Nik Silver Efex Pro 2

NakedDex · 08-03-2011 12:02am #1

I've been finding myself playing more and more with b&w images of late, and I've heard good things about Silver Efex as a software package, though no real accounts from any personal end users. The good reviews I've seen were just that, reviews (which I tend to take with a hefty pinch of salt these days).
Has anyone here had any experience with it? I've had my eye on it for a while now, but I think I still need a bit of convincing to part with $200 for it.

gloobag · 08-03-2011 12:15am

I've used the demo. It's pretty good. You really have to tweak the presets to get anything usable though.

I own Color Efex Pro, and find that I'm using it on pretty much every image now. So many effects, and so much tweakability. I love it. Going by the quality of that, I'd say Silver Efex could be just as good if you spent enough time with it.

Borderfox · 08-03-2011 12:16am

Worth every cent, my most used plugin for PS

oshead · 08-03-2011 12:58am

I've got both and regularly use them. Recommended.

SetOverSet · 08-03-2011 1:02am

oshead wrote: »

I've got both and regularly use them. Recommended.

Same here, definitelt recommend. Download the trial before you shell out; I don't think you'll be disappointed...

CabanSail · 08-03-2011 1:04am

I just use the Guy Gowan Mono Techniques. Quick, simple and no plug-ins. Once learned you can do with it what you like as you have control, not a plug in. The cost of that Plug-in would get you two years members subscription to the website where you can learn heaps.

Thecageyone · 08-03-2011 1:21am

I've been eying this for a while. I've taken to B&W quite a bit lately and I'll try anything that will bring the most out in my monos. But ... as my friend CS says, you can try many a technique when it comes to B&W. There's countless combinations across PS and LR. I often combine the 2, in fact, I almost always start in LR and finish in PS, I like both for different tools.

How does this plug in beat the usual techniques? Considering the price.

bullpost · 08-03-2011 10:13am

I've also heard good things about these guys:

http://www.chromasia.com/tutorials/online/

Its a subscription-based service (think about 30 euros per annum) but it gives you lots of video tutorials and detailed workflows and you can download the psds.

NakedDex · 08-03-2011 11:28pm

I must confess, I've heard of the this "Guy Gowan technique" from a few places but never actually bothered investigating it. I may do so before I invest in Silver Efex, if for no other reason than to satisfy my curiosity. In all likelihood, I'll do both at somet stage, but for now I think the trial version (which I wasn't aware of) will suffice to check out the operation of Silver Efex.

Nik Silver Efex Pro 2

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