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| 'B&W Conversion' |
How you
can replicate the powerful black and white images?
While the
subject matter is no doubt the driving force behind the power of Louie's
images, the black and white processing adds an extra dimension which is
perfectly suited to the subject. Although the conversion process is a key part
in achieving this characteristic look and feel, the actual process of the final
black and white image begins at the capture stages.
'I try to
see a scene in black and white, and to visualise what I'll like to achieving in
the digital darkroom. This involves as sending the scene and spotting tonal
ranges, and then looking to capture these fully and to see what will work best
at the conversion stage.'
To do
this, you should try to spot scenes where the contrast between the light and
the dark areas is stark and will really stand out once converted. Juxtaposing
shadows and highlights is always particularly effective. As part of being true
to his documentary photography leanings, and wanting to get a true message of
the scene across, Louie is strict about what he does and doesn't to in the
digital darkroom.
'I make
sure that there is no manipulation in my images beyond what photographers could
archive in the wet darkroom of old. Contras changes are fine, as is burning and
dodging to get the contrast heightened, as are several other changes along
those lines.
'I
do, however, avoid any kind of artificial manipulation. I want to keep the
scene true to how I saw it with no further manipulation. I also never crop my
images-I want to use the frame to its full extent as a tool for telling the
story of a scene.
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