B&W

[S and S Patterson]

I am attempting to learn to take b&w snow images.  These are a couple from today.  I would love comments/help...especially help.  You will not hurt my feelings...I would like to get better at this.  These were taken in b&w, not converted from color.  Exif and a bigger view here in pbase: http://www.pbase.com/spatterson/image/53279419

 

http://www.pbase.com/spatterson/image/53279420

[Justin Holmes]

I like them, but especially the second. It seems more "black and white"
than the first, and I like the details in the fluffy snow. You might
try a tad more contrast, but you will want to be careful not the
overexpose the snow and lose details. What software do you use?

[Steve]

Elements....I did adjust levels and boost contrast on these, as well as
some usm. I seem to like b&w with quite a bit of contrast when I see
other peoples. I like the second better....just a better subject, and
it has more detail to focus on, I think.

[Justin Holmes]

You might try pushing the contrast a tad further. What elements lacks
natively (so I do in nikon capture) is the ability to independently set
black, mid, and white points. I would try setting the black point
higher and leaving the other two. You can get a curves add on for PSE 3
here
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/photoshop-elements-curves.html
and I seem to recall it working well.