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Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-11 by Danny Raphael

PREFACE
I understand there are many "non-plugin methods" for doing color to 
BW conversions, e.g. the L channel, the best of individual color 
channels, Calculations command, Channel Mixer, CS3 BW adjustment 
layer, dual Hue/Sat adjustment layers, etc. 

I've used each of these individually or in combination at one time or 
another.

==========

ARE YOU USING... (or have you evaluated) 

any of the following (or other) PLUGINS/SCRIPTS?:
* B/W Styler - www.thepluginsite.com
* BW Workflow Pro - www.FredMiranda.com 
* Black and White Studio - www.powerretouche.com
* Silver Efex Pro - www.niksoftware.com

OPINIONS
If so I'd be interested in your opinions, experiences, features you 
like, comparison commentary, etc. 

Thanks.

==========

If possible, please RESIST irrelevant "real men/women don't use 
plugins for this purpose" commentary, OK? :-) I understand the 
generic pros/cons of plugins, actions, etc.

Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-11 by Danny Raphael

PREFACE
I understand there are many "non-plugin methods" for doing color to 
BW conversions, e.g. the L channel, the best of individual color 
channels, Calculations command, Channel Mixer, CS3 BW adjustment 
layer, dual Hue/Sat adjustment layers, etc. 

I've used each of these individually or in combination at one time or 
another.

==========

ARE YOU USING... (or have you evaluated) 

any of the following (or other) PLUGINS/SCRIPTS?:
* B/W Styler - www.thepluginsite.com
* BW Workflow Pro - www.FredMiranda.com 
* Black and White Studio - www.powerretouche.com
* Silver Efex Pro - www.niksoftware.com

OPINIONS
If so I'd be interested in your opinions, experiences, features you 
like, comparison commentary, etc. 

Thanks.

==========

If possible, please RESIST irrelevant "real men/women don't use 
plugins for this purpose" commentary, OK? :-) I understand the 
generic pros/cons of plugins, actions, etc.

Re: [Digital BW] Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-11 by Debbi

Hi Danny,

  You didn't ask about this one, but I really love Photokit's B&W 
toning set. in particular the platinum.

  <http://www.pixelgenius.com/photokit/bw-toning.html>


Debbi
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>PREFACE
>I understand there are many "non-plugin methods" for doing color to
>BW conversions, e.g. the L channel, the best of individual color
>channels, Calculations command, Channel Mixer, CS3 BW adjustment
>layer, dual Hue/Sat adjustment layers, etc.
>
>I've used each of these individually or in combination at one time or
>another.
>
>==========
>
>ARE YOU USING... (or have you evaluated)
>
>any of the following (or other) PLUGINS/SCRIPTS?:
>* B/W Styler - www.thepluginsite.com
>* BW Workflow Pro - www.FredMiranda.com
>* Black and White Studio - www.powerretouche.com
>* Silver Efex Pro - www.niksoftware.com
>
>OPINIONS
>If so I'd be interested in your opinions, experiences, features you
>like, comparison commentary, etc.
>
>Thanks.
>
>==========
>
>If possible, please RESIST irrelevant "real men/women don't use
>plugins for this purpose" commentary, OK? :-) I understand the
>generic pros/cons of plugins, actions, etc.

Re: [Digital BW] Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-11 by Gary Weaver

Hi Danny,

For many, it's easier to shoot B&W film. I just use BWorks for digital and a couple other plug-ins, but I think film is still tops. Emulsion is a 3D object - or it used to be anyway. A plug-in to make tmax look like film would be nice.

gar

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********
Show quoted textHide quoted text
On 8/11/2008 at 5:50 PM Danny Raphael wrote:

>PREFACE
>I understand there are many "non-plugin methods" for doing color to 
>BW conversions, e.g. the L channel, the best of individual color 
>channels, Calculations command, Channel Mixer, CS3 BW adjustment 
>layer, dual Hue/Sat adjustment layers, etc. 
>
>I've used each of these individually or in combination at one time or 
>another.
>
>==========
>
>ARE YOU USING... (or have you evaluated) 
>
>any of the following (or other) PLUGINS/SCRIPTS?:
>* B/W Styler - www.thepluginsite.com
>* BW Workflow Pro - www.FredMiranda.com 
>* Black and White Studio - www.powerretouche.com
>* Silver Efex Pro - www.niksoftware.com
>
>OPINIONS
>If so I'd be interested in your opinions, experiences, features you 
>like, comparison commentary, etc. 
>
>Thanks.
>
>==========
>
>If possible, please RESIST irrelevant "real men/women don't use 
>plugins for this purpose" commentary, OK? :-) I understand the 
>generic pros/cons of plugins, actions, etc.
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, and other resources as
>they are often being updated.
>
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint
>
>If you wish to receive no emails or just a daily digest, or you wish to
>unsubscribe, please edit your Membership preferences by visiting this same
>page.
>
>Please follow these basic guidelines:
>- As threads develop, trim off excess portions of earlier messages to keep
>them short.
>- Good manners are required at all time. No personal attacks or flames.
>Hostile, aggressive or argumentative users may be removed from the
>membership without notice.
>- Keep your posts and threads related to the group topic of digital B&W
>printing. Users who persistently make off-topic posts may be removed from
>the membership.
>- By posting on this forum you agree to abide by the group rules and
>guidelines, and to abide by the actions and decisions of the group Owner
>and Moderators. See “Group Topic, Rules and Guidelines” in the Files
>section:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint/files/
>
>BY PARTICIPATING IN AND/OR POSTING MESSAGES TO THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT
>YAHOO! GROUP YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE “OWNER” AND
>“MODERATORS” OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO
>YOU FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR
>EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF
>PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF THE 
>“OWNER” AND “MODERATORS” OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP HAVE BEEN
>ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), RESULTING FROM: (i) THE USE
>OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP; (ii)
>UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA; (iii)
>STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT
>YAHOO GROUP; OR (iv) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE DIGITAL BW, THE
>PRINT YAHOO GROUP.
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Re: [Digital BW] Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-12 by Le Globe Trotteur

Well, I am using my own plug-in. I hope I am not violating any group rules.
A few months ago, I had written a standalone application for the creation of curves for alternative processes. The program had a B&W converter included and I did get some good feedback about it.
Well, I found out that I was switching back and forth between Photoshop and my program too much. I decided to write a plug-in instead.

The plug-in allows you to create 21 points curves for helping the creation of photos with alternative processes such as Silver, platinum....I know that part is not intended for this group. 
I am posting the info because inside the plug-in I have written a very good Black and White converter. The plug-in also has 2 filter. one to create Copyrights and the other one to make sloppy borders.

If you have any questions, please try to keep them off the list.
Here's the link: (I did redo my web site due to too many complaints)

Give it a try, you may like it.

http://www.PierreOlivierTavernier.com/podnc

Thanks.
PO
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: Danny Raphael 
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 1:50 PM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
Subject: [Digital BW] Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?


PREFACE
I understand there are many "non-plugin methods" for doing color to 
BW conversions, e.g. the L channel, the best of individual color 
channels, Calculations command, Channel Mixer, CS3 BW adjustment 
layer, dual Hue/Sat adjustment layers, etc. 

I've used each of these individually or in combination at one time or 
another.

==========

ARE YOU USING... (or have you evaluated) 

any of the following (or other) PLUGINS/SCRIPTS?:
* B/W Styler - www.thepluginsite.com
* BW Workflow Pro - www.FredMiranda.com 
* Black and White Studio - www.powerretouche.com
* Silver Efex Pro - www.niksoftware.com

OPINIONS
If so I'd be interested in your opinions, experiences, features you 
like, comparison commentary, etc. 

Thanks.

==========

If possible, please RESIST irrelevant "real men/women don't use 
plugins for this purpose" commentary, OK? :-) I understand the 
generic pros/cons of plugins, actions, etc.



 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: [Digital BW] Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-12 by Danny Raphael

Thanks for the insights, Gar. Good point about BW film. Did that many 
years ago. I am hooked on the flexibility and economy of digital now.

A highly regarded Nikonian instructor reported in a class I took that 
the new Nik plugin he beta tested does a very good job with grain 
simulation, so perhaps there is hope.

What other plugins do you use?

>
> Hi Danny,
> 
> For many, it's easier to shoot B&W film. I just use BWorks for 
digital and a couple other plug-ins, but I think film is still tops. 
Emulsion is a 3D object - or it used to be anyway. A plug-in to make 
tmax look like film would be nice.
> 
> gar

Re: [Digital BW] Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-12 by Danny Raphael

Thanks for the Pixelgenius tip, Debbi. Those guys definitely know their 
stuff.

Here's a site you might want to check:

http://www.butzi.net/articles/toning.htm

Besides a good educational source, one can download a .zip of .acv 
(Curves settings) files for image toning. 

djr
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>   You didn't ask about this one, but I really love Photokit's B&W 
> toning set. in particular the platinum.
> 
>   <http://www.pixelgenius.com/photokit/bw-toning.html>
> 
> Debbi

Re: [Digital BW] Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-12 by Debbi

Is this Mac and PC?
Debbi
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>Well, I am using my own plug-in. I hope I am not violating any group rules.
>A few months ago, I had written a standalone application for the 
>creation of curves for alternative processes. The program had a B&W 
>converter included and I did get some good feedback about it.
>Well, I found out that I was switching back and forth between 
>Photoshop and my program too much. I decided to write a plug-in 
>instead.
>
>The plug-in allows you to create 21 points curves for helping the 
>creation of photos with alternative processes such as Silver, 
>platinum....I know that part is not intended for this group.
>I am posting the info because inside the plug-in I have written a 
>very good Black and White converter. The plug-in also has 2 filter. 
>one to create Copyrights and the other one to make sloppy borders.
>
>If you have any questions, please try to keep them off the list.
>Here's the link: (I did redo my web site due to too many complaints)
>
>Give it a try, you may like it.
>
>http://www.PierreOlivierTavernier.com/podnc
>
>Thanks.
>PO
>c.

Re: [Digital BW] Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-12 by Gary Weaver

Hi Danny,

I did digital to do Color, so I have no conversion arsenal :  )

I do a techique in Irfanview, sepeia, contrast & gamma, rgb sliders, touch-up. Often, my locations and subject are all over the place so I use an editor with curves.
I use the stand alone BWorks
in plugins;
Optikverve
, Harry's, ect..

You might get better help if you suggest you want a Tri-X, or a T-Max look, or whatever, and, what kind of paper look. I somtimes tone with scan color from old prints. I take the outlook that it's not a picture 'til it's printed.

gar

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********
Show quoted textHide quoted text
On 8/12/2008 at 5:58 PM Danny Raphael wrote:

>Thanks for the insights, Gar. Good point about BW film. Did that many 
>years ago. I am hooked on the flexibility and economy of digital now.
>
>A highly regarded Nikonian instructor reported in a class I took that 
>the new Nik plugin he beta tested does a very good job with grain 
>simulation, so perhaps there is hope.
>
>What other plugins do you use?
>
>>
>> Hi Danny,
>> 
>> For many, it's easier to shoot B&W film. I just use BWorks for 
>digital and a couple other plug-ins, but I think film is still tops. 
>Emulsion is a 3D object - or it used to be anyway. A plug-in to make 
>tmax look like film would be nice.
>> 
>> gar
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, and other resources as
>they are often being updated.
>
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint
>
>If you wish to receive no emails or just a daily digest, or you wish to
>unsubscribe, please edit your Membership preferences by visiting this same
>page.
>
>Please follow these basic guidelines:
>- As threads develop, trim off excess portions of earlier messages to keep
>them short.
>- Good manners are required at all time. No personal attacks or flames.
>Hostile, aggressive or argumentative users may be removed from the
>membership without notice.
>- Keep your posts and threads related to the group topic of digital B&W
>printing. Users who persistently make off-topic posts may be removed from
>the membership.
>- By posting on this forum you agree to abide by the group rules and
>guidelines, and to abide by the actions and decisions of the group Owner
>and Moderators. See “Group Topic, Rules and Guidelines” in the Files
>section:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint/files/
>
>BY PARTICIPATING IN AND/OR POSTING MESSAGES TO THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT
>YAHOO! GROUP YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE “OWNER” AND
>“MODERATORS” OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO
>YOU FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR
>EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF
>PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF THE 
>“OWNER” AND “MODERATORS” OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP HAVE BEEN
>ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), RESULTING FROM: (i) THE USE
>OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP; (ii)
>UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA; (iii)
>STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT
>YAHOO GROUP; OR (iv) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE DIGITAL BW, THE
>PRINT YAHOO GROUP.
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Re: Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-13 by Clayton Jones

Hello Danny,

>ARE YOU USING... (or have you evaluated) 
>any of the following (or other) PLUGINS/SCRIPTS?:
>* B/W Styler - www.thepluginsite.com
>* BW Workflow Pro - www.FredMiranda.com 
>* Black and White Studio - www.powerretouche.com
>* Silver Efex Pro - www.niksoftware.com
> 
>If so I'd be interested in your opinions, experiences, features you 
>like, comparison commentary, etc. 

Over a period of several years I tried the demos of several of these
products, plus paid for a few and used them for awhile.  But I always
eventually drifted back to doing it myself in Photoshop.  It's been
too long now so I can't comment specifically on any product, but in
general I found them either too restrictive, or had more options than
I would ever use, or cost more than I was willing to pay, or required
that the file be in RGB.  Since I'm not interested in toning (or any
other RGB-requiring special effects) I do everything in Grayscale
(because is reduces file size by 2/3 and speeds up all operations).  

Two things I discovered during that period:

1) What looks great for one image may not work for another.  Therefore
 having even a large number of canned solutions did not work for me. 
I needed some approach that had some independent but interacting
variables over which I had complete control.

2)I could easily obsess over the minutest differences and spend huge
amounts of time and either remaining undecided or arriving at
something that I ended up not liking very well.  Since then I've
evolved into a standardized set of PS procedures which provides a wide
range of "looks" yet still allows me to drill down to a final decision
in 10 minutes or less.  I found that once I understood what the
controls did and got attuned to them I was able to bypass all the
mental clutter that kept leading me off into areas of indecision.

So it's do-myself-in-PS for me.  


Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm
I-Trak 2.1   http://www.cjcom.net/itrak.htm

Re: Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-13 by pr_roark

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Clayton Jones" 
<cj@...> wrote:

>...it's do-myself-in-PS for me.  

Me too.

If you simply split channels (click on arrow in the upper right corner 
of the Channels palette for the menu), you see all the information that 
is in the image file.  I simply combine the imformation from the three 
channels -- which are displayed as gs images -- as needed.  This also 
allows different channels or filtration for different parts of the 
image.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Re: Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-13 by Chris Ellis

If you're using RAW there's plenty of useful information for Lightroom
and I believe Photoshop CS3 users in this tutorial:

http://lightroom-news.com/2007/08/24/tips-for-better-black-and-white-conversions/

It certainly taught me a lot.

Chris

[Digital BW] Re: Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-13 by Debbi

Really great share, thanks so much!
Debbi
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>If you're using RAW there's plenty of useful information for Lightroom
>and I believe Photoshop CS3 users in this tutorial:
>
>http://lightroom-news.com/2007/08/24/tips-for-better-black-and-white-conversions/
>
>It certainly taught me a lot.
>
>Chris

RE: [Digital BW] Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you use?

2008-08-13 by E Neilsen

In addition to shooting B&W film, and the CS3 conversion techniques, I use
RealGrain by Imagenomic.com   In addition to the B&W conversion, it also has
contrast and tonal adjustments that help maintain your data in a robust way.
The plug in has a bad name but it does so much more than just grain effects.


 

Eric

 

Eric Neilsen Photo

4101 Commerce Street, Suite 9

Dallas, TX 75226

214 827-8301

 

http://ericneilsenphotography.com

SKype ejprinter

 

  _____  
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary
Weaver
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 5:14 PM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Convert color to BW plugins: Which one(s) do you
use?

 

Hi Danny,

I did digital to do Color, so I have no conversion arsenal : )

I do a techique in Irfanview, sepeia, contrast & gamma, rgb sliders,
touch-up. Often, my locations and subject are all over the place so I use an
editor with curves.
I use the stand alone BWorks
in plugins;
Optikverve
, Harry's, ect..

You might get better help if you suggest you want a Tri-X, or a T-Max look,
or whatever, and, what kind of paper look. I somtimes tone with scan color
from old prints. I take the outlook that it's not a picture 'til it's
printed.

gar

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********

On 8/12/2008 at 5:58 PM Danny Raphael wrote:

>Thanks for the insights, Gar. Good point about BW film. Did that many 
>years ago. I am hooked on the flexibility and economy of digital now.
>
>A highly regarded Nikonian instructor reported in a class I took that 
>the new Nik plugin he beta tested does a very good job with grain 
>simulation, so perhaps there is hope.
>
>What other plugins do you use?
>
>>
>> Hi Danny,
>> 
>> For many, it's easier to shoot B&W film. I just use BWorks for 
>digital and a couple other plug-ins, but I think film is still tops. 
>Emulsion is a 3D object - or it used to be anyway. A plug-in to make 
>tmax look like film would be nice.
>> 
>> gar
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, and other resources as
>they are often being updated.
>
>http://groups. <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint>
yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint
>
>If you wish to receive no emails or just a daily digest, or you wish to
>unsubscribe, please edit your Membership preferences by visiting this same
>page.
>
>Please follow these basic guidelines:
>- As threads develop, trim off excess portions of earlier messages to keep
>them short.
>- Good manners are required at all time. No personal attacks or flames.
>Hostile, aggressive or argumentative users may be removed from the
>membership without notice.
>- Keep your posts and threads related to the group topic of digital B&W
>printing. Users who persistently make off-topic posts may be removed from
>the membership.
>- By posting on this forum you agree to abide by the group rules and
>guidelines, and to abide by the actions and decisions of the group Owner
>and Moderators. See "Group Topic, Rules and Guidelines" in the Files
>section:
>http://groups.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint/files/>
yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint/files/
>
>BY PARTICIPATING IN AND/OR POSTING MESSAGES TO THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT
>YAHOO! GROUP YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE "OWNER" AND
>"MODERATORS" OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO
>YOU FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR
>EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF
>PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF THE 
>"OWNER" AND "MODERATORS" OF DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP HAVE BEEN
>ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), RESULTING FROM: (i) THE USE
>OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT YAHOO GROUP; (ii)
>UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA; (iii)
>STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE DIGITAL BW, THE PRINT
>YAHOO GROUP; OR (iv) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE DIGITAL BW, THE
>PRINT YAHOO GROUP.
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

 



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