Grayscale

[sandking]

Does anyone know how to make a grayscale? Or where do I get them?

 

[gketell]

What kind of greyscale are you talking about? Just a "taper" from medium grey to white? Or black to medium grey? Or do you want a graduated "staircase" of greys like 100%/90/80/70/60/etc?

If you have a photo editing package most of them have the ability to create a "gradient". If your does just create a new document the size you want then set your colors to "starting grey" and "ending grey" and make a gradient from top to bottom of the document. Then just print. If it is true grey then even a laserjet printer will give you a nice printout.

If you don't have software, just answer the questions above and I will try to make one for you.
GK

 

[ChrisinOR]

As previously stated, a grayscale can be created using most photo editing software. Thing to know... simply changing a photo from color to grayscale generally won't create a desirable image. Usually some tweaking of the image is required. I'll post a couple examples here in a few minutes...

Chris

Alrighty...

Here's the original image:

<br />

Now here's the original image converted to grayscale:

<br />

Now here's the original picture taken in B&W mode on the camera:

<br />

Finally the edited version of the original image taken in color, converted to grayscale:

<br />

Quite a bit of difference between all the images. The converted grayscale and the B&W have few differences but when compared side by side you can see the differences.

For me, I really like the soft glow of the bottom image. Some of the clarity is lost during the difuse, however I feel the picture has a more artistic value to it. For instances where you are trying to keep the maximum amount of detail and clarity but still want the "B&W" effect, I simply recomend taking your pictures in B&W. For some reason grayscale looks less natural, IMO...

Chris

 

[sandking]

Sorry for the confusion. I was referring to a Gray Card.

 

[DCBluesman]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=101853&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

 

[gketell]

Yes, B&H has many grey cards. And they have the stepped greys for comparing your darkness (usually used in a darkroom). But, to my knowledge, they don't have gradient grey cards/backgrounds.

As I offered earlier, if you can tell me what you want I can build it for you, if you need it.

GK

 

[sandking]

Thanks Greg. I don't need a gradient card for backgrounds. I was looking for a gray card to put in the bottom of my photos so that when I load the picture in the computer I can use photoshop to set the Black, gray and white colors. I saw a post of here where the person used that and it cleaned up the color nicely.

 

[DCBluesman]

Joe - the link I posted above will get you to the grey card you are looking for. It's $3.50 plus shipping.

 

[gketell]

Ahhh ok. Yes, BHPhotovideo.com or adorama.com are your best sources for those.
It looks like BH is out of the Kodak cards (aka cheaper). Adorama has the GretagMacbeth mini 3-color here:
http://www.adorama.com/GHMM3SGS.html?searchinfo=gray%20card&item_no=4

I use the Kodaks because I didn't want to spend $50+ on a GretagMacbeth. It works great for me. You can look in my photo gallery. I use it to set the white balance of my camera and then I use it to set the manual exposure of the shot before I put the pen in place.

GK

GK

 

[Chuck Key]

I picked up a gray card from the local Ritz Camera. The package contains two 8x10 18% gray cards for around $10.00.

Chuckie

 

[bob393]

Looks like you got it!

 

[kiddo]

Originally posted by ChrisinOR
<br />As previously stated, a grayscale can be created using most photo editing software. Thing to know... simply changing a photo from color to grayscale generally won't create a desirable image. Usually some tweaking of the image is required. I'll post a couple examples here in a few minutes...

Chris

Alrighty...

Here's the original image:

<br />

Now here's the original image converted to grayscale:

<br />

Or maybe a little of both?