Selenium in Nik Silver Efex

[Rob MacKillop]

I've revisited a few photos from March, taking them through some selenium toning in Nik Silver Efex. Correct me if I'm wrong, but selenium was added to photos to increase their longevity, and gave them a silvery hue. I find it very attractive. In Nik Silver Effex there are three basic tones of selenium, but an infinite number of ways of subtly adjusting tone, colour, balance. Anyway, here's a few shots.

This one looks like a composite image, but it isn't, just a straight shot...

Vigil by RobMacKillop, on Flickr


Anchored by RobMacKillop, on Flickr


Between Two Bridges by RobMacKillop, on Flickr​

This one has been made to look old:

Forth Road Bridge Old Style by RobMacKillop, on Flickr​

And one from Sunday where I think the selenium toning really made the picture...

Sunday Walk At Cramond by RobMacKillop, on Flickr​

 

[David Mitchell]

I love all of those photos, its amazing how crisp that last image is, its why I like black and white the most

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Amazing!!!! Simply fantastic!!!!!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, guys. The last one might have benefited from a mistake. I hadn't realised the exposure compensation was set to +2, thereby overexposing the sky. A little push of contrast and wee bit selenium created a really nice sky. Must try it again...

 

[Hamish Gill]

These are stunning!
Especially 2 and 3 ...
I think you have nailed the PP!
spot on matey

 

[Chris Dodkin]

#2 - 'kin awesome dude!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Well, thank you very much. I'm blushing with a selenium hue...

 

[Lesley Jones]

They are simply awesome Rob. You know I'm also a fan of selenium - sometimes I amplify the whites a tad when using it, sometimes I don't. The entire set are great, but the second one is incredible!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Leslie. Appreciated.

 

[Pete Askew]

Keep missing the chance to reply to these. Mainly because I keep coming back to look at them. Wonderful stuff again Rob. I think the second is my favourite though. Not only great compositions but the toning works very, very well I think. I think the only thing I would try with such a process would be to get the contrasts and toning a little more the same so they sit together as a set. Not identical though, just a bit closer to each other. As individual images though they are pretty well spot-on I reckon.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Pete. I know what you mean about the set having unified toning and contrast, which is something I did for my beach shots today. It's a good point, which I'll keep in mind...hopefully.