Stormfront Over California

[Chris Dodkin]

X100 f8 - PP in Topaz B&W

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Incredible, Chris. Really beautiful. I think I want to live there!

 

[Pete Askew]

Another super and moody shot Chris. Bird just in the right place too.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I have CS3 - is Topaz worth getting? I like the B&W tones you are getting.

 

[Brian Moore]

The tone really does suit this moody fotie, Chris. Lovely compo, too.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I have CS3 - is Topaz worth getting? I like the B&W tones you are getting.

Rob, I really love it - and it's compatible with Adobe Photoshop CS3-CS5.5

They do a free download demo of B&W Effects that's worth a try to see if you like it

Topaz B&W Effects - Black, White and Beyond

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Another super and moody shot Chris. Bird just in the right place too.

Thanks Pete - I waited for that bird to drop into frame, which did expose a slight issue with the X100 - the viewfinder doesn't really represent what you'll finally get in frame, so exact composition with the viewfinder can be hit or miss.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

The tone really does suit this moody fotie, Chris. Lovely compo, too.

Tanks Brian - the light yesterday evening was really nice - gap lighting as the sun came through the bottom of the clouds at sunset. Made for lovely textures in the cliffs, and hence I immediately went for a B&W treatment

 

[Pete Askew]

There's also Nik SilverFX Pro 2 and DxO film pack and the offerings from Pixel Genius. All have free trials.

DxO FilmPack - Description, Functionalities, Specifications
The World's Leading Black and White Software
PixelGenius - PhotoKit

My preferred tool is SilverFX but Filmpack is superb also. The PixelGenius products are good but not as comprehensive (their burn tone set are stunning though). I bought Topaz (encouraged by Vic) but to be honest I have only had a quick play and prefer the Nik software. However, when turned down (as it were) it is capable of some superb work as Chris and the others demonstrate so well.

 

[Hamish Gill]

That's a stunning shot Chris!
The lighting is lovely!

 

[Ralph Thornton]

Chris, nice capture and PP. very good work.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Just looking at this again ...
Is there any detail to be squeezed out of the shadow bottom left, I find my eye drawn to it a little as a lost area ...
Just being picky though really ...

 

[Chris Dodkin]

There is Hamish - I applied a vignette and that's really what is darkening that area - it's much lighter on the original

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Chris, nice capture and PP. very good work.

Thanks Ralph