Choosing Tools for Digital Black and White Conversion

Belle of the Plantation, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 35mm f2 v.3 Lens

iso 400, f2, 1/60 sec.

 

I like to shoot in black and white. I quite often convert my color digital images to monochrome, to get the look I want.

 

I do have Nik's Silver Efex, which I use as a plug-in for Adobe Lightroom. It has a lot of flexibility, and works very well. More often than not, though, I do the conversion directly in Lightroom.

 

(Click Here) to read a post on Digital Photography School, where they present and compare five different plug-ins: Silver Efex Pro 2, Exposure, Perfect Black and White, B&W Effects 2, and DxO FilmPack. Lots of information to help you decide which plug-in may be best for you, if any.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

VSCO Film - Emulate Film or Just Use It?

Discussing the "Elephant in the Room," Smithsonian Natural History Museum

by Reed A. George

Super Ricohflex TLR, Kodak TMax 400 Film

 

I am interested in this concept of emulating the look of film in the digital world. Purists will dismiss it immediately. Others will wonder why you'd want to emulate an old (inferior?) technology. I won't take either stance.

 

I have the full set of NIK software tools (now owned by Google), which allows me to emulate different film looks. I have only really used it to get a Kodak Tri-X look, which I must admit is pretty darned good. But, I find that I rarely use it, even for that.

 

Now there's VSCO Film, another package that seems to go further in emulating specific film emulsions of the past and present.

 

(Click Here) to read a very nice review of the software with lots of examples on the Aperture Priority blog.

 

So, what exactly are my thoughts on this? First, it needs more investigation. I suppose it's possible that sometime during my lifetime film will no longer be available, or will be prohibitively expensive. I hope that doesn't happen, but if it does, this type of software may be more interesting to me.

 

One thing that the blog post above mentions is that while the look is in some cases very representative of the target films, it isn't really film. You don't get that same anticipation of waiting to see what you get back from the processor. For me, that is a factor. I love opening up my envelope and seeing the negatives, then magically turning them into real pictures on my scanner.

 

But, there's another thing. It's the cameras. My film cameras are simply more enjoyable to use than their digital counterparts. That gap is starting to close, though. My Leica M9 could suffice if film were to go away altogether. The new Nikon Df seems like it has similar potential for me. I have yet to see a Micro 4/3 camera that even approaches the feel of a great film camera. My latest, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 isn't even close in this category.

 

But, I'm not dismissing the concept of shooting digital and emulating film. I'm quite happy to continue to shoot film, but can certainly understand how not everyone feels this way. First off, it's becoming expensive. Next, film and processing are getting harder to find. I'm very pleased with using The Darkroom (thedarkroom.com) for my processing, so it's not an issue for now. But, I'm not prescribing shooting film for anyone else.

 

For now, I'm happy to use film, rather than emulating it.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Google and Nik Software - Here's An Answer To The Naysayers!

 

Church on Kauai, by Reed A. George

Processed with Nik HDR Pro Software

 

Last October, I wrote an entry about the news that Nik Software had been purchased by Google.

 

(Click Here) to see that post.

 

Nik makes a suite of software products for digital photo processing - everything from black and white conversion to high dynamic range (HDR), and more. I only owned their HDR Pro product - until now. I have always been pleased with how HDR Pro works.

 

At the time the news of the Google purchase came out, there was a significant amount of speculation that this was bad news for serious photographers, that Google would focus only on Nik's low-end products for web use, etc. I wasn't so sure.

 

I'm happy to report a couple of things that show Google's really in this for the good of photographers as well as casual snapshooters.

 

First off - they've slashed the prices on the whole Nik Suite. I remember seeing it for ~$400 before the Google purchase. Now, it lists for $149!

 

(Click Here) for an article on the price cut on USA Today's website.

 

I think this is great news. You get the significant horsepower and development capabilities of Google at a MUCH lower price than when the company was independent. Hard to complain.

 

Next, I heard a rumor that if you owned any Nik software from the past, even a single package (like me), you could get a free download of the entire suite. Sounds too good to be true. So, I tried it. I went to the Nik homepage, found the contact page, and asked the question. I was completely honest, told them I only owned HDR Pro, and had heard a rumor. They replied very rapidly, asked for my HDR Pro product key, and affirmed that I can receive the entire suite! I haven't received it yet, but expect to very soon. Wow. That is customer service.

 

(Click Here) for Nik's contact page.

 

So, while they sometimes definitely are, big companies aren't always the evil empire. Thanks, Google!

 

One more thing - Nik's lower end product, Snapseed, is also very cool. Search my blog if you want to see a few examples.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

My new Kindle eBook on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, how to set it up and use it, is available here:

 

 

 

Getting That Film Look From Digital - Theme Presents a Nice Summary of Software Options

 

Black and White Conversion Done in Lightroom

 
It's pretty interesting how there seems to be a persistent interest in shooting film, or at least getting results that look like film. I started this morning's blog story search with an article on Theme about how some photographers (I won't say "many"), including some pros, are sticking with film.
 
(Click Here) to read how some pros are continuing to shoot with film.
 
That led me to another article on Theme, about using software to make your digital images look like film. In this piece, they cover five optional add-ons to your normal photo editing software (Adobe Lightroom in my case):
 

1. DxO FilmPack
2. Alien Skin Exposure 4
3. Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 (for black and white)
4. Nik Color Efex Pro 4 (for color)
5. TrueGrain (specifically for grain effects)

(Click Here) to read the whole piece on Theme.
 
The article describes how Sebastiao Salgado refused to switch to digital until he could recreate the look he's always gotten with black and white film (Kodak TriX 400). Now that he's switched, he processes his images with DxO FilmPack, and even transfers them to a film base digitally.
 
Both DxO and Nik have free evaluation versions. Theme suggests that DxO is less expensive, and does the job very well.
 
Personally, I don't like spending time editing images, but do a fair amount of conversion to black and white. I have been doing it all within Lightroom, which allows me to save presets. However, I'm interested in finding out what I've been missing with one of these other packages.
 
I'm tempted to try DxO. However, I already have Nik's excellent HDR Pro software for high dynamic range imaging, so I may try Silver Efex. Maybe I'll try to do this over the holidays. I'll report back after I've had a chance to play a little.
 
Of course, I continue to shoot film as well. I see no reason to be exclusive in my approaches.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com

 
 

Streetshooter's Street Presets - For Lightroom 4 and/or Nik Silver Effects 2

 

Image Source: http://the.me/streetshooters-street-presets-breathing-life-into-street-photography/

 
This is a first for me. Streetshooters is selling premade presets to give your photos a classic street photography look.
 
(Click Here) to read about it at streetpresets.com.
 
Presets are saved sets of parameters. In Lightroom 4, for example, you can make all of the settings that make your pictures look exactly how you want them, then save all of those adjustments as a preset. In this case, you're buying presets that some experienced street photographers have made for you.
 
I must admit that they look pretty darned good in the online samples. I'm not sure how I feel about paying for them. I suppose it's not unreasonable to pay $20 to have an expert give me their favorite settings, which I can reuse as many times as I like, or even customize a little further to my own liking, and save as my own preset.
 
Hmm. Something to consider. I'll let you know if I do it.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

When to Use Micro 4/3 Versus Leica?

As you may have noticed, I have recently been shooting with a Leica M9. It is new to me, and I'm genuinely loving it. However, you probably also know my attraction to Panasonic Lumix equipment. I'm doing a lot of thinking about how and when to use each kit.

By Neil Buchan-Grant, Olympus OM-D, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4

Image Source: http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/P8060330-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg

 

I read a piece on Steve Huff's site by Neil Buchan-Grant about his thoughts on using the new Olympus OM-D and M9. His conclusion is that he uses the Micro 4/3 kit (OM-D and typically the Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4) about 95% of the time, and the M9 about 5%. But, those numbers don't tell the whole story, or maybe they do. The Leica is not a numbers camera. It is a user's camera.

 

(Click Here) to read Neil's piece on Steve Huff Photo.

 

Neil reports that he has sometimes wondered why he carries the M9 on his travels, when the OM-D ends up being used most of the time. He then concludes that if you have the time, the M9 can really make special images. I believe that to be true.

 

I fully expect the M9 to become my favorite camera for slow, thoughtful photography (it's nearly there now). However, I will still rely on the Lumix gear for my travels. I cannot complain at all about what the G3 and great Panasonic glass have to offer, especially in such a compact package. And, as new announcements come from Panasonic, it only gets better.

 

Neil also mentions using Silver Efex Pro2 for his black and white conversions. I must give that software a try. I have sort of mastered conversion in Lightroom, but would like to try some other approaches.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Nik Software Bought By Google - Good or Bad?

 

Image Source: http://www.niksoftware.com/hdrefexpro/usa/index.php

 

The Online Photographer reports that Google has purchased Nik Software, makers of photo editing software.

 

(Click Here) to read the post and responses.

 

Personally, I use Nik's HDR Efex Pro, and find it very nice to work with. I am interested in trying Silver Efex (which is a monochrome conversion tool, to turn color images to black and white in a controlled way). I have also played with the app Snapseed, which is also a Nik product. It's actually very cool.

 

When I saw the news, my first thought was that this could be good for the company. Google's developmental and financial resources could ensure stability and really push the tools ahead. Most commenters disagree, and see this as bad news.

 

I will admit - I have no data on how products fare after companies are acquired by Google. Some commenters think that Google will focus solely on Snapseed, and kill the rest. That would be a shame. I kind of doubt that.

 

Thoughts? Predictions?

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 
 

 

 

On Culling Your Images - by Guest Contributor Lara White on digitall-photography-school.com

 

 

Image Source:
http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dessert-table-closeup.jpg
 
Guest Contributor Lara White wrote a nice piece on digital-photography-school.com about the merits of not only editing and evaluating your images, but actually selecting the best and deleting the rest.


(Click Here) to read the original article on digital-photography-school.com


Lara suggests that we should "be ruthless" in deciding which images to keep, and which to throw away. She makes several points regarding why this is a good practice, including that making decisions makes us learn what's right and wrong with each image, that it allows our truly great shots to stand out without being surrounded by average ones, and that over time it teaches us which perspectives and compositions work.


I found Lara's examples - a ho-hum shot of a dessert table, and a smashing closeup of a single dessert (image above) useful. I think it reinforces the idea that simple is better, and reminds me of one of my own faults - trying to tell the whole story in one picture. Sometimes that's just not effective, or even possible.


There is one other benefit to ruthlessly deleting everything but our best work, and that is storage space (and associated access time). Not only do hard drives fill up fast, it takes a finite amount of effort to find those best shots again, when they're surrounded by marginal ones in the directory. Yes, Lightroom's flags and selection tools make this easier, but it can never be easier than not having the clutter there in the first place.


The only downside I can see is that we may inadvertently delete images that will become important to us later. I think that's pretty rare.


Something good to consider when thinking about your workflow.


DMC-365.blogspot.com




 

Now This Could Be Cool - An Online Lumix

 

Image Source: http://files.petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2012/03/samsung_mini1.jpg

According to a post on PetaPixel, both Samsung and Panasonic are considering adding internet capability to cameras, using the Android operating system.

(Click Here) for the PetaPixel post.

I can imagine that it would be nice to be able to automatically upload images to my flickr account, even while I'm shooting. I can also imagine using my camera to guide me when I get lost. I guess I can even imagine using a bluetooth device to talk on my camera. But, what I can't imagine is that many people will not also have a phone in their pocket while they're out shooting. So, maybe the real usage will be restricted to photo-related tasks?

I also wonder if this would be limited to the Japanese market for Panasonic products? As far as I know, they sell phones in Japan, but I'm not sure if they sell anywhere else. I'm pretty sure Panasonic phones are not available in the US.

Anyway, this is intriguing.

I think I'd rather have wireless connection from my camera to my iPad, honestly. Now that would be cool.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Digital Photography Now Reports Panasonic's Efforts to Make Wireless Connections for Lumix Cameras

Image Source: http://dpnow.com/8569.html

Digital Photography Now has published a report on Panasonic's plan to provide simple wireless connection between Lumix cameras and Viera televisions, and to cloud-based storage.

(Click Here) to see the whole report on Digital Photography Now.

Personally, I would love to have real-time automatic wireless upload of my images to the web, cloud, and my PC. Connecting to the TV means a lot less to me. If real-time is not feasible, I would be happy with automatic batch uploading of my files while my camera sits in the bag, after I get home from a shoot. But, and please listen Panasonic, I want to be able to turn it off quicky, so that my device won't be "busy" if I wantto shoot an image real quickly.

The other thing that worries me a little is that it appears that Panasonic will make their cell phone (which I don't think is available in the USA at this time) a critical piece in the wireless system. That would be a serious drawback here in the USA, even if the phones were available. It would also be market-size-limiting, given the extremely strong cell phone competition here (do you really want to depend on Americans giving up their iPhones?), and our desire to mix and match suppliers at will.

All that said, I am up for improved connectivity!

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Adobe Releases Photoshop Touch For The iPad

Adobe Releases Photoshop Touch for the iPad!

Image Source: http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-touch.html

I love the way my photographs look on the backlit screen of my iPad 2. Now that I have the ability to transfer images using the iPad Camera Connect Kit, there are only two things missing: 1) sufficient storage to treat the iPad as my backup device, and 2) software to edit images on the go.

Click below for a link to the Apple iPad Camera Connect Kit:

Now, Adobe has announced an iPad app called Photoshop Touch, potentially solving one of my two issues. The app reportedly provides a lot of Photoshop-like functionality, and interfaces with the touchscreen interface well.

 

(Click Here) for the Adobe page about the new app.

 

It is available on the App Store for $9.99. I will be downloading this in the next day or so, and will report on how it works for me.

 

Further Note - after reading a little further, I'm not so sure this is going to help me all that much. The adobe site says that image size is limited to 1600 pixels on a side. That's only 2.5 Megapixels, folks! Really? I'm sure that's enough to look good on the iPad screen, but means that the resulting files won't be big enough for other uses. Well, I may still give it a try...

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com