B&W The Real Silver Effex Thread and Gallery is now online.

I have to put my hands up and admit to using Silver Efex Pro for all my B&W conversions - it is a great package and I tend do my basic editing in PS, then use SFX and the High Structure setting before tweaking gently , adding tone, vignette & border as I see fit.

I personally feel this software offers me the best option for good B&W conversion, a few samples below with more in my gallery.

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Music_man_BW.jpg
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The_Saxophone_BW.jpg
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Damp and dull with drizzle - on Boxing Day - Silver Efex solves the problem.

Silver Efex Pro2 has become my default convertor for B&W as it is the closest software I have found that can replicate the B&W images I used to produce when working in analogue and a wet darkroom - quicker, more control with less smell!!

Tall_trees.jpg
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Leaning_over.jpg
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Lock_keepers_cottage.jpg
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Neglect.jpg
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I tend to use sfx pro 2 as a blunt instrument for my be conversions. Lots of vignette and burning etc for max atmosphere. I try to turn the extraordinarily mundane into something of interest. I classify my sfx use as like a punch to the face.

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Fur Jacket Lady by petach123, on Flickr

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The Pool Player by petach123, on Flickr

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high_heels by petach123, on Flickr


It's fantastic for bringing out detail from an otherwise flat photo
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Top Santé by petach123, on Flickr
 
I totally agree with Petach, SFX is a superb tool for conversion and can make ordinary photos look great and like Petach the vignette function adds power and impact to a photo.
 
Beautiful shots. I too like the second very much. For me personally I would be inclined to ease back a little on the treatment of the sky since I find it distracts a little from the beautiful structure of the tree.
 
Thanks for the feedback.

Olli, I tend to go for the High Structure look in SFX as it gives me the gritty look I like, I know all images are a case of personal preference and each person will have a different opinion.

I also find that with trees against sky, the High Structure gives me more of a 3 dimensional feel to it and makes the trees stand out more from the dramatic sky behind - I also find that the sensor on the X100 contributes a lot to this effect.
 
Some architectural shots processed through SEP 2

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Cuartel de Ballajá by ramirezaponte, on Flickr

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Cuartel de Ballajá by ramirezaponte, on Flickr

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Cuartel de Ballajá by ramirezaponte, on Flickr

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Escuela de Artes Plásticas by ramirezaponte, on Flickr

The first three are of Cuartel de Ballajá and the last one is of Escuela de Artes Plásticas, all in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. All shot with Lumix G3 and 25mm 1.4 DG Summilux.

Cheers,

Antonio
 
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