NIK Software's Silver Efex Pro

[larrys]

I am trying to make 2011 my year to catch up with the rest of the world in post processing. I take mostly landscapes from my backpacking trips and would love to turn some of my photos into B&Ws. I am considering upgrading my LR 1 to LR 3 and CS3 to CS5. I wanted to know if anyone has used Silver Efex Pro to do their color conversions to B&W. If you read the product reviews they seem positive, but I would like to hear if anyone here has had any experience with it. Thanks

[Angelo]

Larry, an excellent package. I've been using it for all my B&Ws.

[dmarty78]

Silver Effex is the BOMB!!!!!!!!

[Scott1970]

Is Silver Efex a Photoshop/Lightroom plugin, or standalone package?

[dmarty78]

Originally Posted by Scott1970

Is Silver Efex a Photoshop/Lightroom plugin, or standalone package?

It can be used with both LR and Photoshop. I only use it in CS5 though.

[d2creative]

Both.

It's great.

[Scott1970]

I saw NIK Software demoing Silver Efex Pro 2 yesterday at the ImagingUSA expo in San Antonio -- what does this software do that I can't do in PS? (or, what does it do that I can't do EASILY in PS?)

[Angelo]

Scott,
I recommend you test it out and see if it will fit your needs. they have a 15 day free trial.

I have PS, Aperture and two other programs that I can work my B&Ws but I keep coming back to NIK Silver Efects Pro.

It works best for me.

[larrys]

Thank all of you for your input.

[venchka]

I keep going back to Plus-X, Tri-X and Xtol. Grinning.

[Angelo]

Wayne,
Yes I miss all those chemical smells....

[BlueNoteBelzy]

I don't really understand what it does different that LR can't do, but I do know that Nik's HDR software is the BOMB!

[venchka]

Originally Posted by BlueNoteBelzy

I don't really understand what it does different that LR can't do, but I do know that Nik's HDR software is the BOMB!

You haven't tried LR/Enfuse. The price difference alone makes Enfuse a winner.
However, you will only get natural results with Enfuse. If you wish to make cartoons of the real world stick to the Nik software.

[tml]

Wayne,

I do have a glimmer of hope because Picasso must have been a "cartoonist!"

Tri