Customer Reviews

The Complete Guide to Black & White Digital Photography (A Lark Photography Book)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is almost square, a fine format for displaying the well chosen images. It says "Black & White" but it also says "Complete Guide", and that's so true. Here you find a very methodic approach to this subject. Starting with simple straight forward color to B&W conversion and showing clearly that the simple way is quick and so dirty, Michael soon leads us into the world of creatively making what we want and how to tweak the image to get that result. Michael shows us (using Photoshop as main tool) step by step how to tackle the issues, from the color image itself via the conversion (tools) to processing the converted result. Other conversions (like duotones, InfraRed, solarization) are very well explained, in completely worked out examples. Likeable is that he really shows the different possiblities, sometimes to show that some ways are not producing top quality work, sometimes to show the choices, creative decisions you have to make for yourself. Plug-ins and other specialistic tools (for making digital look like film, for noise-reduction etc.) are nicely introduced, showing where, if and when they are needed.
The images are beautiful and to the point. The examples show that seeing in color is so different from seeing in B&W. Michael makes us aware of thinking beforehand in B&W, shown also in work made by the masters (Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and more). The Zone system is not left untouched in this book. If you think: B&W? Easy: desaturate, done. Then think again, from what you see here, you know this conversion can be done so much better. The displaying, mounting, presenting of the work are also covered. This really is a complete guide!
When you pick this up you have a very attractive book in your hands. Written for easy reference, no lengthy chapters, but concise and direct 2, 3 pages on each subject. And believe me, you want to pick up this book, time and time again, to become a master yourself, at least in the processing and finishing department.

I have several of Mr Freeman's books:

The Photographer's Eye
Perfect Exposure
Top Digital Photography Tips

The Complete Guide to Black and White Digital Photography is just as good as the others. The layout and quality of prints is pleasing. More importantly the author not only displays a deep knowledge of the topic but supplements each one with detailed pictures. Mr Freeman writes well and I find his explanations well reasoned and easy to understand.

Post processing is a big part of digital Black and White photography. Photoshop/Camera Raw curves and color sliders are used to explain many of the processing steps, but these are common in most photo processing software. I like the way the author discusses a topic, shows an original color photo, its default transformation to black and white, followed by several steps showing effects of changing one or two hues.

Digital processing is just one of the four sections in the book:

1. The Black and White Tradition
2. Digital Monochrome
3. Creative Choices
4. Printing and Display

The two hundred plus large size pages are quite absorbing.

This volume fits with Michael Freeman's other books in these respects: Its the same size, Mr. Freeman's writing is accessible and clear, There is plenty of good information and how-to-do-it examples. I have read two other books by Mr. Freeman and like them very much.

The bad is the production of the book. There are obvious and easy to catch misspellings. Sentences that make no sense. Sentences that aren't. On one page two of the example graphics are incorrectly labelled (the labels were switched and the examples and descriptions were opposites). All this carried on throughout (I had hoped the situation would improve as the book went on - it didn't). On the first page of each section there are several lines of boldface type. I thought it would be a very brief overview or a short pertinent quote from the text. No, although it is located halfway down the page, it is the beginning of the text. You must read it first.

I'm glad Mr. Freeman's newer book(s) are from Focal Press, they seem to have a much better grasp on putting together a quality product.

I have purchased many of Michael Freeman's books. This one meets all of the excellent standards that I like and respect about his writings. I particularly found his comparisons with color imaging and silver based photography stimulating. The only criticism I have is the poor proof reading. There are many misspelled words, words left out, etc. As a result reading the book can be a bit tedious. This was not the case with the authors other books.

I have to agree with earlier reviewers.
1. The subject matter of the book is excellent, Freeman is a great author and the material is comprehensive and well presented. It is a very well thought out and produced book except for ..
2. The standard of proof reading is appalling. Typos/ missed words on almost every page. I spotted several incorrect captions on photos or other illustrations, sometimes swapped, sometimes duplicated.

Still I have to give it 4 stars, I learned a lot and have returned to it for reference since finishing it.

I have several of Michael Freeman's books and find him to be one of my favorite authors on things photographic. The Black and White book is a complete coverage of B&W in the digital world of photography. The opening section, The Black and White Tradition, is a gem of the history and impact of B&W photography. The entire book is profusely illustrated with photos and screen captures of processing steps.
I do have a bone to pick -- a bone in previous works of Freeman's from Lark Books--and that is the disturbing frequency of typos and missing words. Looks to me like poor editing on the part of Lark and over-reliance on spell-checkers for proofing. Come on Lark, you can do better in that department.

I've been shooting B&W for almost 60 years, but I appreciated the author's revisiting of the medium's history, and the philosophy that kept many of us shooting B&W long after good color films were commonplace. As a general introduction to B&W photography, this is an excellent book. Most of the technical information is slated toward Photoshop CS4, I think, as that's the latest version mentioned in this 2011-publication book. A handful of good alternative software packages are mentioned, but not covered in great detail. There have been comments here about the author's understanding of Photoshop tools, but there are many ways to convert a color image to monochrome. Ultimately, it's the photographer's eye, coupled with a willingness to spend time learning what all the menu options do, that will produce good results. Good photography is hard work. Pressing the shutter release is easy; what you do before and after are what matter.

This "Complete Guide" covers all the facets of digital B&W photography, and on opening the book one is immediately impressed by the design. Echoing others' complaints, where it falls down is in proof-reading! I will think twice before buying another Lark Press book for this reason alone. Yes, the images are helpful and, even with the typos, the text is informative. But the typos and either flipped illustrations or erroneous captions become intrusive in a hurry. Given the production costs and the costs of licensing Ansel Adams' and others' photos, a few hundred extra bucks for a proof reader doesn't seem out of line. Still, if you're interested in exploring black-and-white digital photography and you have a DSLR and Photoshop CS4 or later, you'll find a great deal of helpful information and inspiration in this book.

As good as Freeman's The Photographer's Eye is, this title is pathetic. Page after page of copy-editing errors, incorrect captions, misunderstanding the software---the list goes on and on. Clearly this book was rushed into print and never even proofed by the author. Only buy this if you enjoy lighting cigars with Jacksons. A much better choice is Beardmore's Advanced Black & White Digital Photography. While not perfect, at least Beardmore proofed his book and seems to have a grasp of the conversion tools in PS & LR.