Digital to B & W (Page 2): Ps, ACR, both regularly; occasionally for "finishing", Nik, Topaz. I don't think I ever tried directly going from color to B&W with Nik or Topaz; I should...

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Mcwey wrote:

I did only B & W photography for over 50 years (along with a few color slides).
Over the past few years I have moved into Digital but still love the B & W look.
Wondering what programs those of you who convert color use that "Works"?
Just looking for suggestions.
Thanks
Monty

Ps, ACR, both regularly; occasionally for "finishing", Nik, Topaz. I don't think I ever tried directly going from color to B&W with Nik or Topaz; I should try it sometime.

cthahn

Light Room. One click.

rpena2860

Nik's Silver Efex and DxO Filmpack 5 are my fav's if you wish to emulate classic films.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

Photo Shop Elements also works well, you can covert the photo in Adobe Camera RAW.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

rpena2860 wrote:

Nik's Silver Efex and DxO Filmpack 5 are my fav's if you wish to emulate classic films.

This reminds of thought I had the first time I saw a plug in for PS that emulated the look of films like Tri-X complete with grain. That thought was, why did I use developers like Accufine trying to reduce grain if it was so wonderful?

docdish Loc: Saint Petersburg, FL

Affinity. Convert to B&W but use the sliders to adjust the input of each color. Makes a dramatic difference depending on the subject.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Corel Paint Shop Pro has nice B&W conversion features. Color channels can be manipulated to simulate filters or Orthochromatic film. There also some rather good simulations of old processes. I like Platinum print option. I made a few of these a longtime ago. The Topaz program appears to be very good as well.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Mcwey wrote:

I did only B & W photography for over 50 years (along with a few color slides).
Over the past few years I have moved into Digital but still love the B & W look.
Wondering what programs those of you who convert color use that "Works"?
Just looking for suggestions.
Thanks
Monty

Topaz & ON1

wallyh

I use DXO OpticsPro with their DXO Filmpack (to choose different film emulsions, including most B&W emulsions and 3 or 4 BW IR emulsions). Advantage of DXO OpticsPro is it compensates for camera/lens distortion issues and much shorter learning curve. On month free trial period.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

You are lucky because right now Nik (bought by Google) is free and in the bundle it has the excellent Silver Effex to make the conversions.

AZNikon Loc: Mesa, AZ

First, you need to buy a B&W memory card (just kidding). I use Lightroom & Photoshop CC, but you will get lots of good advice here. Be sure to post some pictures and good luck!

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I just converted this full color shot to monochrome in Photoshop. The pictures show the one click presets, Default, Blue, Green, etc. that the Black and White Adjustment layer in Photoshop gives you. The beauty of Photoshop is that I was able to mix two of the presets, Default + Green (bottom row) and then add a Gradient map for toning purposes. Photoshop=still the king if you want to take the time to learn it.

bobbennett wrote:

First, you need to buy a B&W memory card (just kidding). I use Lightroom & Photoshop CC, but you will get lots of good advice here. Be sure to post some pictures and good luck!

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Mcwey wrote:

I did only B & W photography for over 50 years (along with a few color slides).
Over the past few years I have moved into Digital but still love the B & W look.
Wondering what programs those of you who convert color use that "Works"?
Just looking for suggestions.
Thanks
Monty

Photoshop and Affinity both have good tools for this. We used to have to do it in several steps in order to control the color assignments, but the new tools make it easier.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

Fotoartist wrote:

I just converted this full color shot to monochrome in Photoshop. The pictures show the one click presets, Default, Blue, Green, etc. that the Black and White Adjustment layer in Photoshop gives you. The beauty of Photoshop is that I was able to mix two of the presets, Default + Green (bottom row) and then add a Gradient map for toning purposes. Photoshop=still the king if you want to take the time to learn it.

...nice presentation! I've not used gradient map but now will have to give it a try...thank you!

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Be sure to load the Photographic Toning presets under the little gear icon when you go into the Gradient Map Adjustment layer. Load the other Color Harmonies too. They're good for color work. Be sure to select "Append" when you are prompted otherwise it will replace your present gradient list instead of adding to them.

I think this is better than Silverfast and the rest of them.

chasgroh wrote:

...nice presentation! I've not used gradient map but now will have to give it a try...thank you!