b&w plug in with 'film' look

[steven:s]

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Hi, I am sure this has been asked before, but can anyone recommend a good plug in that gives good b&w film characteristics?... I currently use an M8 with Lightroom 2.

Thanks for you help

[richfx]

NIK Silver Efex Pro is really good and fun to work with.

Rich

[stunsworth]

I use Alien Skin Exposure.

 

I've tried Silver Efex Pro and didn't find it sufficiently different to tempt me, they both work in more or less the same way. You'll probably be happy with either.

[57andrew]

I vote for SIlver Efex Pro but I have not tried ASE. I know at least one forum member who prefers straight PS conversions but I have been happy with Efex Pro. Here is an example of a B&W conversion I did - there are others on my site.

 

Three steps to Cat Street | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Andrew

[stunsworth]

I vote for SIlver Efex Pro but I have not tried ASE.

 

Both have free trials, so if I were the OP I'd download them both and pick the one I liked the most. Both can be used as a PS filter, or from within Lightroom.

[250swb]

I use Silver Efex Pro as a Photoshop plugin. Its an incredibly versatile piece of software and the built in film presets feel pretty accurate regarding grain and tone,.... although I don't often use them.

 

Steve

[stevev1969]

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DxO Film Pack is nice too, although I don't know about it being plug in, I use it as an external editor after Aperture.

[horosu]

You can try Raw Photo Processor.

 

it has the best BW conversion, IMHO

[viramati]

+1 for silver efex pro. the grain emulation is very good knocking LR3 grain attempt into the long grass

[frasier]

You might also want to take a look at TRUE GRAIN under TrueGrain Overview. This is an absolute pro-tool for simulating B/W styles.

 

They lowered the price recently from more than US$ 200 to US $ 50 now.

 

Best, Jochen

[johnwolf]

Why not try both Silver Efex Pro and Alien Skin trials? I use Silver Efex but find it's performance so slow in LR that I run it in Photoshop instead. The interfaces are also very different and you'll likely have a preference.

 

John

[ldhrads]

Fiddling around with Truegrain, which I must admit is very simple to use, here's a B+W conversion in aperture using Ilford Delta 3200 simulation and the same photo with truegrains Ilford Deltoa 3200 simulation

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[tobey bilek]

Amazing we have come full circle. Decades were devoted to finding the best fine grain developer and using super fine grain film like tech pan.

 

Then came digital and we get a smooth image like an 8x10 contact. So now we are working to put back what we spent decades trying to eliminate. Photogs are never happy.

 

Scan monochrome film. You get pleanty of grain.

 

Make a new layer in photoshop. Use the add grain filter. Make it large /small and sharp/soft, color or monochrome, Then use the "blend if" function to confine the grain to the middle tones. Use option key on the sliders to split them so as to make gradual transitions. The grain can be made to look like any film you want. Even make a layer mask and brush it in/out where you want. Adjust layer opacity to desired level. You will love this simple technique.

 

I am guilty of not being satisfied also.