Color to B&W ~ your thoughts

[fmkjr]

I took this picture at my father in laws 81st bday party two weeks ago. He was talking to my granddaughter. The original appears a little over saturated (I was playing with the saturation on my D50 prior to taking the shot)... ??
I converted to BW and did some cropping. There is a table in the background but other than cloning, I am not sure if there is anything else that can be done.

I wanted to give it to him as a "gift". He just suffered a stroke (last night).

Thoughts?

Original

http://fmkjr.smugmug.com/photos/140936792-S.jpg

Converted

http://fmkjr.smugmug.com/photos/140936507-S.jpg

[pathfinder]

The crop of the second image is much stronger.

There is a lot, a whole lot, or orange in the first image.

The card table should be able to be cloned out rather easily whether in color or B&W, and I think this will improve the image also by keeping the eyes attention on the two subjects.

I hope your father-in-law recovers quickly from his illness.

[fmkjr]

http://fmkjr.smugmug.com/photos/140945564-S.jpg

[anitasfocus]

Hi there,
I like it much better without that table.

[fmkjr]

Thank you!

I took it to him last night and he liked it. :D

frank

[bham]

I always tend to add some contrast to my black & whites, personal preference.

[fmkjr]

I always tend to add some contrast to my black & whites, personal preference.

In Photoshop, what do you use to add the contrast?

frank

[HeatherMC]

In Photoshop, what do you use to add the contrast?

frank

image>adjustments>brightness/contrast

[bham]

image>adjustments>brightness/contrast

exactly. besides contrast I usually add some brightness it brings out more contrast.

http://smugmug.com/photos/142411320-M.jpg

[fmkjr]

I will try both techniques in my future shots!
frank

[davev]

Try doing something like this. http://davev.smugmug.com/gallery/2618305

With your color shot, move the hue slider around, it gives the table cloth a neat affect.

[fmkjr]

Very interesting! I will try it too!
:clap
frank