On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:30:39 -0700, eNo wrote:

"The question of what makes a good Black and White (B&W) photograph has
puzzled me more than any other photography-related issue. Frankly, for
some time I operated under the principle that I never saw a B&W image
that didn’t look better in color. Then came a trip to Paris this last
spring. Following someone’s observation that “Paris was made for B&W
photography,” I gave B&W a try, even setting my camera to capture B&W
RAW files. I was amazed..."

You can read the rest of the write-up at:
http://esfotoclix.com/blog1/?p=464

[snip]

If you really want to learn to "see" in b&w, take a year off from digital
for a total immersion course: shoot nothing but b&w film, develop it
yourself, and print with an enlarger on real photographic paper. Shoot
lots of different b&w films, do lots of development tests with many
different film developers, learn how to use Contrast Filters, and use
lots of different photo papers while searching for your "style." And
read at least one good book on The Zone System. The entire process will
help you immensely with your digital b&w work, and you'll be a much
better photographer, too.


--
Fotoguy
BestInClass.com
"Personalized digital camera recommendations"
http://www.bestinclass.com/digital-cameras