[Tig] instinctive contrast

[Robert Lovejoy]

     Tom is of course correct that black and white film yields a 
different look than desaturated color stock.  However, I have no problem 
if clients bring color stock and want a black and white look.  One 
approach worth consideration is tweaking the telecine neg match (I 
remember PEC's!) to emulate panchromatic or orthochromatic stock (see 
http://www.photo.net/learn/optics/edscott/pss00030.htm ) by varying TK 
RGB before summing to mono. Instead of first making a balanced color 
picture before dropping chrominance, play up the spectral differences 
available in color stock.   Using the green channel only is interesting, 
but when you mix in varying amounts of red and/or blue you get different 
results. 
     Of course contrast is still going to need (instinctive) adjustment, 
but the beauty of the suite is the ability to experiment in real time 
and derive images that please your client.  While nothing looks exactly 
like black and white film, you can certainly get interesting results 
from color stock by emulating and tweaking panchromatic and 
orthochromatic response.

Bob Lovejoy
Shooters Post & Transfer
Philadelphia, PA