Recent photos and a recommendation

Recent photos and a recommendation · Posted by CWyatt, 11-04-2009, 10:12 PM

My computer recently died for a while. I'm starting to go through my 1000-odd photos I took while my computer was down with a new tool - Nik software for Photoshop. Having slowly learned Nik Silver Efex Pro (black and white conversion plug in) and the Nik sharpener tool (also a photoshop plug in), I can thoroughly recommend both.

I don't think Silver Efex Pro has anything you can't technically do in photoshop, but it makes very, very effective black and white conversions very easy. My favourite is the 'structure' slider. Increase this, and it will bring out all the detail in the midtones, without losing detail in the lights and darks like the 'contrast' slider does. I think the moon photo below shows the 'structure' option of Silver Efex Pro well.

All photos with Pentax K10D and Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8 EX DG. These are my first attempts with Nik software. Comments welcome.
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Moonscape over Wellington

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CWyatt · 11-04-2009, 10:12 PM

Street sweeper, Wellington
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CWyatt · 11-04-2009, 10:13 PM

Duality
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CWyatt · 11-04-2009, 10:13 PM

On the steps of the Railway Station
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CWyatt · 11-04-2009, 10:14 PM

Family
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CWyatt · 11-04-2009, 10:14 PM

Couples
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CWyatt · 11-04-2009, 10:15 PM

Returning home
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*Ash* · 11-04-2009, 10:15 PM

Artistic images with excellent B&W renditions. Nik seem to take the cake for best B&W conversions. Duality is a lucky winner! Returning home is heartwarming - well done with that. On the steps of the Railway Station is exquisitely lit and captured - the pick of the bunch for me. Brilliant!

Thanks for sharing these works - you are talented.

CWyatt · 11-04-2009, 10:15 PM

Problem drinking
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CWyatt · 11-04-2009, 10:16 PM

Couple with glasses
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CWyatt · 11-04-2009, 10:16 PM

Urban flight
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*Ash* · 11-04-2009, 10:18 PM

Wow. More of the same.
Urban flight is another top notch capture.
Problem drinking is quite emotive.
Well done mate.

*FHPhotographer* · 11-04-2009, 11:33 PM

CWyatt, good work. I'm a big fan of Silver Efex and these are good examples.

Just a tip, you can use most of the PS editing tools inside the Efex layer, such as a PS art brush etc that could be used to "paint" a bit of contrast into the darkest spots for additional texture,
Brian

flippedgazelle · 11-05-2009, 09:37 AM

Nothing really to add to what the previous posters have stated, except that you remain one of my favorite "artistic" photogs.

*dexmus* · 11-06-2009, 04:44 PM

I like 'Family' very much, very creative ...

cheers

Abhi