only advantage I can see to using a filter is being able to make in-camera adjustments according to the b/w image displayed on the LCD

any input?

-Matt-
 
It's not really a filter that you would use in camera rather the menu setting.
The advantage of doing it in post is what if you change your mind down the road and decide NOT to go B&W - You're screwed if you shot it B&W
The advantage of doing it in camera is that you see how it's going to look on your camera LCD or field monitor if you are using one.
I believe I read on Walter's site that he lights in B&W?? Maybe I was day-dreaming because I can't find that comment now.....
 
thats something I never thought of, but lighting in b/w is very clever, I have to remmber to give that a try next time.

I guess I would just turn my chroma all the way down in order to get a complete desaturation?
 
Sirius_Doggy said:
I believe I read on Walter's site that he lights in B&W?? Maybe I was day-dreaming because I can't find that comment now.....
Click to expand...
Don't know if it was Walter's site, but you are not day-dreaming. I remember that, too. I think the way he put is is that you have to have contrast - if you don't have contrast, things look flat regardless of what colors are in the scene.

I've played a lot with converting color images to B&W. It's amazing how flat some scenes look when you simply desaturate the image. However, if you light it right, and get the B&W contrast right, it almost doesn't matter what the colors are in the actual scene - they will look much better in color and B&W.
 
Dyrseve989 said:
thats something I never thought of, but lighting in b/w is very clever, I have to remmber to give that a try next time.

I guess I would just turn my chroma all the way down in order to get a complete desaturation?
Click to expand...
NO - There's an actual menu setting in the 100A for B&W. Not sure where but I know it's there.
 
I think you are confusing it with the B&W setting for the viewfinder (better for checking both lighting and focusing). Otherwise, you'd have to pull chroma all the way down (but I am not sure if that fully desaturates the image - never tried it). In any case, I'd shoot color and then do channel blending to get a nice B&W picture.
 
xCheck, you are correct, when I pull the chroma down it does not desaturate to b/w. I guess its better to shoot in color adjust what needs to be adjusted with my EVF in b/w and then in post, desaturate it all

thanks guys,

-Matt-
 
You cannot get black 'n' white in a DVX. You can get some moderately muted colors by setting chroma level to -7, but it won't even begin to approach the level of black 'n' white.
 
Walter does advise lighting in B&W, and there is certainly something to be said for it as you see the true grayscale. Also, if you want the final product to be B&W, I would shoot that way, or at least use a monitor set up for B&W, and do test shoots with art direction. Also you might want to get a book on B&W photography.

Here's why. Let's say you take a color picture of some beautiful pink flowers against their green leaves and stems. Looks great right? The pink really pops! But then you desaturate the image and you find out that in B&W the shade of grey made by the pink flowers is identical to the shade of grey made by the leaves and stems and it all becomes one grey mess. The same happens with scenes. If you want to know how your picture is going to look in B&W you need to be thinking (and visualizing) in B&W from the art direction stage forward.

Matt
 
thanks mattC, I have never lit a scen in B/w when I havent been shooting B/W, im very excited to see the difference in image of my old stuff and newer footage when using this method to light a scene
 
I read somewhere that Bogdonavich or his DP used a red filter and some huge lights for Paper Moon to get that contrast.
 
Ive been using an orange filter...and the results are lovely...rather than messin around...bang instant contrast...Ive got some cloud stuff if anyone is interested..
J
 
jpbankesmercer said:
Ive been using an orange filter...and the results are lovely...rather than messin around...bang instant contrast...Ive got some cloud stuff if anyone is interested..
J
Click to expand...
Hey JP, which orange filter do you use? Also, I'd love to see some grabs. I'm planning my next shoot in B&W and it sounds like your suggestion will help. Any other filters or particular settings in the camera that you could recommend?

Thanks!
 
I'd love to see the pics as well, as I have a potential shoot coming up where we want the final output to be b&w. Would it also help to take the chroma out of your monitor to get a better feel for it while you're shooting?

Thanks!
 
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