Silver Efex Pro

[CathyH]

Hi
Just wanted to show a quick sample of what you get from converting a color photo into black and white.
1. desaturated
2. channels
3. Silver Efex
I thought this was pretty cool.

[Kraellin]

i'm a little surprised that the channels one came out better than the desat. as for the silver efex, looks like it does some sort of black point correction, which is nice.

[DannyRaphael]

I REALLY LIKE SEP. I was skeptical before trying it. It's my 2nd favorite plugin after Impressionist.

[Quantum3]

Adjustment layer gradient map. Then play with the sliders and opacity. Or F5, set black color and blend to color. You also have the Black & white adjustment layer in CS3 and later.

[CathyH]

Quantum I've never tried to convert to b/w that way before, I will look into it.
thanks.

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by CathyH

Quantum I've never tried to convert to b/w that way before, I will look into it.
thanks.

You can also use the channels mixer set to monochrohome. a bit hard to understand but it's also interesting.

[Nasturtium]

I'm really loving this one. I may just take the €€€ I was saving up for Painter and buy SEP instead.

[Mike Needham]

I'm not being contrary for the sake off, but I am a little non-plussed as to what the benefits of Silver Effex are over the native tools that I am more familiar with. I normally use a channel mix or other native tool, what does SE offer that I can't achieve or achieve less easily in Photoshop?

I did have a version I think that was bundled with a scanner I had, way back when, but the mists of time may confuse me.

[DannyRaphael]

Although I don't use SEP as much now as when I first got it, it has a control/setting ("High Structure") that IMO achieves unique and pleasing results I've not been able to replicate using the plethora of BW conversion methods in PS including BW adjustment layers, individual channels, Channel Mixer, Calculations and Apply Image gymnastics, etc. Can't say "High Structure" alone is worth the cost of the plugin, but since I took the plunge with v1.0, I'm glad it's in my toolbox.

I opted not to upgrade to v2.0, however. Not enough bang for the buck to justify the cost.

For those looking for very capable but less expensive alternatives, the BW Styler plugin from the Plugin Site and the new Topaz BW plugin have a lot of functionality. Free trials for a look-see and 64-bit compatible. I believe Topaz is still offering a hefty discount, but only for a few days as of October 5, 2011.

Virtual Photographer plugin is still free (32-bit only as far as I know); it has some interesting BW effects among all the others.

[Nasturtium]

Originally Posted by Mike Needham

what does SE offer that I can't achieve or achieve less easily in Photoshop?

If you're not into black and white then give it a pass. You can also just run a demo and form your own opinion.

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by Mike Needham

I'm not being contrary for the sake off, but I am a little non-plussed as to what the benefits of Silver Effex are over the native tools that I am more familiar with. I normally use a channel mix or other native tool, what does SE offer that I can't achieve or achieve less easily in Photoshop?

I did have a version I think that was bundled with a scanner I had, way back when, but the mists of time may confuse me.

They did what I wanted to do in year 2006: a plugin that contrast by zones. Silver Efex Pro 2 does it. Let me show an example.

Done with Lightroom on March 2, year 2006:

[Quantum3]

Finishing it in PS (took me 8 hours to select and leveled every zone):

[Quantum3]

Quickly done in less than a minute in Silver Efex Pro 2. With more time it would look exactly the same than the one I did in Lightroom and Photoshop.

[DannyRaphael]

Interesting article on SEP; shows examples, interface, etc:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/re...efex_pro.shtml

[Mike Needham]

OK, ok! I get it

You can also just run a demo and form your own opinion.

This seems like sound advice. The old adage of suck it and see.

Thanks for the examples Quantum3, it's good to see real world examples, and thanks for the article Danny.

I will definitely download the demo and try some real world testing.

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by Mike Needham

OK, ok! I get it

This seems like sound advice. The old adage of suck it and see.

Thanks for the examples Quantum3, it's good to see real world examples, and thanks for the article Danny.

I will definitely download the demo and try some real world testing.

It's a must have plug-in pal. You can get every B&W style you want. Even playing with curves in SEP2 isn't the same than in any other software... Curves seems to work like curves really should work. Combinations are endless!

have fun!!!

Ø3