Topaz B&W - 1st try - C+C appreciated.

[Kris V]

I just downloaded the trial of Topaz B&W and did a test run on this photo.
Am I going in the right direction?
#1: cropped but SOOC (Kodak Z8612)


#2 PP with Topaz B&W - 2 different settings and blended


Donald, I'm anxiously waiting on your expert opinion.

[Donald]

Donald, I'm anxiously waiting on your expert opinion.

That just makes me feel nervous.

The first thing I think we we can say is that you are certainly going in the right direction.

I've never used Topaz, so will be interested to hear what you think. It certainly brings out good texture on the tree bark and on the timbers of the house.

I'm not sure what is meant by "2 different settings and blended". It's a like a duo tone, is that what you mean?

But, it (and you) certainly seem to be capable of producing the goods. Go for it.

[Kris V]

That just makes me feel nervous.



I'm not sure what is meant by "2 different settings and blended". It's a like a duo tone, is that what you mean?

But, it (and you) certainly seem to be capable of producing the goods. Go for it.

What I mean is that I duplicated the original layer twice, and ran a separate topaz setting on each duplicate layer. Used luminosity blending mode at 80% opacity and deleted the original.
Converted to jpg for posting.
Topaz B&W seems like a nice extra next to Silver FX and not as resource hungry. I may just buy it when my trial period is up. (and hubby approves)

[Donald]

I notice on their website that they're offering a big introductory discount if you buy before, I think, September 18th. Might be worth thinking about. If you see yourself wanting to do a lot of B & W, then I'm sure it's certainly worth going for.

I see them also saying that it's not resource hungry. Don't know if this is them trying to a have a swipe at Silver Efex Pro 2, with which a lot of people have had a lot of problems

[Kris V]

I notice on their website that they're offering a big introductory discount if you buy before, I think, September 18th. Might be worth thinking about. If you see yourself wanting to do a lot of B & W, then I'm sure it's certainly worth going for.

I see them also saying that it's not resource hungry. Don't know if this is them trying to a have a swipe at Silver Efex Pro 2, with which a lot of people have had a lot of problems

I agree with the 'not resource hungry". When Silver FX came out with vesrion 2, I installed the trial version on my laptop (limited to 2 GB memory) and it took forever for the screen to come up, and the file to render. I had time for a potty break and a cup of coffee before the Silver FX layer came up.
So, Silver FX resides on my desktop, and I may just buy Topaz for my laptop. I use it mostly for work anyway, and really don't need any heavy-duty stuff on it.

PS: You created a monster with your beautiful B/W postings. I'm hooked!

[arith]

I was offered that; can you do some more. It is hard to judge from one photo, and I already got Topaz InFocus earmarked. cheers

[Kris V]

I was offered that; can you do some more. It is hard to judge from one photo, and I already got Topaz InFocus earmarked. cheers

I'm currently using the trial version. I'm still at work, but I'll go through my "to be discarded" folder when I get home, and play with a couple more pictures.

[arith]

Cheers Kristianna; lovely

[Kris V]

One more - before I call it a day......
This is one from about 5 yrs ago - Cheap Nikon P&S.


Topaz Edit:

This one surprised me - I was just playing with sliders and adjustment brushes - I don't really kept track of what I was doing.
I liked the way it came out.

[jjbacoomba]

Hi Kris , I currently use PaintShop Pro X2 for all my PP. Love it so far. I am very new to all this so I still have ALOT to learn.Very nice job on your photos. I might check out Topaz B&W as I would love to spend more time doing B&W.Your second photo is a memorial at the Alamo. My Great-great grand father fought there. Gregorio Esparza. He is one of the men manning the cannon on the memorial.Can you post a straight B&W photo using Topaz please? Would love to see it. Thanks, Joe

[Kris V]

Hi Kris , I currently use PaintShop Pro X2 for all my PP. Love it so far. I am very new to all this so I still have ALOT to learn.Very nice job on your photos. I might check out Topaz B&W as I would love to spend more time doing B&W.Your second photo is a memorial at the Alamo. My Great-great grand father fought there. Gregorio Esparza. He is one of the men manning the cannon on the memorial.Can you post a straight B&W photo using Topaz please? Would love to see it. Thanks, Joe

Hi Joe,
I aim to please:
This is the classic preset in Topaz, I used the detail brush on the monument. Hope you like it.

[arith]

Looks great. Will the 'plugsnpixels' coupon code work?

http://www.plugsandpixels.com/topazsuite.html

[Kris V]

Looks great. Will the 'plugsnpixels' coupon code work?

http://www.plugsandpixels.com/topazsuite.html

I don't know if it works in the UK. I already have the whole suite for a while, and I probably will buy the b/w as well. Maybe one of the UK members can help you out here?