B&W question for photogs

[Luckylove]

I have no idea how to get the depth some of you have with your b&w. I figure with Ethan coming and being under that hospital lighting I should learn now. Here is a pic that I was playing with trying to get it right but I just cant seem to. So do you ladies remove the color first and then adjust the depth/lighting in curves? Here is my attempt. Lighting is florescent gym lighting.

Original

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kirchens/2224072836/" title="Brent BB game9.jpg by kirchenkathleen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/2224072836_39890c8af8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Brent BB game9.jpg" /></a>

My attempt

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kirchens/2224094518/" title="Brent BB game9bw.jpg by kirchenkathleen, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/2224094518_d9e1ab52da.jpg" width="500" height="361" alt="Brent BB game9bw.jpg" /></a>

Any tips/suggestions?

[becky]

Kathleen I think you did a great job. :)

I'm sure each photo here has their own style and method of editing bw photos. This is my attempt with your same photo. I tend to like a darker image over all but not overly contrasty which is more my style.

I use adjustment layers in photoshop to create the look i want for my bws. I start with a hue/saturation layer to convert everything to BW without loosing the color info, then i use a levels layer to get the over all look i want and then i will often finish up with a brightness/contrast layer depending on the image. I hope this helps.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/2224720488_e7cb9772b4_o.jpg

[LMS]

i like your b/w kathleen. I like two types of bw... I like the more white based b/w's (like yours) and the super contrasty, almost grungy b/w's.
One tip is that if you open a curves layer, make an "S" shaped curve to brighten your highlights and darken your shadows for more contrast.

[MS Photo]

Here's what I'd do :)
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc147/mariahsmith_photo/2224072836_39890c8af8.jpg

Increase the blacks and then add back in a little color...but I like the warm brownish bw look...if you want more depth, just keep increasing the blacks!

BTW, very very cute pic...hope you don't mind that I cropped it a bit..

[jellybeanmichelle]

What program are you using to do this?
My camera has b/w features on it.

[Brookepanda]

Michelle you get a really flat picture when you use the b&w setting in your camera.
I beleive Kathleen is using photoshop for her editing.