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Would like some suggestions for b/w processing software

Would like some suggestions for b/w processing software

2008-09-09 by maximalimage

I just bought an Epson 1400 refurb and Jon Cone's K6 CIS set for it.  
Very nice, after I redecorated my workroom!  As I now have 4 printers, 
I had to put shelves up the wall over my desk space and get a foot 
stool to reach the uppermost printer.

I have some b/w processing sw, but would like to hear what others are 
doing to enhance the b/w zones and luminosity after desaturating their 
digital negs.

I have the filter set from JFI Color Labs and know about the grain 
stuff.  Not sure I want to add grain to my b/w's.  Also have a couple 
of others.

Much appreciated.  Bill

Re: Would like some suggestions for b/w processing software

2008-09-09 by ilford100

For a long time I used Alien Skin Exposure.  The presets are a good place to start, and it 
provides good control of global changes to your images.  Recently I've started using 
Lightroom 2.  It's the same engine as in ACR 4.X, but the brush tool gives you control over 
individual parts of the image.  So far I'm pretty happy with it.

Re: Would like some suggestions for b/w processing software

2008-09-09 by pr_roark

> ... would like to hear what others are doing to enhance
> the b/w zones and luminosity ...

> ... filter set from ... a couple of others.

I stay in Photoshop as much as possible.  I think it is a deep enough 
tool set that I can do almost everything I need to.  (And QTR does the 
rest.)  It's a long learning curve, but it's worth the investment.

I personally use, for example, PS's image adjustment curves on a 
duplicate image, visually judging the effects on one particular area, 
but also on the entire image with a overall plan for guiding the eye 
via (Lab L) tonal adjustments.  I then clone over the parts of the 
manipulated image I like.  I, in effect, paint in the luminousity 
adjustments.

Levels and its histogram are also vital.  Our medium does not have much 
dynamic range, so I use it all.

There are all sorts of ways to do these things within a single toolset -
- Photoshop.  As a former darkroom silver printer, the depth of and 
efficiency of the PS toolset is one of the main reasons I'm in digital.

FWIW

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

RE: [Digital BW] Re: Would like some suggestions for b/w processing software

2008-09-10 by E Neilsen

While the latest version of Photoshop is quite robust with the controls you
need for B&W conversion there are alternatives. I use RealGrain for some of
my work. I expect it will be improving soon. There are just so many ways to
do it, much of your workflow should be decided by what you already have and
know well. The RealGrain plugin does a great job of maintaining your data
while allowing you to adjust your tonal range. 

 

Also what are you planning on printing with; the ink set.

 

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 pr_roark
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 2:04 PM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] Re: Would like some suggestions for b/w processing
software

 

> ... would like to hear what others are doing to enhance
> the b/w zones and luminosity ...

> ... filter set from ... a couple of others.

I stay in Photoshop as much as possible. I think it is a deep enough 
tool set that I can do almost everything I need to. (And QTR does the 
rest.) It's a long learning curve, but it's worth the investment.

I personally use, for example, PS's image adjustment curves on a 
duplicate image, visually judging the effects on one particular area, 
but also on the entire image with a overall plan for guiding the eye 
via (Lab L) tonal adjustments. I then clone over the parts of the 
manipulated image I like. I, in effect, paint in the luminousity 
adjustments.

Levels and its histogram are also vital. Our medium does not have much 
dynamic range, so I use it all.

There are all sorts of ways to do these things within a single toolset -
- Photoshop. As a former darkroom silver printer, the depth of and 
efficiency of the PS toolset is one of the main reasons I'm in digital.

FWIW

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com 

 



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

[Digital BW] Re: Would like some suggestions for b/w processing software

2008-09-10 by maximalimage

Eric, I have the CIS for the 1400 from Jon Cone with his K6 inks 
that are specially formulated for this printer.  I like what I'm 
getting, using Hahnemule 360 Photo Rag (matte); I've always liked 
this paper.

Did my first print a weekend ago and like it.  I just want it to be 
more luminous.  Waiting to see what toys to use.

tnx,  Bill


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "E Neilsen" 
<e.neilsen2@...> wrote:
>
> While the latest version of Photoshop is quite robust with the 
controls you
> need for B&W conversion there are alternatives. I use RealGrain 
for some of
> my work. I expect it will be improving soon. There are just so 
many ways to
> do it, much of your workflow should be decided by what you already 
have and
> know well. The RealGrain plugin does a great job of maintaining 
your data
> while allowing you to adjust your tonal range. 
> 
>  
> 
> Also what are you planning on printing with; the ink set.
> 
>  
> 
> Eric  
> 
>  
> 
> Eric Neilsen Photo
> 
> 4101 Commerce Street, Suite 9
> 
> Dallas, TX 75226
> 
> 214 827-8301
> 
>  
> 
> http://ericneilsenphotography.com
> 
> SKype ejprinter
> 
>  
> 
>   _____  
> 
> From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of 
pr_roark
> Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 2:04 PM
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Digital BW] Re: Would like some suggestions for b/w 
processing
> software
> 
>  
> 
> > ... would like to hear what others are doing to enhance
> > the b/w zones and luminosity ...
> 
> > ... filter set from ... a couple of others.
> 
> I stay in Photoshop as much as possible. I think it is a deep 
enough 
> tool set that I can do almost everything I need to. (And QTR does 
the 
> rest.) It's a long learning curve, but it's worth the investment.
> 
> I personally use, for example, PS's image adjustment curves on a 
> duplicate image, visually judging the effects on one particular 
area, 
> but also on the entire image with a overall plan for guiding the 
eye 
> via (Lab L) tonal adjustments. I then clone over the parts of the 
> manipulated image I like. I, in effect, paint in the luminousity 
> adjustments.
> 
> Levels and its histogram are also vital. Our medium does not have 
much 
> dynamic range, so I use it all.
> 
> There are all sorts of ways to do these things within a single 
toolset -
> - Photoshop. As a former darkroom silver printer, the depth of and 
> efficiency of the PS toolset is one of the main reasons I'm in 
digital.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> 
> FWIW
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Digital BW] Re: Would like some suggestions for b/w processing software

2008-09-10 by Tyler Boley

I'm sure you know this but it's worth stating on a regular basis. The toys won't make your 
prints luminous, you will. And since a small minority od B&W prints out there in the world 
deserve that description, the conclusion is that we all have a lot of work to do.

Eric and others here are certainly experienced workers whose input should be taken 
seriously, but I use nothing but Photoshop, and many years later still learn new ways 
within it's tool possibilities to make better prints.

Tyler
http://www.custom-digital.com/

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "maximalimage" <wparsons@...> 
wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> Eric, I have the CIS for the 1400 from Jon Cone with his K6 inks 
> that are specially formulated for this printer.  I like what I'm 
> getting, using Hahnemule 360 Photo Rag (matte); I've always liked 
> this paper.
> 
> Did my first print a weekend ago and like it.  I just want it to be 
> more luminous.  Waiting to see what toys to use.
> 
> tnx,  Bill
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "E Neilsen" 
> <e.neilsen2@> wrote:
> >
> > While the latest version of Photoshop is quite robust with the 
> controls you
> > need for B&W conversion there are alternatives. I use RealGrain 
> for some of
> > my work. I expect it will be improving soon. There are just so 
> many ways to
> > do it, much of your workflow should be decided by what you already 
> have and
> > know well. The RealGrain plugin does a great job of maintaining 
> your data
> > while allowing you to adjust your tonal range. 
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Also what are you planning on printing with; the ink set.
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Eric  
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Eric Neilsen Photo
> > 
> > 4101 Commerce Street, Suite 9
> > 
> > Dallas, TX 75226
> > 
> > 214 827-8301
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > http://ericneilsenphotography.com
> > 
> > SKype ejprinter
> > 
> >  
> > 
> >   _____  
> > 
> > From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> > [mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of 
> pr_roark
> > Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 2:04 PM
> > To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [Digital BW] Re: Would like some suggestions for b/w 
> processing
> > software
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > > ... would like to hear what others are doing to enhance
> > > the b/w zones and luminosity ...
> > 
> > > ... filter set from ... a couple of others.
> > 
> > I stay in Photoshop as much as possible. I think it is a deep 
> enough 
> > tool set that I can do almost everything I need to. (And QTR does 
> the 
> > rest.) It's a long learning curve, but it's worth the investment.
> > 
> > I personally use, for example, PS's image adjustment curves on a 
> > duplicate image, visually judging the effects on one particular 
> area, 
> > but also on the entire image with a overall plan for guiding the 
> eye 
> > via (Lab L) tonal adjustments. I then clone over the parts of the 
> > manipulated image I like. I, in effect, paint in the luminousity 
> > adjustments.
> > 
> > Levels and its histogram are also vital. Our medium does not have 
> much 
> > dynamic range, so I use it all.
> > 
> > There are all sorts of ways to do these things within a single 
> toolset -
> > - Photoshop. As a former darkroom silver printer, the depth of and 
> > efficiency of the PS toolset is one of the main reasons I'm in 
> digital.
> > 
> > FWIW
> > 
> > Paul
> > www.PaulRoark.com 
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>

Re: Would like some suggestions for b/w processing software

2008-09-10 by maximalimage

Tyler, very nicely put.

I made my first Piezo (K6) print about a week ago.  When I looked at 
it I could see that it needed some tweeking and shuddered 
involuntarily when I recalled the many occasions when it took me 3 
hours to get a print "right" in the darkroom -- I hope it'll be 
easier in the light room to get these b/w prints right.

Our lives, as light room printers, are subjugated to hardware and 
software changes.  In my darkroom, with the Zone VI equipment I had, 
I could reake a 5-year-old image that looked exactly like the 
original print.

Now, in my light room, I have to recalibrate my processes 
continuously as the hw and sw change.  While we're all making 
progress, the interrupts get in the way of making pictures.

Bill


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Tyler Boley" 
<tyler@...> wrote:
>
> I'm sure you know this but it's worth stating on a regular basis. 
The toys won't make your 
> prints luminous, you will. And since a small minority od B&W 
prints out there in the world 
> deserve that description, the conclusion is that we all have a lot 
of work to do.
> 
> Eric and others here are certainly experienced workers whose input 
should be taken 
> seriously, but I use nothing but Photoshop, and many years later 
still learn new ways 
> within it's tool possibilities to make better prints.
> 
> Tyler
> http://www.custom-digital.com/
> 
> --- In 
DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "maximalimage" 
<wparsons@> 
> wrote:
> >
> > Eric, I have the CIS for the 1400 from Jon Cone with his K6 inks 
> > that are specially formulated for this printer.  I like what I'm 
> > getting, using Hahnemule 360 Photo Rag (matte); I've always 
liked 
> > this paper.
> > 
> > Did my first print a weekend ago and like it.  I just want it to 
be 
> > more luminous.  Waiting to see what toys to use.
> > 
> > tnx,  Bill
> > 
> > 
> > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "E Neilsen" 
> > <e.neilsen2@> wrote:
> > >
> > > While the latest version of Photoshop is quite robust with the 
> > controls you
> > > need for B&W conversion there are alternatives. I use 
RealGrain 
> > for some of
> > > my work. I expect it will be improving soon. There are just so 
> > many ways to
> > > do it, much of your workflow should be decided by what you 
already 
> > have and
> > > know well. The RealGrain plugin does a great job of 
maintaining 
> > your data
> > > while allowing you to adjust your tonal range. 
> > > 
> > >  
> > > 
> > > Also what are you planning on printing with; the ink set.
> > > 
> > >  
> > > 
> > > Eric  
> > > 
> > >  
> > > 
> > > Eric Neilsen Photo
> > > 
> > > 4101 Commerce Street, Suite 9
> > > 
> > > Dallas, TX 75226
> > > 
> > > 214 827-8301
> > > 
> > >  
> > > 
> > > http://ericneilsenphotography.com
> > > 
> > > SKype ejprinter
> > > 
> > >  
> > > 
> > >   _____  
> > > 
> > > From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> > > [mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On 
Behalf Of 
> > pr_roark
> > > Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 2:04 PM
> > > To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> > > Subject: [Digital BW] Re: Would like some suggestions for b/w 
> > processing
> > > software
> > > 
> > >  
> > > 
> > > > ... would like to hear what others are doing to enhance
> > > > the b/w zones and luminosity ...
> > > 
> > > > ... filter set from ... a couple of others.
> > > 
> > > I stay in Photoshop as much as possible. I think it is a deep 
> > enough 
> > > tool set that I can do almost everything I need to. (And QTR 
does 
> > the 
> > > rest.) It's a long learning curve, but it's worth the 
investment.
> > > 
> > > I personally use, for example, PS's image adjustment curves on 
a 
> > > duplicate image, visually judging the effects on one 
particular 
> > area, 
> > > but also on the entire image with a overall plan for guiding 
the 
> > eye 
> > > via (Lab L) tonal adjustments. I then clone over the parts of 
the 
> > > manipulated image I like. I, in effect, paint in the 
luminousity 
> > > adjustments.
> > > 
> > > Levels and its histogram are also vital. Our medium does not 
have 
> > much 
> > > dynamic range, so I use it all.
> > > 
> > > There are all sorts of ways to do these things within a single 
> > toolset -
> > > - Photoshop. As a former darkroom silver printer, the depth of 
and 
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> > > efficiency of the PS toolset is one of the main reasons I'm in 
> > digital.
> > > 
> > > FWIW
> > > 
> > > Paul
> > > www.PaulRoark.com 
> > > 
> > >  
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
>

RE: [Digital BW] Re: Would like some suggestions for b/w processing software

2008-09-11 by E Neilsen

Your eye will make them more luminous as you learn the materials and their
limits. Each generation of PS gets better. And every time I use PS I get
better at using it. The more layers you add to your workflow, and I'm not
talking PS layers but rather software, ink sets, paper- you make it harder
on yourself to see the effect each has on its own.

 

The paper choice is a smart one, the inks have gotten good reviews, the RIP
- QTR is a proven help. So have fun. 

 

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 Tyler
Boley
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 2:05 PM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Digital BW] Re: Would like some suggestions for b/w processing
software

 

I'm sure you know this but it's worth stating on a regular basis. The toys
won't make your 
prints luminous, you will. And since a small minority od B&W prints out
there in the world 
deserve that description, the conclusion is that we all have a lot of work
to do.

Eric and others here are certainly experienced workers whose input should be
taken 
seriously, but I use nothing but Photoshop, and many years later still learn
new ways 
within it's tool possibilities to make better prints.

Tyler
http://www.custom- <http://www.custom-digital.com/> digital.com/



.

 
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