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B&W Tests

Started by Speedster, November 04, 2019, 08:53:27 AM

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Speedster

Hi all;

As you've probably noticed, I've been taking a break to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.  Hey, I'm only 72, so there's still hope!  Seriously, I'm taking a hard look at my product design work over the past 47 years, and am trying to focus down now on what I truly want in life, and how to best achieve it.  Trust me, it happens to all of us!

I minored in photography in college, under the tutelage of the great Imogene Cunningham.  In the 1960's it was all about Black and White, although we did have one semester in color, which frankly was pretty crappy back then.  So my roots are in B&W, and I recently decided to play with B&W digital conversion and printing.

There are many ways to go, but the best are apps that specialize in B&W conversion.  Luminar (my go-to for final tweaking for all renderings) has an excellent but basic preset.  But I recently added Silver Efex Pro to my toolbox, and it is really a game-changer!  The B&W algorithms are amazing, and although simple on the surface, just like KeyShot, the toolbox is very deep.  It's truly a professional's photo imaging app. Although the app is focused on B&W, the many color filters are equally amazing.

Anyway, check out https://nikcollection.dxo.com/silver-efex-pro/.  You will be glad you did!  And hey, it's not expensive!

Here's three of my early conversions.  All modeled in SolidWorks, rendered in KeyShot 8 Pro of course.  They print beautifully on my Epson P800, on MOAB Museum Luster media.

Bill G


mattjgerard

Dang nice Bill! I'm a big fan of B&W, and that train image is fantastic.

imikej

Beautiful B&W, Bill!  I shoot all B&W for my personal work with a B&W sensor.  Frees the mind.  While I like the Nik stuff–it's fantastic–I've found that getting all of the tonal range you get with B&W film or a B&W only sensor is tricky.  I haven't tried taking KS renders and going B&W.  You've inspired me to do that while procrastinating the other things I should be doing!

jogeshocp

Beautiful B&W photography. Good points are described when to capture.

Finema


MichaelPerry

Quote from: Speedster on November 04, 2019, 08:53:27 AM
I minored in photography in college, under the tutelage of the great Imogene Cunningham.

I did many photo projects at school. When used, these AI controls can work very well. AI Sky Enhancer does a wonderful job of finding the sky and enhancing its color (or the definition of clouds) without exerting too much influence on the rest of the image, while the Accent AI filter works well, turning the raw file into a much nicer one. color, exposure and balance between light and dark areas, with sliders for both functions at hand to adjust the power of adjustment.
do my homework for me

Roshan Hakkim

Great work! Nice composition and I must say there is quite some personality in each image! Applause!

keishamari