There is something different about a black and white photo (Ed: yeah, the colours are missing, dickhead). The absence of colour leaves only the subject and the composition for the eye to ponder; and of course, with the right subject matter, black and white can evoke the photographs of old.
Modern photo processing software allows you to easily create a B&W image by clicking on a button. Lightroom has a number of presets that will produce variations on a B&W theme, and quite honestly that is enough for an amateur idiot like myself.
If you want to get serious about B&W processing, then you probably need Nik Silver Efex Pro; but it looks far too complex for an ancient pensioner to master, and far too expensive at $199 for an ancient pensioner.
But now, salvation is at hand for those who fancy dicking around with B&W without the cost or complication, thanks to Topaz B&W Effects.
I already own Topaz Adjust 4, and it is a load of fun for creating interesting looking images. Now there is B&W Effects for creating interesting looking black and white images. Even better news is the price, only $29.99 for an introductory period; even an ancient pensioner can afford that.
The interface is the same as Topaz Adjust. On the left you have a large (about 150) selection of presets that you can use a starting point for your conversion, and on the right are the detailed tools you can use to fine tune your masterpiece.
I have the same problem as I had with the presets in Adjust. I click one and think it looks good. I click another and think that looks good too. Try another, maybe even better than the first two. And so it continues for some time until I find a view I decide I like best. I expect familiarity will lead you to presets that are preferred for specific types of photos.
Of to the right hand side, and the tools you find there are really very powerful. The Conversion tools allow you to change the overall look of the image including manipulating exposure, curves and the changing the look based on the underlying colours of the image. Creative Effects offer goodies such as posterize (sic) and even Camera Shake, although why you would want to add a camera shake look I am not sure.
Having created the overall look of the image the way you want it, the local adjustments tool allows you to change parts of the image. Sharpen up the eyes of your subject perhaps, colour in a part of the image, dodge and burn like a darkroom zombie; it’s all there. And there is an “edge aware” function which makes only affecting the area you want to change very easy.
The Finishing Touches tools allow you to change the look based on paper and siver tone and grain type. Add a border and some vignetting. Last of all, and potentially very powerful, you can alter the transparency of your conversion, such that some of the underlying colour image creeps through.
I have only had a little play, but I am very impressed. This is a fun tool to make some cool looking images, and a serious tool if you really want to do some extensive work to produce a perfect black and white image.
My first few attempts:
I let some of the colour in the brickwork come through:
Using one of the painting style presets. I like what it did to the tree:
Used the brush tool to bring back the colour in the monk’s robe, and sharpen up his eyes:
Finally, she who must be obeyed’s little sister with a rather too shiny apple. Tweaked a preset which gave a heavily vignetted, dreamy look. Left in a little of the colour:
Topaz B&W Effects is easy and fun to use, and extremely powerful if you feel you have the need to be extremely powerful. At the current price it is a steal. Get it here.