monochrome lotus

[teokf]

I have been converting my flower shots into b&w for a while now. Sometimes the conversion is a hit, sometimes it's a miss. Sometimes I like what I have renditioned but others do not. All in all, I find it to be fulfilling. So, this is my latest continuing journey.

Lotus flower by teokf, on Flickr

[Paniaa]

Wow lovely shot Steven. So clear and sharp, well balanced composition. Texture mmm ... mmm

[IzzieK]

Very dramatic curves of the leaves...nicely done.

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[teokf]

Pania, Izzie, John thanks for the view and comments.

Izzie, those are the petals of the lotus flower

[IzzieK]

Pania, Izzie, John thanks for the view and comments.

Izzie, those are the petals of the lotus flower

I know...but I have not seen one that are curly...most of the Asiatic one I've seen has flat leaves and roundish and petals are very ordinary looking...

[chauncey]

Steven...I like the image. Are the tips a little blown? Maybe, did you do a selection before the conversion...regardless it looks nice.

[PhotoRob]

I like it Steven, focus is sharp and the conversion is unique; really works. Care to share how you accomplished?

[teokf]

I know...but I have not seen one that are curly...most of the Asiatic one I've seen has flat leaves and roundish and petals are very ordinary looking...

Izzie, thot I post three type of Lotus flowers I have come across
1. this has two variations. a dark pinkish red colour and a white colour

2. this is the one I converted to b&w

3. the "live" flower also look like plastic. When I first came across this flower, I had to "break" one of the petals to see if it is real

[teokf]

Steven...I like the image. Are the tips a little blown? Maybe, did you do a selection before the conversion...regardless it looks nice.

thanks boyer, trying to be artistic by having bit of the tips blown a tiny bit. I did the LAB colors and channels as explained to Robert's question.

[teokf]

Care to share how you accomplished?

Definitely, Robert

For flowers, I firstly changed the Image/Mode to Lab Color.
Then select the Channels>Lightness (I sometimes experiment Lightness+a or Lightness+b)
Then Invert (Ctrl+I) the colours
Followed by changing the Image/Mode to RGB Color
Then Add the Black & White Adjustments.
Finally, use whichever PS tools to tweek the photo to my liking. If you noticed my reply to Izzie. The second photo is the same image as my B&W conversion. I cloned off the background in my final rendition of my B&W.

The above is the basic conversion. I like this conversion especially for flowers. For other type of B&W, I would use Nik's Silver Effex Pro

Hope the above explanation helps. Please feel free to ask if my explanation is not clear enough.

[Werner]

nice composition!

[IzzieK]

I am talking of beauties here -- #2 is really pretty and it seems dainty too. I like the curves of the petals, both in colour and B/W. You could have them side by side as a the before and after...

#3 looks like a candle-holder sort of thing. It is pretty too though #2 beats it. I like the way you shot #3 though. The centre glow is magnificent.

Izzie, thot I post three type of Lotus flowers I have come across
1. this has two variations. a dark pinkish red colour and a white colour

2. this is the one I converted to b&w

3. the "live" flower also look like plastic. When I first came across this flower, I had to "break" one of the petals to see if it is real

[teokf]

Hi Werner, Izzie

Sorry I have not replied earlier. I have been away shooting the milky way. Thanks for the comments

[Mike Buckley]

Terrific photo on many levels!

[teokf]

Terrific photo on many levels!

Mike, thanks for the compliments

[JR1]

What an absolutely refreshing change to see a good shot in mono

[teokf]

What an absolutely refreshing change to see a good shot in mono

Jeremy, thanks for the comments. Glad you liked it

[Wavelength]

Excellent image; the petals are so feminine

The colored images are water lilies, right? I have the first one here at home
Regards

[teokf]

the petals are so feminine ...

The colored images are water lilies, right?

This is the first time I heard it being described this way 8)
they are the same flower, the names are used interchangeably