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Black & White conversion

sagar

Member
I would like to learn the process to convert jpg or raw to black and white. Would appreciate any tips, suggestions or information about plugins
 

johnastovall

Deceased, but remembered fondly here...
I really like Alien Skin's Exposure for B&W conversion and it is a plugin for Photoshop. I suggest you not work with jpgs but rather the photoshop file once you have taken it out of the raw converter.
 

TRSmith

Subscriber Member
Another big thumbs up for Silver Efex Pro. Extremely versatile program and yields wonderful conversions with lots of controls.

However, you can make decent conversions with almost any of the image processing software (i.e., LR and PS-X) it just takes a bit more effort. For example, if you're using Photoshop, you can apply a Gradient Map layer over your file and then adjust the gradient to achieve some decent looks. Add a couple of other adjustment layers to tweak, and bingo! Very nice B&W sans grain effects.

What software do you use?

Also, another vote for always shooting RAW unless your camera doesn't allow it. If you're new to RAW, have some patience with yourself and get through the initial learning curve. When you come through it, you'll learn to hate jpegs. Which is of course, just my opinion.
 

Don Libby

Well-known member
Can't comment on Silver Efex Pro as I don't have it (not too sure if it supports 64 bit but that's my problem.) I will second or is that third the idea about working the RAW image and not Jpg.

Don

BTW-C1 has some nice actions for B&W.
 

leif e

New member
Ahem; did someone mention the Silver Efex Pro yet? :D

In my experience (with Aperture) it´s truly great!

leif e
 
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