Fall River Camera Club

Owner Eric Luden made a trip to Fall River last night to present his black & white program to over 30 photographers at the Fall River Camera Club.  What I like most about speaking with photographers at these camera clubs is their passion about photography.  They are doing this for fun, pleasure and education, and are not jaded by the demands of trying to make a living with their hobby.

I give an overview of the changes that have impacted black & white photography as digital methods have evolved since the mid- 90's.  I explain how photographers used an LVT film recorder to produce b&w negatives and then made darkroom prints and then the evolution of inkjet printing.  We discussed the evolution of digital enlargers, like the Lightjet or Durst Lambda and how we utilize the Durst Theta 51 to produce real black & white continuous tone prints.

Photographers are aware that black & white photography is making a comeback.  So many digital tools are available to make this possible, including multiple plugins and other software.  More than a third of the members already own Nik Silver Efex Pro and are eagerly awaiting the launch of Silver Efex Pro 2, which is due out at the end of this month.  This plugin makes working in black & white so much easier and produces the cleanest files.  When you combine this with our silver gelatin printing service, you get the best of both worlds. 

Thanks to Lorraine for inviting me down to the club - you have an excellent organization and I look forward to coming back. Congratulations to Richard who won the raffle for a free 11x14 Fiber print!

Interesting feedback on Nik HDR software

A few lucky photographers have had their hands on the beta version of the new Nik HDR Efex Pro software that will start shipping this week.  Like us, we're anticipating another great product from the folks at Nik.  They have demonstrated great products and some of the best web tutorials and support.  We believe that when utilized properly, this will be another enhancement to our true black and white silver gelatin printing process.

Here is what one photographer had to say about his experience:

"I have been playing with CS5 HDR becuase I've been very disappointed with my current HDR software. But still I had not been able to get any HDR images that I like better than a straight shot with some localized adjustments using Nik Viveza.  Maybe all user error.  But I could not get good HDR images like they show in the HDR books with Photoshop or Photomatix.  Lots of other people have fantastic results with these I know.  I've failed.

Last week I tried the demo version of the NIK HDR program (I am on their email lists, since I already have some of their products). Wow!  With only watching the 3 minute Nik video, I was making HDR photos that were so much better than the junk I had before."

We are excited to be one of Nik's top resellers in the country.  We work very closely with them and have provided B&W silver gelatin prints for their trade shows. DSI is offering a workshop on HDR on November 3rd from 6-8PM at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA.  Join Victor Ha of Nik Software as he reveals the technology and creative possibilities behind Nik Software’s latest creation, HDR Efex Pro! Victor will explain the techniques of how to properly shoot HDR for the best results, demonstrate the uses of HDR Efex Pro’s revolutionary features, and show how it integrates into Nik Software’s complete workflow solution of photographic products. Registration is required, so please visit the DSI registration page for complete details and information.

Digital Silver Imaging creates true black and white silver gelatin prints directly from digital files.

Check our special software pricing for great deals on Nik Software!

Nik Software Announces Availability for HDR Efex Pro™

Köln, Germany, September 21st, 2010 – From the Nik Software Press Release

Nik Software today announces that its highly anticipated HDR Efex Pro software will be available October 11, 2010. This completely new HDR solution is designed to help professional and amateur photographers quickly and easily achieve the full spectrum of HDR enhancements from the realistic to artistic. The company is showcasing HDR Efex Pro with live demonstrations of the software at Photokina 2010 at booth H09 in hall 4.1.

“Our HDR Efex Pro beta group has over 500 photography industry professionals and HDR enthusiasts and the feedback from this group has been both comprehensive and incredibly positive,” said Michael J. Slater, President and CEO of Nik Software. “We have incorporated many of the recommendations from this group and I am confident that this product will truly advance HDR imaging.”

HDR Efex Pro brings innovative and best-in-class technologies to HDR, including proprietary unrivaled tone mapping, Nik Software’s award-winning U Point® technology, and powerful ghost reduction, all of which have been developed specifically in response to photographers’ requests. HDR Efex Pro overcomes limitations in other software products with a revolutionary all-in-one approach that enables both realistic and artistic effects to be applied within a single tool. Photographers looking to explore the new realm of HDR will find that HDR Efex Pro offers a complete solution that takes HDR to new levels and offers new possibilities to fine-tune and finish HDR images with a simple and intuitive workflow.

Nik Software’s U Point® technology provides, for the first time, precise selective fine-tuning of HDR images without the need for complicated selections or layer masks. Photographers will find that the ability to control adjustments exactly where they want them provides unprecedented power and will further enhance their ability to create amazing HDR images.

Key Features
· Intuitive interface, with easy to understand photographic terminology and the actual processed results always displayed
· U Point powered selective tools for fast, precise enhancements of contrast, shadow, structure and saturation adjustments
·  Multiple proprietary tone mapping algorithms enabling a wide range of HDR styles and capabilities
· Visual presets that produce amazing results in a single-click
· Ability to create the HDR look from a single exposure
· Advanced technology for automatic image alignment and reduction of subject motion artifacts known as “ghosts”
· All-in-one workflow enabling the creation of professional HDR images

Pre-Launch special from Digital Silver Imaging is $139.95 plus receive 50% off your first print order when you purchase the software from DSI.  HDR Efex Pro is Free with either of the Complete Collections. Visit the DSI Nik Software page for our special offer.

Black & White workflow using Nik Silver Efex Pro-Wed April 21st

Digital Silver Imaging is pleased to announce our 2nd FREE Webinar on Nik Software and Silver Efex Pro.

When: Wednesday April 21st 1PM Eastern Time
Where: Your Computer

Registration Required at the DSI Site

Join Victor Ha of Nik Software and Digital Silver Imaging for an in depth training on the award winning Nik Silver Efex Pro. Silver Efex Pro from Nik Software is the most powerful tool for creating professional quality black and white images from your digital files. For the first time, all the advanced power and control required for professional results have been brought together in one convenient tool. We will demonstrate how to work with your digital files from RAW to print in an easy to follow online training.

Digital Silver Imaging's exceptional silver gelatin prints are enhanced by the excellence of Nik Software Photoshop plug-ins.  We have been using Silver Efex Pro in our lab since Nik Software launched the software in July 2008.  It has revolutionized the way we worked and saved us many hours of wasted production time.  It provides an excellent conversion from color RGB to B&W RGB and preserves all the necessary information in the channels to provide smooth transitions form highlight to shadow in our silver printing process.  In addition, the Upoint Technology developed by Nik Software makes use of the Control Points in their plugins for precise control of specific areas of your files, without having to make multiple masks.  In addition, the film grain simulation that is built into Silver Efex Pro is phenomenal!

We have printed images for Nik Software, for their trade show booths, and made many successful black & white prints for clients around the world.  As a result, we have become a reseller of the Nik Software and have excellent pricing on all of their plugins. 

Be sure to join us for the free webinar training on Thursday April 21st at 1PM Eastern Time.

Evolution of the Revolution

Over the past 6 months, we have converted close to 100 cameras to digital Infrared for our clients.  These conversions are usually at 715nm, which produces files that are very similar to the classic black & white infrared images we had with film photography.  Our continued partnership with Precision Camera has enabled us to provide an outstanding service to our clients who are looking for solid advise and experience. Precision Camera has also selected Digital Silver Imaging as their preferred partner for Infrared Conversions.

Once we have converted the cameras, we can then advise people about how to work with their files.  The images that come up in the camera and in your photo editing software will still have to be adjusted to produce a true Infrared image.  This is what you can expect your digital file will look like:

The file looks red or magenta.  We have found that working with Nik Silver Efex Pro software yields the best results for all of our black and white digital work, and especially when we're working with digital infrared files from our clients. 

We open our RAW file in Photoshop and then launch Silver Efex Pro and look at the preview file again.

In this side by side comparison, we can still see the RAW file on the left and the initial black and white conversion on the right.  Nik gives you some basic presets on the left hand side as a good starting point.  For many of the Infrared files we have received, we have found that the preset for "High Structure" yields great results.  You may have to reduce the amount of structure depending on the individual file.

Neutral Setting                              High Structure

Of course you can continue to tweak and edit the file according to your own needs.  We like to add in one of the preset film types that comes with Nik Silver Efex Pro.

 

Digital Silver Imaging is offering a special package price on Infrared Conversions and Silver Efex Pro software.  We can provide conversions on most major digital cameras, from compact point & shoot models to full frame DSLR's like the Canon 5d.

Save $10 on any compact camera model or $25 on any DSLR model when you buy Nik Silver Efex Pro from Digital Silver Imaging.

DSI Announces Agreement with Nik Software

Photo Plus Booth 863 – Eric Luden, owner of Digital Silver Imaging, was a user of Nik software before he became a reseller.  “Nik’s Dfine 2.0, Sharpener Pro 3.0 and Silver Efex Pro saved us many hours of Photoshop time and helped us produce some of the finest B&W images we’ve printed”, says Luden.  “Our relationship just continued to grow from there, and we became an authorized dealer of Nik software.  We’ll have co-operative displays at Photo Plus and will launch a joint webinar and field training seminars after the show.”

Luden is scheduled to present on the software, particularly Silver Efex Pro, at an upcoming B&H Photo event scheduled for Monday, November 2.  Per Luden, “The Silver Efex Pro is a remarkably complete package for those working in black and white.  The software gives the user total control of tonality and contrast.  The software emulates most of the common B&W film types, allowing the user to choose grain, color sensitivity and tone curves as needed.  In addition, Silver Efex Pro gives additional brush and filter tools when used on conjunction with Adobe Photoshop.  It really is a package that can be used by professionals and hobbyists alike.”

To promote the software at Photo Plus, Digital Silver Imaging is offering special show pricing on Nik Software purchased at the their booth during the show.  Details on the offer, including an additional discount on printing services through DSI, can be found here.

In addition, DSI plans to raffle off two packages containing a Canon G series camera, converted by Precision Camera to shoot in infrared, plus a copy of Nik’s Silver Efex Pro.  One package will be raffled off on Thursday, October 22 and one on Friday, October 23.

Join our FREE Web Training session for Silver Efex Pro on Wednesday Oct 28th from 3-4PM Eastern Time.



Click here for free registration.

DSI and Nik Software to present at B&H Photo 11/2/09

Complete Control for Professional Quality

Black and White with Nik Software and Digital Silver Imaging

November 2^nd 2009 3-5 PM at B&H Photo Event Space

Silver Efex Pro from Nik Software is the most powerful tool for creating professional quality black and white images from your photographs. For the first time, all the advanced power and control required for professional results have been brought together in one convenient tool.

Featuring Nik Software’s patented U Point® technology to selectively control the tonality and contrast of the image, Silver Efex Pro includes advanced imaging algorithms to protect against unwanted artifacts, a comprehensive collection of emulated black and white film types, a variable toning selector for adding traditional toning techniques, over 20 one-click preset styles, and a state-of-the-art grain reproduction engine that help produce the highest quality black and white images possible from your color images while providing more freedom to experiment.

Janice Wendt from Nik Software will demonstrate how to best work with your files, from RAW capture to output using the award winning Nik Software tools. You will learn how to easily work with your files to create stunning black and white images. Techniques that will be taught in this lecture will remove the need for tedious selections and endless numbers of steps. Janice will teach how to get the most out of your workflow, optimizing raw images, noise reduction techniques, global adjustments vs. targeted adjustments, selective enhancements, bringing out detail, applying traditional techniques, black and white images from color capture and creating a style with your retouching.

Eric Luden, Owner of Digital Silver Imaging, will discuss more about output and their unique black & white printing methods. DSI incorporates cutting edge laser printing technology from Durst with true gelatin silver papers from Ilford Photo to produce stunning black & white prints. DSI was an early adopter of Silver Efex Pro and has been recommending the software to their clients for the past 15 months. “Silver Efex Pro takes the mystery out of the black & white digital workflow and allows the photographer total control, without all the headaches.”

Nik Software July Newsletter feaures DSI promotion

Nik Software has included Digital Silver Imaging in their July newsletter under their promotions section. Nik Silver Efex Pro is our favorite Photoshop Plugin. It has dramatically improved our work flow at the lab and consistently produces the best files we have printed here on our true gelatin silver papers. Nik has recognized DSI as one of the premier B&W digital photo labs in the country.

Remember, you can order Nik Software and use the DSI code for a 15% discount plus get processing discounts only at DSI.

Order your copy of Nik Software today through DSI and save!

Photoshop World

We will be at Photoshop World! March 25 to 27. Visit our booth, where Ted Dillard will be signing his books, including "Raw Pipeline" & "Color Pipeline". You can preorder "Smart Object Pipeline", due in July and "Black & White Pipeline", due in October. His books will be available at special shop prices.

Kathy Skarvan from Ava Art will have some of her beautiful custom frames, around our beautiful prints, on display.

We be offering our Print-Sample-Promo (PSP) - one 8x10 RC & one 8x10 fiber print for $20.00, includes shipping in USA. The $20.00 can be applied as a credit to your next order. Basically it is a free sample of our gelatin silver prints. Go to www.digitalsilverimaging.com/promo to upload an image. Be sure to read the File Requirements before uploading.

I personally can't wait. I haven't been to Photoshop World before and really want to see what people are doing, take a few seminars and put faces to the names I've read or emailed or talked to. Can't wait!

- Jay

NIK Software seminar

Thanks to everyone who came to the NIK Software seminar at E. P. Levine last week. There was a great demo by Janice Wendt using NIK Silver Efex for B&W workflow. Kathy Skarvan showed beautiful frames from her company Ava Art.

NIK Software Silver Efex Pro reviewed

Check out this review of NIK Software's Silver Efex Pro plugin for Photoshop by Craig Wolf.

I use Silver Efex in the lab fairly often and find it a great addition to the toolbox.

"Can anyone tell me how they developed this plug-in? Did they hold a seance and contact Ansel Adams and Edward Weston? I don't know. I do know that Nik Silver Efex Pro is as good as gold. Even somebody like me can achieve fantastic results in just seconds. You may begin to smell the chemicals after looking at your own results." - Craig Wolf

http://www.craigwolf.com/news/2008/07/nik-silver-efex-pro-review.html