Black and White conversion software?

Ross_Curtis

Ross_Curtis

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Hi all,

I've been using photoshop conversion for this which I've never been particularly happy with and I'm looking to invest in some software.
Looking for some advice as to which direction to go in.
I understand Silver EFEX Pro is the best, but I'm not looking to spend anywhere near that sort of money. Ideally sub £30.

Look forward to your recommendations.

Thanks
Ross
 
I have been using the B&W plug-in softwear by Topaz Labs in America with some fantastic results. Think I paid $29 for it!, well worth a look!
 
Nearly bought the Topaz software but my birthday came during my period of indecision so went for silver effex. Topaz software did very well in a review in Black and White photography magazine
 
Theres very little that can't be replicated given time and effort, but SE2 seems to do a really decent black and white out of the box, theres a film emulation which is harder to mimic in PS (but not impossible) it's main advantage is time, it's quick and easy to use and you do get a lovely B+W. For years I used the various tool in PS, but after trying SE I was hooked, I have a preset made for my style and it's pretty much a one click job now.
 
higgeh said:
i use lighroom for my black and white stuff. Bit stone age but i find it gives me a good level of control.
Click to expand...

One trick I use with lightroom is to make a preset.
on the hue/sat panel take all the individual saturations sliders to zero (not the global saturation) then make your preset, now for spot colour just bring one slider back up, if you need to hide any other colour bits just use the local ajustment brush with the saturation down to paint out anything you dont want.
 
swanseamale47 said:
Double post.
Click to expand...

Let me do a double one!!!

Another thank you for your link for an excellent bit of free software. I really have been absorbed for the last hour, or so, or so, or so, :clap:
 
Ross_Curtis said:
Thanks for the tips.
I'm now experimenting with Virtual Photographer.
Click to expand...

I can't decide which ones I like the most as there are so many choices :thinking:

Then it is clear but it's obvious anyway - different ones look better for different photos. So it would be good to hear of the ones yu find the most appealing and any pics you could put up to show us?

So frustrating and I blame Wayne for the link ;)
 
DayDreamer said:
I can't decide which ones I like the most as there are so many choices :thinking:

Then it is clear but it's obvious anyway - different ones look better for different photos. So it would be good to hear of the ones yu find the most appealing and any pics you could put up to show us?

So frustrating and I blame Wayne for the link ;)
Click to expand...

I'll give myself a serious talking too! ;)
 
This thread has prompted me to tidy up my "actions" in photoshop. I have various ones I have made and others I have downloaded, spend a few hours putting them all into different presets and giving them descriptive names so I can find the black and whites, soft tones, my portrait edits, etc etc so thanks to the OP for starting this thread.
 
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