Digital Photographer's Software Guide - Bertemes - Net

B&W Pro 2
Vendor: Red Paw Media
Purpose: Black and white conversion with multiple controls and 16 bits per channel processing
Description
B&W Pro 2 is a color-to-black-and-white conversion plug-in that processes both
24-bit (8 bits per channel) and 48-bit (16 bits per channel) RGB files and produces
professional results without unwanted artifacts.
On a single panel interface, B&W Pro 2 offers many different controls, including six
sliders for sensor color response, plus gamma and contrast controls, per-channel contrast
adjustment, exposure compensation, and black/white points, and the ability to add
a color tint after processing. The top control lets you simulate a color filter placed over
the lens at the capture stage. Red is the favored color, used for darkening skies. Here,
the software simulation provides adjustment of the simulated filter from 0–100%.
Comments
There is no single “right way” to convert to black and white, although there is certainly
a one-click “wrong way” (the “convert to grayscale” button in image editors). B&W Pro 2
has the tools to do it properly, in many different ways according to taste.
It produces excellent results, but you need a good understanding of black and white
photography to get the best out of it.
Version: B&W Pro 2 (2008)
Plugs into: Photoshop and compatible editors
OS: Windows 2000, XP, and above
RAM: 128MB
Supported file formats: RGB formats
Price level: Approx. $30
Address: Alresford, Hampshire, United Kingdom
www.redpawmedia.com
B/W Styler
Chapter 12 ■ Black and White Conversion 155
Vendor: PhotoWiz
Purpose: A comprehensive black and white package for conversion, effects, and styling
Description
For black and white enthusiasts, B/W Styler is a real treat. It lets you recreate the look of
films, lens filters, lab effects, and photo papers popular in traditional B/W photography.