Petteri's Pontifications: Digital Black and White
Finnish photographer Petteri Sulonen has published a comprehensive guide to the world of digital black and white photography. It’s an excellent article that’s well worth bookmarking and printing out for future reference.
“Black and white was what first got me “seriously” into photography. While I never attained real mastery in black and white printing, I have spent a long time in various darkrooms. I still enjoy the aesthetic of black and white a great deal, and of course have tried to get the “look” I like in digital as well. Thanks to a lot of experimentation, some reading up, and tips from people who are a lot better at it than I am, I’m finally starting to see the kinds of results I wanted. In particular, thanks to Jim Fuglestad, aka Shutter at DPReview, who thought up the “dodge and soft light” technique described in this essay.”