Black & White Playing with the BW Plugins

Playing with the BW Plugins · 10:01 AM

I have a couple of plugins I use with Lightroom 4. One is Topaz BW Effects the other is Nik's Silver Effex Pro 2. I bought them all 'on sale' so price wise they were a decent deal.

I don't often use them so I thought I would give them a try today on a shot I felt color had no real benefit.

click on image twice for larger view

This one is from Nik's - Silver Effex Pro 2 (Full Spectrum I think)

This is from Topaz BW Effects (one of the infra-red settings)

What I like about the infra-red is , it makes the sea gull waste appear to look like paint flakes or gum much more attractive

I think these plugins have their usage - They are both pretty powerful and offer complete customization from the presets.

nine23 · 05-13-2013, 11:23 AM

Very nice shots. I have Silver Effex Pro 2 as well and I absolutely love it.

**Kerrowdown** · 05-13-2013, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by First Poster

sea gull waste appear to look like paint flakes or gum much more attractive

I'm sure Topaz didn't know about that effect, perhaps you'd better let them know.

**Bob Harris** · 05-13-2013, 02:51 PM

I like the effects Dave, but these aren't stand alone programs are they, they must be used through lightroom I assume.

daacon · 05-14-2013, 09:12 AM

Originally posted by nine23

Very nice shots. I have Silver Effex Pro 2 as well and I absolutely love it.

Thanks nine23 - have not played with that one much but they are good overall so far.

Originally posted by kerrowdown

I'm sure Topaz didn't know about that effect, perhaps you'd better let them know.

I think you right !

Originally posted by Bob Harris

I like the effects Dave, but these aren't stand alone programs are they, they must be used through lightroom I assume.

I use them through Lightroom they work with other products as well (Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, etc). if you purchased the PhotoFXlab you can actually run them as standalone as well.

slowpez · 05-14-2013, 10:40 AM

I have got to get a copy of silver effex. I am really not too sure that gum looks better than bird poop though.

Sagitta · 05-14-2013, 12:16 PM

FWIW, the in-camera IR setting is handy for nice shots like the latter as well. If you go to the black and white settings, then go in and adjust those there is an infra red filter in there which allows really nice cloud-popping shots.

daacon · 05-15-2013, 06:00 AM

Originally posted by slowpez

I have got to get a copy of silver effex. I am really not too sure that gum looks better than bird poop though.

haha point taken. Not sure they sell them individually anymore since the google buy out. The whole package was on sale when I bought them ($129 ??).

Originally posted by Sagitta

FWIW, the in-camera IR setting is handy for nice shots like the latter as well. If you go to the black and white settings, then go in and adjust those there is an infra red filter in there which allows really nice cloud-popping shots.

Thanks Sagitta I always forget about the in-camera processing. I do like the effect of IR for some shots.

slowpez · 05-15-2013, 07:03 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by daacon

haha point taken. Not sure they sell them individually anymore since the google buy out. The whole package was on sale when I bought them ($129 ??).

Just bought the whole package (you are to blame). You are right about the buy-out. I think the price was $149 but someone on the forum posted a coupon too so it was even cheaper. Now to learn how to use it.

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05-13-2013, 11:23 AM	#2
nine23 New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 4	Very nice shots. I have Silver Effex Pro 2 as well and I absolutely love it.

05-13-2013, 12:34 PM	#3
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,818	Originally posted by First Poster sea gull waste appear to look like paint flakes or gum much more attractive I'm sure Topaz didn't know about that effect, perhaps you'd better let them know.

05-13-2013, 02:51 PM	#4
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477	I like the effects Dave, but these aren't stand alone programs are they, they must be used through lightroom I assume.

05-14-2013, 09:12 AM	#5
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914 Original Poster	Originally posted by nine23 Very nice shots. I have Silver Effex Pro 2 as well and I absolutely love it. Thanks nine23 - have not played with that one much but they are good overall so far. Originally posted by kerrowdown I'm sure Topaz didn't know about that effect, perhaps you'd better let them know. I think you right ! Originally posted by Bob Harris I like the effects Dave, but these aren't stand alone programs are they, they must be used through lightroom I assume. I use them through Lightroom they work with other products as well (Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, etc). if you purchased the PhotoFXlab you can actually run them as standalone as well.

05-14-2013, 10:40 AM	#6
slowpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,462	I have got to get a copy of silver effex. I am really not too sure that gum looks better than bird poop though.

05-14-2013, 12:16 PM	#7
Sagitta Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,081	FWIW, the in-camera IR setting is handy for nice shots like the latter as well. If you go to the black and white settings, then go in and adjust those there is an infra red filter in there which allows really nice cloud-popping shots.

05-15-2013, 06:00 AM	#8
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914 Original Poster	Originally posted by slowpez I have got to get a copy of silver effex. I am really not too sure that gum looks better than bird poop though. haha point taken. Not sure they sell them individually anymore since the google buy out. The whole package was on sale when I bought them ($129 ??). Originally posted by Sagitta FWIW, the in-camera IR setting is handy for nice shots like the latter as well. If you go to the black and white settings, then go in and adjust those there is an infra red filter in there which allows really nice cloud-popping shots. Thanks Sagitta I always forget about the in-camera processing. I do like the effect of IR for some shots.

05-15-2013, 07:03 AM - 1 Like	#9
slowpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,462	Originally posted by daacon haha point taken. Not sure they sell them individually anymore since the google buy out. The whole package was on sale when I bought them ($129 ??). Just bought the whole package (you are to blame). You are right about the buy-out. I think the price was $149 but someone on the forum posted a coupon too so it was even cheaper. Now to learn how to use it.