B&W Conversion Software

RobSutton · #1 (**permalink**) 13-05-2009, 07:22 PM

I've been processing some shots from a recent trip to the Outer Hebrides all day and got a bit bored so I thought I'd have a play converting things into B&W using some software from DxO (it's called FilmPack 2).

This is the original:

and when converted:

The software allows you to mimic the grain size, type and style of classic B&W films. This one was set to mimic Kodak Tri-X 400 - one of the best, grainy B&W films from days gone by. I was pretty pleased with the moody appearance of it. To see it at it's best you'll need to click twice on the thumbnail to see the large image.

What do you think?

Keith Talbot · #2 (**permalink**) 13-05-2009, 07:30 PM

i prefer it in b&w rob,its amazing what the transforamtion does,

i did a similar thing when we last had snow,most of the pics looked fairly ordinary until i converted them to b&w,i suddenly found i had alot more ' keepers '

i then went through a lot of my old landscape pics with a whole new outlook

Maccattack1 · #3 (**permalink**) 15-05-2009, 02:02 PM

Like the effect , changes the mood a fair bit ,gives us lots more options.

Malcolm

Geoff F · #4 (**permalink**) 15-05-2009, 06:34 PM

You can create the same effects with most editing software. Use the Channel Mixer control, select Monochrome and adjust the RGB balance to suit. Just make sure that all the percentages add up to 100.

Somewhere, I have the 'receipes' for creating most of the popular film effects.

If you include a Curves Adjustment Layer you can vary the contrast. And a Hue/Sat layer will enable you to vary the Hue which can give some interesting effects, particularly with the sky.