Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Recommend a Good B&W Photoshop plug-in?  (Read 5166 times)

Andy M

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 333
    • http://
Recommend a Good B&W Photoshop plug-in?
« on: November 27, 2006, 07:57:21 pm »

I'm currently searching for a good B&W Photoshop plug-in but wanted to seek advice before spending my hard earned.

The two I've heard the most positive noises about are: The Imaging Factory's B&W converter, and Fred Miranda's B&W plug-in.

Has anybody used the above, or have any other recommendations?
Logged

Eric Myrvaagnes

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 22814
  • http://myrvaagnes.com
    • http://myrvaagnes.com
Recommend a Good B&W Photoshop plug-in?
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2006, 08:57:59 pm »

Quote
I'm currently searching for a good B&W Photoshop plug-in but wanted to seek advice before spending my hard earned.

The two I've heard the most positive noises about are: The Imaging Factory's B&W converter, and Fred Miranda's B&W plug-in.

Has anybody used the above, or have any other recommendations?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=87443\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I've been using ConvertToBW Pro (The Imaging Factory) for some time now and I love it. It is very easy to use and makes it easy to see what you are going to get before you make the choice.

I haven't tried Fred Miranda's.

Eric
Logged
-Eric Myrvaagnes (visit my website: http://myrvaagnes.com)

picnic

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 574
Recommend a Good B&W Photoshop plug-in?
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2006, 11:39:53 pm »

Quote
I've been using ConvertToBW Pro (The Imaging Factory) for some time now and I love it. It is very easy to use and makes it easy to see what you are going to get before you make the choice.

I haven't tried Fred Miranda's.

Eric
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

There is a free one called Virtual PHotographer--
[a href=\"http://www.optikvervelabs.com/]http://www.optikvervelabs.com/[/url]  and Greg Gorman has a wonderful workflow available on his site  http://www.gormanphotography.com/gorman.html and go to learn.  There is also an action created from this workflow that is very flexible
http://www.atncentral.com/download.htm and scroll to the b/w conversion section and choose the Gorma b/w action.

Diane
Logged

Jonathan Wienke

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5829
    • http://visual-vacations.com/
Recommend a Good B&W Photoshop plug-in?
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2006, 04:55:24 am »

Quote
I've been using ConvertToBW Pro (The Imaging Factory) for some time now and I love it. It is very easy to use and makes it easy to see what you are going to get before you make the choice.

I use it as well, and recommend it highly.
Logged

GregW

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 306
    • http://
Recommend a Good B&W Photoshop plug-in?
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2006, 06:18:41 am »

I like Exposure from http://www.alienskin.com/ like many companie they offer a 30d trial
« Last Edit: November 28, 2006, 06:28:59 am by GregW »
Logged

Andy M

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 333
    • http://
Recommend a Good B&W Photoshop plug-in?
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2006, 07:09:45 am »

Thanks guys

Having a good search round the internet for more recommendations, I've gone for The Imaging Factory's B&W converter. Virtual PHotographer appears to be for PC only.

Then it hit me, in truth I don't know what makes a good B&W picture. It's totally alien to me having always worked in colour.

Those of you who use The Imaging Factory's converter - have you fallen upon a particularly nice 'look' with it? If so, do you mind me asking which settings work best?
Logged

Jonathan Wienke

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5829
    • http://visual-vacations.com/
Recommend a Good B&W Photoshop plug-in?
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2006, 08:40:14 am »

I rarely use the same settings twice when converting to B&W; IMO there really isn't a "one size fits all" approach that works well for all images. What I generally do is start with the color filter and fiddle till I see something I like, then refine it with the color EQ and the multigrade settings. If the color filter doesn't give me anything I like by itself, I just turn it off and use the color EQ and multigrade settings by themselves.
« Last Edit: November 28, 2006, 08:48:45 am by Jonathan Wienke »
Logged

russell a

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 389
    • www.russarmstrong.com
Recommend a Good B&W Photoshop plug-in?
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2006, 10:24:47 am »

I have, over time, sampled trial versions of many of the plug-ins and other B&W conversion tools and have determined that, for me, I can best use Photoshop's tools to achieve what I want.  I'm with Jonathan that one size doesn't fit all.  I convert using Channel Mixer.  The biggest improvement in my B&W images has been the mid-tone separation that DxO yields.  That, and DxO's micro-contrast option is sometimes useful.  Kicking up the micro-contrast can provide a gritty Tri-X look.  See the image below.

I always take the recommendations of those who have shelled out bucks for a plug-in with a grain of salt.   Cognitive dissonance may be in play.  

Election Day, Philly 2006
Logged

Eric Myrvaagnes

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 22814
  • http://myrvaagnes.com
    • http://myrvaagnes.com
Recommend a Good B&W Photoshop plug-in?
« Reply #8 on: November 28, 2006, 11:22:23 am »

I'm with Jonathan on this. Just moving the color filter slider  (in ConvertToBW Pro) side to side is a great way to learn what works best for a given photo. As you move the slider, different parts of the image stand out more. I generally go through the entire range several times before picking my favorite for a particular image. I also compare it with the "no filter" setting, and then, as Jonathan says, "refine it with the color EQ and the multigrade settings."

Eric
Logged
-Eric Myrvaagnes (visit my website: http://myrvaagnes.com)

boku

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1493
    • http://www.bobkulonphoto.com
Recommend a Good B&W Photoshop plug-in?
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2006, 12:29:08 pm »

Quote
I'm with Jonathan on this. Just moving the color filter slider  (in ConvertToBW Pro) side to side is a great way to learn what works best for a given photo. As you move the slider, different parts of the image stand out more. I generally go through the entire range several times before picking my favorite for a particular image. I also compare it with the "no filter" setting, and then, as Jonathan says, "refine it with the color EQ and the multigrade settings."

Eric
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=87549\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Ditto here.

The tabs are layed out in the logical order of processing the image. I will visit and adjust each one in serial fashion. It is logical if you think of the B&W process.

1) Filtration choice (magnificent!)
2) Film Choice (although grain is not implemented)
3) Darkroom processing (love that polycontrast slider)
4) Toner processing (although paper stock tint is not implemented)
Logged
Bob Kulon

Oh, one more thing...[b

xmishx

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7
Recommend a Good B&W Photoshop plug-in?
« Reply #10 on: November 28, 2006, 12:49:40 pm »

I'm another Image Factory user and have been for 3 years. However, one thing I have been playing with is ACR. I can get very nice results when converting from a raw file. Play with your sliders after desaturating a file.

Ted
Logged
Ted Mishima
[url=http://www.mishimaphoto

Andy M

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 333
    • http://
Recommend a Good B&W Photoshop plug-in?
« Reply #11 on: November 28, 2006, 07:50:31 pm »

Thanks again

I shall be trying a few of the tips here tomorrow when I have more time
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up