Busker in B&W (Update: + colour)

[muzz]

I went for a walk in Fremantle on the weekend and took this image. It was fairly bland in colour so I went for a more film-like B&W.

C&C appreciated.

[gstark]

I love the contrast in your processing of this image. It's a shame that the background is as busy as it is.

[Bindii]

I love the contrast in your processing of this image. It's a shame that the background is as busy as it is.

What he said as thats exactly what I thought when I clicked on this post...

Loads of potential with this fella though!

[rookie2]

I too really like the contrast and BW treatment Muzz.

the full size image is beautifully crisp with a richness and depth in the blacks.

I think this pic lends itself to a re-visit to the area capturing similar 'character' shots without too many distractions from the main subject.

Any tips on your BW processing would be great!

Look forward to seeing more.

cheers

R2

[FrankieP]

I really like this. The background is busy, but in an other way all those modern skate and surf slogans nicely contrast the 'olde worlde' look of the busker. I like it!

[muzz]

Thanks for your comments guys. When I saw this guy I was attracted by the fact that he was brown, beige and "soft" against a predominantly sharp black and white (some colour) background. Also the newness of the background against his "oldness". On the wider view the window logos put him more or less at the hub of a wheel of logos.

As far as processing goes, I'm a little vague on the specifics. I do most stuff in Apple Aperture so converted to B&W there and the usual levels and contrast with black point and recovery. However I was playing with editing in Photoshop as well, and added some slight film grain effect. Once I'd saved any changes in PS all the sliders in Aperture reverted to default so I would then apply more contrast/recovery etc etc. I think I went into PS a couple of times - I was really just fiddling but I knew I wanted a really contrasty grainy image. Sharpening was back in Aperture.

I may well go back to Fremantle as there are plenty of street shots available - just a matter of organising it.

Thanks again for your C&C - it's much appreciated.

[zafra52]

I agree with the "background being too busy". In fact the problem
is that the background is too much in focus. I wonder if this
picture wouldn't be better in colour.

[Big V]

If the background was out of focus more then it being so busy would not be an issue. Lovely conversion on this.

[muzz]

Thanks guys. Yes the busy background was what caught my eye, then the contrast between the busker and what was immediately behind him. Here is the colour version out of camera, only sharpened a little, nothing else:



Colour post-production tips welcomed

[rookie2]

two worlds collide!
while I liked the B&W treatment, this also caught my eye immediately because of the old:new contrast.
works for me however you go!
look forward to more Muzz
R2

[zafra52]

The colour works for me better because
there is much to see and the eyes keep
going back to the musician and the
different shapes and colours in the
background. Now, the best way to make
the b&w work would be to blur the
background, but would it work?

[rflower]

I prefer the colour version. I think the old man stands out more.

There is a bright spot (reflection)next to the old man which is more noticeable (and draws my eye) in the colour vs the b&w though. Is it possible to tone down that spot a little.

If you ever had the opportunity for a reshoot, I would be interested to see the effect of a polarizing filter (if you have one) to reduce the reflections in the glass, and therefore remove the distractions.