New B&W Conversion Plug-in

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muir

New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby muir » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:51 am

For anyone who is interested in converting photos to Black and White there is a brand new photoshop plug-in released from Nik Software that does the most amazing B&W conversions I have seen with little to no effort on your part. They have built up the software to accurately simulate different film types and allow you to adjust many parameters if you are someone who likes to fiddle. It's called Silver Efex Pro. See link below:

http://www.niksoftware.com/silverefexpro/usa/entry.php

It is pricey, but if you are like me and have always admired these beautiful contrasty B&W images that some photographers are able to produce but I can't get at via channel mixer etc on photoshop then this could be for you.

I came across it as a beta product earlier this year at Photoshop world and have grown to really like it.

Muir

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Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby BarbaraC » Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:18 pm

I already love the black-and-white conversion that CS3 now has built in, but I also know the quality of Nik software. Does it run rings around CS3?

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muir

Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby muir » Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:07 am

Barbara,
In my opinion yes ... it blows away CS3 in terms of the results you can get in a short amount of time. One of the unique things I think is the way grain is built in ... to me it looks very realistic vs blended. Nik claim the image data is reconstructed using specific grain parameters to get this look. I'm sure it's not for everyone given the cost. Take a look at the free demo.
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Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby BarbaraC » Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:07 am

I dare not look at the demo because then I'd want something I can't currently have. :(

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Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby rkligman » Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:43 pm

Good choice Barbara. I've been using it and it's damn addictive and can produce excellent results in no time. A few samples:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

PS. In case you're wondering where I've been, unlike last year where I was out shooting once a month, I've been out A LOT this year and I've been processing images everyday this year. I haven't had any time to create any slideshows! Just when I think I see some time, in come new photos. Problems, problems, problems.
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Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby BarbaraC » Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:51 pm

I will not buy any new software.
I will not buy any new
I will not buy any
I will not buy
I will not
I will
I

So, Rick, you chose to show up for the single purpose of torturing me?

Glad to hear you're doing so much. What better thing to get buried in than what we love most?

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Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby Jan*D*Photography » Wed Aug 13, 2008 7:10 pm

Oh yeah :)
I recently got an email about that from the Nik people....I have been looking into getting one of their products...just can't decide between Viveza or the Color Efex Pro. Saw them demo'd at a photography conference and they really looked amazing.
I think I need a brand new computer to keep up with my software wants :) :) :)
The Silver one looks cool as well !
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Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby debngar » Wed Aug 13, 2008 7:45 pm

In case you're wondering where I've been, unlike last year where I was out shooting once a month, I've been out A LOT this year and I've been processing images everyday this year. I haven't had any time to create any slideshows! Just when I think I see some time, in come new photos. Problems, problems, problems.


Hi Rick!

It's great to hear from you again. I hope we get to see a slide show soon of some of your fabulous shots. The ones you posted are very cool. 8)
Debbie
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Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby BarbaraC » Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:42 am

Jan, Color Efex Pro is a fabulous piece of software. (I shall say no more. :D )

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Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby Jan*D*Photography » Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:12 am

Barbara,
That's what I was afraid of........................ :D :D :D :D :P
Thanks !
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Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby nannybear » Thu Aug 14, 2008 1:59 pm

So much software so little coins...... :~ {
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Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby rkligman » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:22 pm

Oh, so you are interested in Color Efex. In that case:

You should stay away from Bi-Color Filters
Image

Image

Bleach Bypass:
Image

I can't remember off hand exactly what I used here, but it was in Color Efex
Image

Vignette Blur:
Image

Old Photo:
Image

Solarization (hey, I had to find some use for this filter!)
Image

Ink:
Image

Vignette:
Image

Just to show a few.
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Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby rkligman » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:27 pm

debngar wrote:
In case you're wondering where I've been, unlike last year where I was out shooting once a month, I've been out A LOT this year and I've been processing images everyday this year. I haven't had any time to create any slideshows! Just when I think I see some time, in come new photos. Problems, problems, problems.


Hi Rick!

It's great to hear from you again. I hope we get to see a slide show soon of some of your fabulous shots. The ones you posted are very cool. 8)


Thanks Deb. I've been itching to get back. I opened the app last week and it was like seeing it again for the first time. It's been 3 months since I did the Civil War. I'm going to have to jump in and just do something short and rockin' with no real purpose other than to flash a few photos with a cool song.
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Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby debngar » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:40 pm

I'm going to have to jump in and just do something short and rockin' with no real purpose other than to flash a few photos with a cool song.


I'm game. Let's see what ya got! :wink: I need a virtual break from my boring PC housekeeping tasks I'm doing right now - archiving shows etc among other things.

I'm loving those Bi-Color filter images!
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Re: New B&W Conversion Plug-in

Postby BarbaraC » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:52 pm

I can't for the life of me remember the name of the specific filter, but it creates a soft image such as you'd get with a nylon stocking stretched across the lens. I've used that one so much that I've probably worn it through to the other side. No, wait a minute. That's what we used to say about vinyl records. Never mind.

Barbara
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