I downloaded the trial version on the advice of bassbone. This is the first time I've used it, and I think I like it. This is a conversion of a color photo which is one of my favorites, and I really think the B&W version holds its own. What do you think?
I like to shoot in infrared along with color and really like using both Silver Efx Pro and Color Efx Pro for processing my images. It works quickly and the results are great. The control points are very useful too. Color Efx includes a smaller version of Silver Efx- fewer controls- but works nicely too. I just finished using it on one of my recent contest entries to convert it into black and white for a potential entry into our County Fair. Registration for entries begins in the next couple weeks already. I have recently started getting prints ordered before paying the entry fee to be sure they are good enough to enter.
Check into buying the entire Nik Suite, which includes SilverFX-- $299 for Aperture and Lightroom, it a better deal than buying one or two tools at $199 each.
Check into buying the entire Nik Suite, which includes SilverFX-- $299 for Aperture and Lightroom, it a better deal than buying one or two tools at $199 each.
It is actually easier than Elements. It kind of does a lot of the work for you but it still gives you tools to tweek it as you want. They have some tutorials on their site if you want to see how it works (look for "lessons").
Definitely my favorite tool. Deb pushed it my way about a year ago. I think just about all of my images take a pass through it. If you buy the PS version you get the Lightroom or Aperture plugin as well. It needs a better batch process workflow, but it works.
Definitely my favorite tool. Deb pushed it my way about a year ago. I think just about all of my images take a pass through it. If you buy the PS version you get the Lightroom or Aperture plugin as well. It needs a better batch process workflow, but it works.
And you know, he's WAY better at it than I'll ever be. It could have to do just a wee bit with his source material, but he's also better at using the tool. I'll make him teach me how to use it properly one of these days... :-)
Definitely my favorite tool. Deb pushed it my way about a year ago. I think just about all of my images take a pass through it. If you buy the PS version you get the Lightroom or Aperture plugin as well. It needs a better batch process workflow, but it works.
And you know, he's WAY better at it than I'll ever be. It could have to do just a wee bit with his source material, but he's also better at using the tool. I'll make him teach me how to use it properly one of these days... :-)
Thanks for that Deb, nice compliments from a BW mentor (not that you knew that!)!
