Portraits; B&W vs Sepia?

Camera Fun

Senior Member
I've starting to enjoy the look of B&W portraits/photographs that I've seen on this site so I'm considering possibly trying that in the future. For comparison, I've also wondered about sepia images. What pluses and minuses are there when comparing B&W vs sepia? Thanks.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I've starting to enjoy the look of B&W portraits/photographs that I've seen on this site so I'm considering possibly trying that in the future. For comparison, I've also wondered about sepia images. What pluses and minuses are there when comparing B&W vs sepia? Thanks.

I think it's just a question of personal taste. I find that sepia gives me a little bit of warmth, making the skin look better, but that's just me.
 

STM

Senior Member
"Sepia toning" can give an old timey feel to an image but it can also be overdone. As Marcel states, it can also add warmth to an image. I have down the image below both with a sepia "tone" and the original black and white. I like them both but actually lean more toward the one on the left.

 

Krs_2007

Senior Member
Agreed, it's a personal preference and each picture requires it's own type of processing. I know I couldn't say one way or another as a standard response.

Both have their place.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
I've starting to enjoy the look of B&W portraits/photographs that I've seen on this site so I'm considering possibly trying that in the future. For comparison, I've also wondered about sepia images. What pluses and minuses are there when comparing B&W vs sepia? Thanks.

I havent noticed a lot of sepia toned BW pics on the net the last few years. when I was shooting film a few years back it very much in. if youre asking between sepia and BW, its a favor of 90%bw to 10% sepia for me.

nik silver fx is very nice if you do a lot of BW.

I prefer a light effect of sepia if any. you can do this with adding red and yellow in color balance. I like to use a subtle hint of it.
 
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