Nik Silver Efex Pro 2

[eric-holmes]

I am looking to take my black and white photography to the next level. I may even like to one day be known simply for my black and white images. Hell, since this insn't my way to pay the bills, I may even like to go strictly black and white.

With that being said, I have heard lots of good things about Nik Silver Efex. I was wondering if anyone on here has personal experience with the software and could maybe show some examples of what they have done with it. I currently use Lightroom and CS5.

 

[Scherm]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe you can download it for a 15 day demo. I have not tried it yet myself, so cannot give you a valid opinion on the software, other than hearing positive reviews by others.

 

[Majeed Badizadegan]

I recommend all the Nik software, certainly Nik Silver Efex is the first stop for BW conversions. Just get it, you won't regret it.

 

[Bo4key]

I use it to complement LR, pretty easy to use and great adjustability in terms of adjustments you can make to fine tune the image. Highly recommend it.

 

[Ballistics]

Since you have CS5 and Lightroom, Nik would be a waste of money. Once I learned how to really create a B&W conversion, my nik plugin goes untouched.

 

[Majeed Badizadegan]

Since you have CS5 and Lightroom, Nik would be a waste of money. Once I learned how to really create a B&W conversion, my nik plugin goes untouched.

I can do anything in CS5 that I can do in Silver Efex. However, it requires more work and it's not as convenient or user friendly. Silver Efex gives you basically unlimited control over your BW conversions and in a convenient layout.

If all he's doing is BW, I wouldn't steer him away from the premier program/plugin for BW conversions...

 

[eric-holmes]

Maybe I don't like new things, but I'm not sure nik is worth the money.*I have been messing with it yesterday a little and it seems most of the things can be duplicated using CS5

 

[Ed Bray]

I have CS5 and Lightroom and still use Nik Silver Efex Pro 2, the amount of localised control over brightness, sharpness and contrast using easily used control points with sliders makes making changes locally a lot easier compared to doing the same in Photoshop.

 

[Robin Usagani]

I use VSCO.

 

[GeorgieGirl]

This was a photo I used it to test the program to decide if I wanted the program. I did buy it and I do like it.

 

[ann]

I love it, as it reminds me of the darkroom and since I grew up with using the Zone system with film it is very familiar.

Since I rarely use Photoshop, it is not easy for me, while the plug is (at least for me)

What the devil is VSCO?

When I first started converting I used channel mixing, but moved to Nik and or Topaz labs black and white programs.

I don't believe there is just one way to do anything with photography.

 

[Robin Usagani]

google it ann.

 

[gsgary]

I am looking to take my black and white photography to the next level. I may even like to one day be known simply for my black and white images. Hell, since this insn't my way to pay the bills, I may even like to go strictly black and white.

With that being said, I have heard lots of good things about Nik Silver Efex. I was wondering if anyone on here has personal experience with the software and could maybe show some examples of what they have done with it. I currently use Lightroom and CS5.

Do it properly and get a MF film camera

 

[eric-holmes]

I am looking to take my black and white photography to the next level. I may even like to one day be known simply for my black and white images. Hell, since this insn't my way to pay the bills, I may even like to go strictly black and white.

With that being said, I have heard lots of good things about Nik Silver Efex. I was wondering if anyone on here has personal experience with the software and could maybe show some examples of what they have done with it. I currently use Lightroom and CS5.

Do it properly and get a MF film camera

I have 2.

 

[Majeed Badizadegan]

Maybe I don't like new things, but I'm not sure nik is worth the money.*I have been messing with it yesterday a little and it seems most of the things can be duplicated using CS5

You asked those of us who've used it, most who've used it will say it's worth it. You can do similar things in CS5 but it's not going to be the same.