Silver Efex Pro: a different approach
October 9, 2009 by Robert Louis Vanelli
Filed under News and Events
I attended Vincent Versace’s class on “Practical B&W Conversion for the Common User” at Photoshop World 2009 Vegas. I’ve said it a thousand times, Versace is a GENIUS! I’ve been using Silver Efex Pro, a Photoshop plug-in from NIK Software, for years. It’s main use was to give me that perfect black and white. At the seminar, Versace showed us a totally different use for it, to enhance COLOR. Yes, a black and white plug-in for color. The simple trick; after converting your image using Silver Efex change the layer blend mode to Luminosity. If you don’t have Silver Efex Pro, you can still get better color by using Adobe’s built in Black and White adjustment layer. Although you don’t have as many creative options, it does a pretty good job. This simple tip casually said by a modern day Art Master has given me another tool in my creative arsenal.
I spent less than 5 minutes on this sample. I’ve included the original, (right out of the camera no adjustments), cropped and the Silver Efex versus Adobe’s Black and White adjustment layer.
#PSW A simple tip I learned from an Art Master Vincent Versace while attending Photoshop World Vegas 2009 http://bit.ly/7A8Zm
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You can get some cool “vintage” looks by overlaying split toned images from Silver Effects Pro too.
Another cool idea!
Hey thanks again for helping with the ticket for the Tattoo convention the guy really appreciated it.
The image you edited with Silver Efex Pro is cool, but how do you do it?
I’m assuming you have Silver Efex Pro… Like other plug-ins, I experimented (a professional word for played) with different settings. Try to make the best Black and White as possible. When you are back in Photoshop,change the layer blends mode to luminosity. From there, the sky is the limit. Add a layer mask and either paint in or out the effect. You can also change the opacity of your brush. This should open your eyes to a different way of thinking. Rob Knight suggested using a split toned image for a vintage look.
Did this help? If you need more info, email me.
Yes, Silver Eflex is great for using as a luminosity layer – been doing since it came out. Another thing you can do is create the mask used in SEP. Make a smart object of your image, set your control points and set the brightness on them as high as it will go. Process the image. Dupe the smart object layer and rasterize it. Go back into SEP and change the brightness on all the control points to as dark as they will go. Process the image. Set the top layer to difference and you will have the layer mask. You will need to boost it up with levels, but then you can use it for other PS filters.
Great meeting you at PSW this month. You were great in Joe’s class as a model. I was sitting right behind Larry.
Wow, this is great info. I learned something new today. Thanks V!
I enjoyed meeting you at PSW Vegas.