Author Topic: colour or black and white images (Read 7625 times)

jwsc101 · « **on:** August 22, 2012, 15:49 »

Hi

For my 'normal' photography I tend to prefer black and white images but have usually stuck with submitting colour images for stock. I am starting to ask myself why?

Does anyone have any experience on acceptance rates and/or sales of B&W images? I mainly submit to dreamstime.

thanks

tab62 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2012, 16:12 »

FYI

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/black-and-white/

sharpshot · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2012, 17:36 »

Is there anyone doing well just selling b&w? I have tried a few but I think buyers can just turn my colour photos in to b&w if they want.

Grisho · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2012, 17:47 »

My best selling photograph is a black and white image from New York. It didn't look that good in colour. There are images which just stand out if they are in black and white, but it has to done very carefully - not just converting the image to monochrome.

Perry · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2012, 18:28 »

Quote from: sharpshot on August 22, 2012, 17:36

Is there anyone doing well just selling b&w? I have tried a few but I think buyers can just turn my colour photos in to b&w if they want.

Most of people are not able to do a GOOD conversion to B/W, they don't understand how to filter etc.

I have a few black and white images, they do sell. I have converted the images to B/W either because
#1 it suits the subject
#2 the image has bad color (mixed light sources or bad props)

tab62 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2012, 22:23 »

I personally like b/w for more detail on some of my pics (fish photos for example) but have never attempted to upload them to the hungry stock editors...

microstockphoto.co.uk · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2012, 01:34 »

Quote from: Perry on August 22, 2012, 18:28

Most of people are not able to do a GOOD conversion to B/W, they don't understand how to filter etc.

Exactly. Everyone can convert RGB to Grayscale, but that's not how proper b/w is supposed to work.

E.g., reds and greens look almost the same with a simple desaturation, while they used to look quite different on film. We can simulate film profiles and get better b/w conversion than most customers can.

gyllens · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2012, 02:49 »

Quote from: microstockphoto.co.uk on August 23, 2012, 01:34

Quote from: Perry on August 22, 2012, 18:28
Most of people are not able to do a GOOD conversion to B/W, they don't understand how to filter etc.

Exactly. Everyone can convert RGB to Grayscale, but that's not how proper b/w is supposed to work.

E.g., reds and greens look almost the same with a simple desaturation, while they used to look quite different on film. We can simulate film profiles and get better b/w conversion than most customers can.

Mixing channels is the way to go. Good for Ansel Adams type of photography.

Wim · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2012, 03:10 »

I have a few popular B&W sellers but nothing like color variants.
Also most agencies will reject these because of the simple fact that the buyer is limited in his editing.
Perry is correct, if the image lacks color variation or the lighting is bad then most of the time it will look a lot better in B&W.
You still have to work the image but I think you are already capable of that since it's your main style of photography.

Good luck with reviews if you're taking that route mate

WarrenPrice · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2012, 13:01 »

I sell a few B&W images. Things like old steam trains, farm life, "historical/nostalgic" stuff.

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Author Topic: colour or black and white images (Read 7625 times)

jwsc101

tab62

sharpshot

Grisho

Perry

tab62

microstockphoto.co.uk

gyllens

Wim

WarrenPrice

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