Ayup! After returning to shooting ProRAW and editing in Lightroom, I’ve embraced the power of profiles. Monochrome profiles, to be precise. They offer a clean, consistent starting point without interfering with any of your settings, as a preset would.
A ProRAW image will automatically open in its own profile. For a quick and easy conversion to black and white, there’s also ProRAW Monochrome. But it doesn’t stop there, and this is where the magic happens: Adobe also offers 12 incredibly powerful B&W profiles.
A color profile is an .xmp file, very similar to a LUT for video footage, that fundamentally changes how Lightroom interprets the colors your camera sensor captured before you begin making adjustments in Lightroom.
Instant Transformation
As you flick through the Adobe profiles, you’ll see a preview of how it will affect your image. Honestly, the instant transformation is quite remarkable. On a few recent edits, applying a profile was all it took. Job done. A stunning-looking image with minimal effort.
Of course, most of the time you’ll want to further refine your look. As a foundation, though, it’ll immediately get you much closer to the finish line.
The imaging sensor at the heart of every digital camera is responsible for converting light into electrical signals. However, this information must be processed before it can be experienced as a photograph. Profiles are instructions used by a camera or processing software such as Lightroom to guide the interpretation of the raw sensor data, helping to define a resulting image’s look and feel.
Adobe B&W vs ProRAW Monochrome
The ProRAW Monochrome profile will usually give you a super-bright image. I always underexpose by 0.7, and it still comes out way too intense. That said, you can dive into your Light sliders (exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, whites and blacks) to dial in the mood you want to achieve.
Or, head to the Adobe B&W profiles instead (highly recommended). I’m fairly confident you’ll find a solid basis for the look you want here. High contrast? You got it. Prefer muted, matte blacks and subtle tones? You got that too, along with everything in between. Hell yeah!
Most of the options will instantly darken your image. Depending on the look you’re after, this is often a much-needed adjustment. I’m definitely feeling the moody, atmospheric vibe right now. Thankfully, lots of these profiles deliver just that.
We can just as easily apply (or switch) a profile as a finishing touch. It’s like another coat of paint we can add to an image. Like seasoning. We can build on it, or add it at the very end.
ProRAW + B&W Profile
This combo has really opened up the possibilities when working with ProRAW files in Lightroom. I can’t see myself ever needing anything more than the 12 Adobe B&W profiles. In fact, I purchased a set from a photographer I follow on YouTube and ended up deleting them.
They were extremely good, but I continually picked one of the built-in Adobe options instead. I’ve spent quite a long time refining my formats, tools, processes and workflow. Finally, it feels like all the pieces are slotting together perfectly. Happy days!
Lastly, I bet you’re waiting to find out my favourite B&W profile? No? Nobody? Ah well, here it is anyway: B&W 12 (or 11 if a little less contrast is needed). Rasied/muted/matte blacks and a generally calm, sophisticated look. Incredible!