Joel Tjintjelaar

In part 1 of this series I discussed when and why you can or should use the HDR techniques in your photography. In this final part I will discuss how you can use HDR specifically for B&W.

Bringing up the structure

HDR really brings up the structure of objects, especially objects like wood or rocks. It actually depends on how you tonemap a certain image. Bringing up the tonal contrast of an image will give more detail to structures. You can bring up this contrast by adjusting the strength or micro-contrast when using Photomatix. Just take a look at this image.

— Stumbled upon a Stump by Joel Tjintjelaar

There are two reasons why I used HDR for this image.
1. It was getting dark. In order to properly expose the stump, I had to use a long shutterspeed. But using a longer shutterspeed would overexpose the sky.
2. I wanted to emphasize the structure of the stump.
This image could have worked in color too. But…I wanted to emphasize the structure of the stump and when doing this image in color, the eye would get distracted by all the colors. This usually happens when using HDR: the colors distract the eye from the subject and the composition, as I proved in Part 1 of this series. When bringing up the structure of objects, I think black and white works best.

Catching the right light

Another reason to use HDR for B&W is to create specific effects. In this image I not only wanted to capture the building, but the blue sky with some clouds too. Since my camera can’t handle all those stops in one shot, I had to use HDR.

— Rivium Quarter – Schouten Building Rotterdam BW by Joel Tjintjelaar

I especially wanted the deep blue sky, because it gives great results when converting an image to B&W. Simply simulate the effect of a red filter and your blue skies turn to pitch black. With the white clouds and the mostly white building, this gives a great contrast overall. It also gives a great contrast between the building and the sky.
Simulating a red filter, or any color filter, can be done in various ways, depending on which conversion method you use.

— Calculations

1. Use Calculations. Just go to Image ? Calculations and set Channel under Source 1 to Red.
2. With the Black and White tool. Go to Image ? Adjustments ? Black and White and select the Red Filter preset.

— BW Tool

3. Using third party software, like Silver Efex Pro. Those programs usually have a build in filter mode.

Conclusion

So, can you use HDR for you black and white images? I do think so.
Although skies and structure are perfect subjects for your HDR black and white images, basically anything can be used. Don’t forget that HDR is just a technique that helps you to expose your images better. A badly exposed image will look bad in color and in B&W. I encourage you to try out new techniques, you might find the result pleasing.

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