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<blockquote data-quote="lorenbrothers" data-source="post: 509943" data-attributes="member: 41042">Interesting Question ... and not an easy one.I have been taking B/W for almost 50 years and it has become almost 2nd nature to me.&nbsp; I think that probably 'texture' is the most important thing to look for.&nbsp; The texture of the wood, the trees, the rock ... etc.&nbsp; But then again that might not always be the way to go for some scenes.You just sort of develop an eye for it.&nbsp; I know that's not much help.&nbsp; <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink&nbsp; &nbsp; ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />&nbsp; There is no magical formula except practice, practice, practice.&nbsp; And then you will start to know -- and feel what will work.One trap NOT to get into is over-processing a B/W photograph.&nbsp; Some people PS them to death and end up with something that looks like a crumpled piece of tin foil: sharp and abrasive.&nbsp; I, personally, like to just tap up the sharpness a tad, maybe add a touch to the contrast, and very seldom tweak the highlights a smidgen.Back in the 'good old days' it was always the rule to use the finest-grain lowest ASA film you could find and the most expensive high contrast paper you could afford.[ATTACH=full]188079[/ATTACH]Here is one that was just totally boring and mundane in color but took on a whole new life in B/W.&nbsp; Some of parts of it are sharp and some parts aren't but it makes a whole.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="lorenbrothers, post: 509943, member: 41042"] Interesting Question ... and not an easy one. I have been taking B/W for almost 50 years and it has become almost 2nd nature to me. I think that probably 'texture' is the most important thing to look for. The texture of the wood, the trees, the rock ... etc. But then again that might not always be the way to go for some scenes. You just sort of develop an eye for it. I know that's not much help. ;) There is no magical formula except practice, practice, practice. And then you will start to know -- and feel what will work. One trap NOT to get into is over-processing a B/W photograph. Some people PS them to death and end up with something that looks like a crumpled piece of tin foil: sharp and abrasive. I, personally, like to just tap up the sharpness a tad, maybe add a touch to the contrast, and very seldom tweak the highlights a smidgen. Back in the 'good old days' it was always the rule to use the finest-grain lowest ASA film you could find and the most expensive high contrast paper you could afford. [CENTER][ATTACH type="full" width="60%"]188079._xfImport[/ATTACH][/CENTER] Here is one that was just totally boring and mundane in color but took on a whole new life in B/W. Some of parts of it are sharp and some parts aren't but it makes a whole. [/QUOTE]

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