NIK Silver Efex Pro

Is it finally going to make me buy it?;) I can't read it right now, but I have a feeling that I'm finally going to pull the buy lever. Don/Streetshooter has been a personal Greek chorus in my ear on this software from day one.
 
Quote from the site:

"the definitive application for easily creating stunning B&W photographs"
He isn't wrong there!!!! It is by far the easiest way of converting to B&W plus the results are superb In my opinion. Worth downloading the demo.
 
No

I use it in both lightroom and Photoshop Elements. The only difference is that Lightroom creates a separate tiff file and Photoshop displays the image as a separate layer which can be handy for the creative out there!
 
No

I use it in both lightroom and Photoshop Elements. The only difference is that Lightroom creates a separate tiff file and Photoshop displays the image as a separate layer which can be handy for the creative out there!

I noticed that the Lightroom download is quite a bit smaller than the Photoshop one - I thought that there may be additional functionality in the Photoshop version
 
Thanks you two. I've been about to do the trial for, um, months... I have also been thinking about trying Elements but am holding out until 9 is out. I plan to try out Silver Efex after I return from a little trip coming up.

And thank you, too, Kathy. Kathy, you've used Silver Efex haven't you? How do you feel about it and do you find it more or less useful with either of your cameras for any reason?
 
The "brush" function seems to be missing in the Lightroom version - (the option at the bottom of the screen - next to save or cancel), - it is there on the PS version
 
Bill,

There is a much higher level of integration in the PS versions of all the Nik software. I use their suite of products in Aperture 3 and at the time paid about 300 USD vs. 200 for just Silver EP. Silver EP is still in 32 bit right now but he 64 bit is coming very soon. I would point out that in LR any Nik program you have loaded is available within LR where in Aperture you basically round trip to the program by selecting the Nik program from the "edit with" menu.

Nik is outstanding in providing support and free educational Webinars, etc. I would suggest going to their learning section on their web site and taking the basic Silver EP class (1 hour) where they go over the basics of the program and where you will get a much better picture about the difference between the versions. They will also provide a discount code at any Webinar that gives you a 15% discount on any program. Nik is also going to be releasing their new HDR program very soon. I took the intro webinar on that product and it looks like a great program.
 
Thanks John

so maybe the best option for LR users is to buy the PS version and then use the following work flow
edit the LR image in PS - as normal
use the Silver efex plug in - in PS
save the image back to LR

Cheers
 
Yeah, except I don't own Photo Shop, Bill. That is one program I don't think I will ever buy. I'm too simple minded. Elements a big fat maybe, though.:D

John, thanks for the details on the Nik software stuff - that webinar sounds good. It's going to be a long winter for some of us, and that's when I see myself buckling down in front of my digital darkroom.
 
If you buy the program, you can install it in PS & LR, no extra charge.
There is a PDF book on the Nik site that is a must have.
Mac users... Put LR in a space, put the PDF in another space... When a question comes, change spaces.
There are so many options that you can do things any way you see fit.
The nice thing is that you can save your current settings as an editable preset.
They have presets available for download for free at the site.
Get it and do it quickly if ya like B&W...
If'n ya like color... They got that too...
 
John, thanks for the details on the Nik software stuff - that webinar sounds good. It's going to be a long winter for some of us, and that's when I see myself buckling down in front of my digital darkroom.

Don't wait for winter. You will miss learning about all they have to offer in processing all those great images you will be taking this fall with your Leica. Here is a direct link:

http://www.niksoftware.com/learnmore/usa/index.php

The process is seamless and you will get an email with all the details after signing up for each one. They offer them weekly on a very frequent basis. As you can see on the bottom of the linked page, they also offer on-demand videos that can be down loaded and watched at your leisure on your new MacBook. All of the Nik stuff operates basically the same way so if you learn one, you pretty much can operate without issue in the others. The learning curve is not steep and you can even start without in-depth knowledge just using the pre-sets. One of the most powerful features they have is the control points that allow you to easily select smaller portions of the image to apply the selected enhancement.
 
BB, etc....
The control points are cool because you can adjust the size of the circle, then the brightness, contrast and structure of each.
If you make a point, then move it slowly it will adjust the surrounding area and make a feather edge. They can also be laid on top of each other so you can be very precise in adjustments.

Ya gotz control kid... ya gotz control...
Ya just ain't a gotz the program...YET!
 
Bill,
I don't use the presets either.
In the beginning I tried them just to see what they did... but now I just work each image to my liking. What you can try is to take a preset, make changes to the image that your on and save it as a new preset...
that's cool and becomes a repeatable step....
The Zone System thing on the bottom is really a nice feature also....
 
I'm having a go and the more I get into it the more it "works"

One or two of the film presets are OK, but some are awful (I never remember them looking like that) - but as you say (I) you don't need to use them

Thanks Don

Cheers


Bill
 
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