(I)Black and White Photography: Capella Tower and B/W Adjustment Layer Tricks
November 14, 2009 by Alec
Filed under Landscapes
Today’s image is from a recently completed commercial shoot of the Capella Tower, downtown Minneapolis, MN. The management claims its the tallest skyscraper in Minneapolis by 1 foot, towering over the IDS building.
After completing my work in color for the client, I decided to play around with the image in black and white. Its MUCH different in black and white, especially with the treatment I used which I’ll share with you.
I used two adjustment layers and the first one is not intuitive, but a process I’ve started using more often because I really like the look. So, here it is:
1) On top of the background layer I added a Black and White adjustment layer, BUT I changed the adjustment layer blending mode to “Multiply.” You can experiment with different blending modes and just doing this can give a great effect to the color version of the image.
2) On top of that I added a second Black and White adjustment layer and worked the colors until I had what I wanted.
Simple. Play with blending modes on a Black and White adjustment layer. You’ll be very surprised with the results.
Cheers,
Alec
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Alec,
Excellent image, thanks for the tip! Gotham City!
Travis
946,
Yeah, it had that vibe I couldn’t quite place…Batman and Gotham. That’s it!
When I click on “multiply”, the color comes back. It’s much darker than before, but it’s there. Does that sound right?
Hey K Hawk!
Yes, saturated and higher contrast. Yep, you’re right on. Play with the different blending modes.
Alec,
This is an awesome photograph! I see this everyday while walking to and from work.
I’m curious though…
1) What building/floor were you in when you took this?
2) Are you able to share the color version as well? Just curious to compare the two.
Hey Shea!
Thanks for stopping by and the kind words.
1) I’m actually on the very top of Accenture in morning twilight. I got up there while it was still pitch dark;
2) I don’t want to post the color image until the client has received it. Then I can. There is a big difference though. In the color version its hard to detect nearly that much detail in the sky. The b/w treatment brought it out big time. The two images read very differently. Hopefully I can post it soon.
Cheers,
Alec
Wow – the tonal range and perspective are awesome! Thanks for sharing this technique!
I think because it’s in B/W, the image reminds me of early Futurist architectural drawings from the 1910-1930s.
Hi Amy,
Thanks for stopping by and for the comments. I too was pleasantly surprised by the effect. I’ve definitely made not of the original color palate and this process for future images.
Cheers,
Alec