Using Nik Effects: I processed this shot from raw with DXO3 and finished then saved the jpeg in Affinity. I then exported the same file as a tiff into Nik Silver Efex and used a film...

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

I processed this shot from raw with DXO3 and finished then saved the jpeg in Affinity. I then exported the same file as a tiff into Nik Silver Efex and used a film noir filter. Saved again as a tiff and imported into Affinity to add a few tone adjustments and this is the result. The composition was difficult because the flock was so large. For me it made sense to obscure with the vignette and let the center where the sharpest focus was stand out.
Thoughts and comments welcomed.
Pete

Jpeg of original raw file
Jpeg of original raw file...

(Download)

With Film Noir filter
With Film Noir filter...

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Silver Efex is a fantastic b&w converter! I often start with a pre-set, then go down the right side and tweak one or more of the sliders. There are many collapsed menus you need to open to reveal the goodies

For me the film noir choice - as its name implies - is more for drama and sinister mood. I appreciate your mentioning the reasons for applying this filter. You might try the control points within Silver Efex to brighten one or two birds for contrast and a place for us to start our exploration within the frame.

I use Nik Collection as a plug-in to PS Elements so I tend to use a layer mask for selective adjustments rather than the control points.

All sections have tutorials on You-Tube.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

Linda From Maine wrote:

Silver Efex is a fantastic b&w converter! I of... (show quote)

Thanks for the info. I can use DXO 3 for converting raw then export directly to any of the Nik modules and save some time that way. I will try that next time. Although I’ve had the program for several months now, I’m only just starting to use it. Experience will bring me to a better level of functionality and understanding of its capabilities. In the meantime....experimenting with the modules will be one of my teaching aids.
Pete

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

pmorin wrote:

Thanks for the info. I can use DXO 3 for converting raw then export directly to any of the Nik modules and save some time that way. I will try that next time. Although I’ve had the program for several months now, I’m only just starting to use it. Experience will bring me to a better level of functionality and understanding of its capabilities. In the meantime....experimenting with the modules will be one of my teaching aids.
Pete

I hope you enjoy getting to know Nik 😊

I purchased for $250 not long before Google began offering it for free. I've never resented that fact because I've gotten so much use and pleasure out of it.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

Linda From Maine wrote:

I hope you enjoy getting to know Nik 😊

I purchased for $250 not long before Google began offering it for free. I've never resented that fact because I've gotten so much use and pleasure out of it.

I was lucky and got a deal on DXO3 and Nik Effects Pro2 in an upgrade bundle for just over $100 this year. I have really enjoyed using the converter and now I’m finding time to get to know the Nik modules.

couch coyote Loc: northern Illinois

I like this A LOT! Great choice to vignette the edges. I've just used the presets so don't know how to use it yet. Glad to hear from Linda that there's more to explore.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

couch coyote wrote:

I like this A LOT! Great choice to vignette the edges. I've just used the presets so don't know how to use it yet. Glad to hear from Linda that there's more to explore.

Thanks. I’m with you on the learning stage. I’ll get to explore more tomorrow, today was spent on an A/C emergency out of town.

bertloomis Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

The brightest area of the B&W photo that draws your eye in is the sand in the middle where there are no birds. Put one in there and I will like it a whole lot more.

Cttoxdoc

Quick question - I have used Silver EfexPro as an add-on with Lightroom Classic. I usually create a virtual copy of my raw color image and convert it to B/W in LR and continue to tweak before sending it to Efex for more fine tuning. Does anyone have any idea if there an advantage to sending it as the LR-edited color image and letting Efex do the B/W conversion?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Cttoxdoc wrote:

Quick question - I have used Silver EfexPro as an add-on with Lightroom Classic. I usually create a virtual copy of my raw color image and convert it to B/W in LR and continue to tweak before sending it to Efex for more fine tuning. Does anyone have any idea if there an advantage to sending it as the LR-edited color image and letting Efex do the B/W conversion?

I believe Silver Efex is intended to work on a color image. Here's a tutorial that starts with Lightroom:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSay8g5BNkE

Please let us know any tips you learn!

Cttoxdoc

Thanks for the link
Very helpful and some good tips will try next time letting Efex Pro do the conversion to BW and compare to it being done in LR