I use the Topaz B&W tool (and with the installation of a separate, free,
app from Topaz it can be used from Lightroom). I took a quick look at
Silver Efex when trying Topaz out and decided that I could understand the
Topaz UI better. My current B&W workflow starts in Lightroom (4.0) for most
images (RAW originals) and usually gets into Photoshop Elements (9.0)
quickly where I can work on multiple layers and even use the Topaz tools on
multiple layers.
There is a trial version of the Topaz tools, although the one thing I
dislike is that they expect you to evaluate all of them in the same time
period (I may end up buying more than the Topaz B&W, Adjust, and Detail
tools I already have, but I tend to add on tools as my skills expand). I'd
recommend lining up a half dozen images that span the range of your
interests and dedicate a couple of hours to each one using each tool. I
found it hard to gauge the full tool in less than 10-15 hours of work.
Pete
On Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 11:27 AM, Bill <bill-lewis@...> wrote:
> A very good article I do see Silver Efex mentioned more than silver
> shadows which is seldom mentioned and has fallen from my list. In the
> process of watching Utube videos on Silver Efex I saw videos for Topaz B&W.
> It also looks to be a good product for much less than Silver Efex.
>
> Does anyone on the list use or have an opinion on Topaz B&W. This is one
> of several products from Topaz Labs that look similar to OnOne products.
> Needless to say the more I read and look the more confused I become I have
> Lightroom 4 and curently feel like I am standing in a pit at the base of
> the learning curve. I have watched a dozen or more videos on converting to
> B&W in Lightroom. I have just received Martin Evening's Lightroom 4 book
> and will look at what it has on B&W.
>
> So far the half dozen photos I converted in Lightroom are not what I would
> get from my darkroom. The blacks look black and the whites white but they
> seem to have too much in the midtones. This is my ability with the software
> and while I want to use lightroom properly for the immediate time I am
> looking for something that will assist in this so Silver Efex or Topaz B&W
> Silver Efex has an academic discount so for me retired and returning to
> College Classes the actual price is not that much more. I understand that
> Silver Efex will work stand alone or as a Photoshop plug-in while Topaz is
> only a plug-in. Probably either program would do more than I want but I am
> just trying to avoid buyers remorse.
>
> Bill Lewis
>
>
>
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