Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Forums · RMNP

Collecting Silver

Discussion

20 replies
Posted by Dean Sauskojus on March 4, 2011 at 5:34 PM
Collecting Silver
After reading Bret Edge's blog on Silver Effex Pro and seeing Jesse Speer use the program I finally decided to try the software myself. I got the trial version for fifteen days. I've used Nik Viveza which is a great product and Silver Effex is another. It took me less than ten minutes to convert the False Helebore image to a B&W. I chose to emphasize the lines in the leaves by using the structure slider. They also have a vignette feature that comes with the program which I used on this image. After done with Silver Effex Pro I fine tuned the image with the black, white and neutral sliders with a selective color layer. Best thing about it I could present this image in a lot of different ways that would be acceptable very easily.

Image taken with a Wista 4x5 DX11, Schneider lens, Fuji Velvia 50 sheet film, no filters added.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 4, 2011 at 6:14 PM
You nailed that conversion, Dean. A superb image! Almost 3D. :toast:

The problem with Silver Efex is trying to decide among all the great possible interpretations.
Posted by John Mumaw on March 4, 2011 at 6:33 PM
Man, that is one sweet b&w image, Dean! Fine art photography, to be sure. You oughta give that b&w image from Yellowstone that you posted here awhile ago a shot with this program.
Posted by Bill Bean on March 4, 2011 at 6:58 PM
Love the tonal range! Great image, fantastic conversion.
Posted by Bret Edge on March 4, 2011 at 8:16 PM
Oh man, this is out of this world awesome. It has tremendous luminosity. Wonderfully composed, great patterns. What's not to love?
Posted by CAZ on March 4, 2011 at 8:43 PM
This is stunning! Nice composition and great depth!

Thanks for sharing,
Posted by Stan Rose on March 4, 2011 at 10:01 PM
Sweet! :toast:
Posted by Brent Doerzman on March 4, 2011 at 11:36 PM
Got to agree with everyone else, this is stunning! Perfect conversion!
Posted by David Kingham on March 5, 2011 at 12:06 AM
Haha just read Bret's article and you nailed it, I think it's better actually :toast:
Posted by Lynn Scott on March 5, 2011 at 1:49 AM
Awesome shot and use of Silver :)
Posted by Don George on March 5, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Excellent. Exceptional detail!
Posted by Dan Walters on March 5, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Amazing detail and the BW is awesome!
Posted by Stephen Weaver on March 5, 2011 at 2:16 PM
Fabulous!
Posted by Morris McClung on March 5, 2011 at 6:31 PM
I want Nik, I want it, I want it, I want it! Great shot.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on March 5, 2011 at 7:04 PM
This is a beauty, Dean. Wonderful conversion, and great sense of depth and clarity.
Posted by Joseph Kayne on March 6, 2011 at 2:52 PM
:jump: :jump: :jump:
Posted by Kurt Bowman on March 7, 2011 at 2:58 PM
I really like how the conversion came out Dean. FYI, I have been using NIK SW for about 1 year now with LR3 mostly. I rarely use PS anymore except for certain things. Nice work!
Posted by Doug Koepsel on March 7, 2011 at 3:16 PM
This turned out very nice. The tone range to black gives it great depth. Nice compositon also.
Posted by Pam Colander on March 7, 2011 at 5:02 PM
Man you could fall into this image and get lost it has so much depth!!! I'm enjoying my trial of it too. Hope to buy it someday.
Posted by Brian Jackson on March 7, 2011 at 5:07 PM
Wow, great shot.
Posted by Soubhik Patranabis on March 8, 2011 at 3:34 PM
Too good !