I'am going to the Pa Coal region's over the weekend and was thinking of trying to shoot B&W,never tried before so I guess I'am asking what are some good base line settings.I should be getting my new Sigma 18-55 f2.8 today so I can't wait to try it.thanks Darren

If you would post the type of camera and software you use, we might be able to help more. In general I find that composition is different when I think B&W vs color. Exposure is the same. I do my B&W conversions in photoshop as I find it gives me the most control Many cameras have a B&W setting. They usually are not a bad place to start. Enjoy the shot, love what you are seeing.
Gary

D90 with a 50mm 1.4D Lightroom 2.0

Originally Posted by dirtfan I'am going to the Pa Coal region's over the weekend and was thinking of trying to shoot B&W,never tried before so I guess I'am asking what are some good base line settings.I should be getting my new Sigma 18-55 f2.8 today so I can't wait to try it.thanks Darren

do yourself a favor and just shoot in raw. then you can have any kind of cake you want....

Originally Posted by dirtfan I'am going to the Pa Coal region's over the weekend and was thinking of trying to shoot B&W,never tried before so I guess I'am asking what are some good base line settings.I should be getting my new Sigma 18-55 f2.8 today so I can't wait to try it.thanks Darren

When I shoot in B&W, I generally shoot RAW. This lets me keep a color copy just in case the colors are amazing. Having a color copy also lets me do a more nuanced B&W conversion in Photoshop. I usually use the channel mixer adjustment layer or the Gorman-Holman (?) conversion action.

As far as in-camera settings go, I generally use the orange filter for a more contrasty B&W photograph, as this gets me closer to what I will most likely do in Photoshop later.

Good luck, and let us see the results!

—Brendan

If you are not experienced in shooting B&W, I would suggest you consider shooting in RAW + jpg. The RAW file will have all the color information if you decide you like the color ( it might happen!) and the jpg will let you see what a B&W image will look like. Think about a B&W conversion setting in the camera for and orange filter or a red filter - this will give dramatic dark skies with white fluffy clouds. You can still do a final B&W conversion in Photoshop from the RAW image, so the only real loss if a few more bits on your memory cards, and Compact Flash OR SD cards are cheap these days.

Shooting B&W is about form, and light and shadow.