Luminous Landscape Forum
Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Digital Image Processing => Topic started by: Andy M on November 27, 2006, 07:57:21 pm
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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?
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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?
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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
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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
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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 (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 (http://www.atncentral.com/download.htm) and scroll to the b/w conversion section and choose the Gorma b/w action.
Diane
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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.
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I like Exposure from http://www.alienskin.com/ (http://www.alienskin.com/) like many companie they offer a 30d trial
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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?
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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.
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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 (http://www.russarmstrong.com/archives/Rendell's-Boyz-0b-thumb.jpg)
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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Thanks again
I shall be trying a few of the tips here tomorrow when I have more time