robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

In re the query by "rv8striker" here is my seed pod converted in Silver Efex.

My closeup of a milkweed pod shedding leaves got some attention on multiple photo forums and a suggestion I try conversion to B&W/Monotone. So I redid it and finished in NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 with a touch of toning so it is 99% Black, Gray and White.

I am sure an expert in post processing could do better but I kind of like it. Maybe just a touch too dark once out of Lightroom so I also have a lightened version.

5DIV, Canon 100 f/2.8 Macro, 1/200 @ f/8, ISO-400
hand held with a Ring Light macro flash

(Download)


(Download)

Amator21 Loc: California

I like the lighter one better, but they are both fabulous. Thanks for posting!

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

I think that first one is just perfect!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Thank you ever so much and you are welcome.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Thank You

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I am partial to Number one because there seems to be a great deal more detail.

Now forgive me this question. I don’t post process simply because I don’t have any software. I have never heard of Silver Efex.
I have a Canon AE-1 and a Canon 1v-HS. I would like to use Ilford HP5. How would I set my camera to get such great results? Or should I just use my 5D Mark IV and set it to monochrome? Can you give me insight for such phenomenal photographs.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

NIK Silver Efex is a digital processing app designed to convert color to B&W with many filters and options for manipulation of the shades, tones, color balance, contrast etc. I find that sometimes it does a better job than the process built into Lightroom and Photoshop. I bought a NIK bundle of apps a couple of years ago when they one of those "24 hour" sales at about 90% off on a holiday weekend. Silver Efex was one of the apps included in a bundle of about 4 or 5. Of course the rest of their apps were not on sale or in the bundle, so if you wanted all of them you had to buy them at regular price.

I shoot 99.99% of the time in RAW and then later if I want monochrome I convert. That way I have my choice of color or mono on every image. If you shoot mono in camera that is what you get, no color later if you change your mind. You should have a digital processing app that came with your camera. Fairly basic, but also fairly good. And the Adobe Photographers bundle is $10 a month. NIK by DXO is a set of 8 plugins for LR and PS that are souped up versions of some of the key aspects of LR/PS. They add on to and extend those functions making them even more powerful and usually with control Adobe doesn't have or Adobe's versions don't go as far.
Topaz Labs also has a bundle of plugins for LR/PS, some do the same things as the NIK apps, but some do different things. Many people have at least some apps from both sources. I have four from NIK and four from Topaz.
But I am not a real expert in post processing, I don't have the patience to learn all about all of them. I search for tutorials etc and learn parts of each when I need them. I doubt if I will live long enough to learn all aspects of all of them.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Thank you very much for the education I have received. I used to photograph with Kodak BW400CN film. I would get wonderful sepia toned prints. I miss those days and that film. I love working with film and it does challenge you.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I started with a cheap little TLR when I was in 5th grade. In the Army in 66 I bought a used Argus C3 from a pawn shop near Ft Ord. Then in the Fall of 67 on R&R to Tokyo from Vietnam a friend and I each bought a Miranda Sensorex with a two lens kit at the post exchange at Yakota AFB. We rode the "Bullet Train" from downtown Tokyo to the base and back. That is the fastest I have ever gone when I wasn't in an aircraft. I had other film cameras, an OM-1 with a power winder and telephoto for birds i bought from a pawn shop's booth at a gun show at the LA Fairgrounds. A Mamiya 645, several pocket sized cameras, a second Miranda body so I could do B&W and Color at the same time and a Speed Graphic with flash and other accessories in the original leather covered case I got for $35 at a garage sale and a 4x5 studio model I also got at a garage sale. I had my own darkroom gear and either worked in the bathroom with foil over the windows or later an over sized laundry room with counters and double sinks built during a remodel of my first house. I did prints up to 11x14 on a Bogen enlarger I traded the 4x5 studio camera for from another teacher who was also a part time portrait photographer. Just after I started in digital 20 years ago I gave the enlarger to a young guy from Mexico. He was visiting his Aunt on my block, I had the enlarger sitting on the driveway while I cleaned the garage. He saw it and asked if I would sell it. He learned on the same model in his Uncle's photo shop/studio in Mexico and wanted to start his own shop in another town and wanted the same enlarger he learned on. I was getting ready to donate it to Good Will so I gave it to him right on the spot.
I was extremely glad to transition to digital and get away from developing and being in a dark room. The fumes would give me asthma attacks from time to time. Working on a computer in a well lite and ventilated room made my lungs very happy.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Top one for me.

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

#1 has better detail

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice!

rv8striker Loc: St. Louis, MO area

Thank you! Sometimes I see an image, like yours, that I think might look good in monochrome. I am not disappointed in your conversions. So nice of you to take the time to do that. Thank you again.

blacks2 Loc: SF. Bay area

Excellent.

kvanhook Loc: Oriental, NC

Prefer #1. To each his own, said the old lady as she kissed the cow.