Plug-ins for monochrome conversion
Photoshop is a powerful image editing software, every area of digital manipulation can be carried out within the software, its only drawback is the ability to do the same manipulation 20 different ways to achieve the same effect which can be confusing to all but the most experienced, this does not help in achieving a sound workflow, below are three Plug ins that I use that help simplify the main areas of conversion and give a sound workflow with consistent results.
As mentioned in previous articles on this site, the production of a master colour files is needed before conversion to monochrome, using the software below is assuming this has been done.
Theimagingfactory
Although the founder Oscar Rysdyk of the plug-in has ceased development of his product, downloads can still be bought at this link The Imaging Factory, if you’re serious about monochrome I would suggest downloading this ASAP while it is still available.
Good Monochrome images are dependent on contrast for them to look right, many times I have seen what could be great images but the lack of contrast (flat) spoils them. Although curves/levels and other ways can do this in PS, The Imaging Factory does it better and in a more controlled manner. The interface has presets to give simulation to film emulsions, they’re good but setting your own is better. The first tab on the interface is for setting filter effects.
Interface for controlling filtered effects
The good thing about The Imaging Factory is in its simplicity and logical way of working. If you’ve worked in a wet dark-room, within minutes you will feel at home with this plug-in. I always work in PS with copied layers so when applying changes in The Imaging Factory the changes can be painted back anywhere on your master file. The plug-in gives you the ability to control everything from filter effects right through the colour scale and also tonal ranges that match the paper grades in the “wet room days”, from grade –1 to +5. Also by using the paper exposure slider, working in conjunction with the paper grade slider, contrast levels can be increased or decreased where appropriate. Very helpful.
Interface for controlling contrast
Another way of increasing contrast with it is to use the same setting two or three times, depending on what look you are after.
If we increased the contrast like below by lowering the paper exposure (this helps to retain shadow detail) and increase the paper grade, a dramatic increase in contrast is made.
The paper exposure has been lowered to –3 and the paper grade increased to 2.9, levels can be checked at all times in the information box to the top right.
Now if you were to load the above image/setting twice into PS, contrast is increased each time but importantly at the same paper grade and paper exposure settings previously made.
If at any time within your editing process you find the shadows are going to clack and detail is disappearing, all you have to do is lower the paper grade as below and paint the lower contrast areas back as needed in PS.
The paper exposure is set to 0 and the multi grade setting is set to 0.0 to get the shadow areas opened more.
So from the above examples you can see how contrast is easily controlled using The Imaging Factory plug-in.
The last interface is for toning. Self explanatory.
PixelGenius PhotoKit Sharpener
This Automated plug-in gives the photographer the ability to manipulate contrast in mono images. Certain effects are ideal for monochrome, "haze cutter" for example works like USM contrast increasing, it will boost contrast and give texture anywhere required within a photograph, all the plug-ins work automatically and in layers, so great control is given. Another effect that works well is "smoothing brushes", they give soft smooth tones and also help clean up files. There are numerous effects within the programs drop downs, you have to experiment with different effects in the menus to find which effects suit the feel of a photograph.
PixelGenius Photokit
Another great product, lots of ways to convert images to mono with total control, this program can be used on its own if needed to produce stunning photographs, you can control every aspect of editing from filters, contrast control, sharpening and toning. Again there are many effects in the drop down menus, too many to talk about separately here, so experiment with them to get a good work flow.
This is what PixelGenious says about the plug-in
"PhotoKit is a photographer's plug-in toolkit that offer accurate digital replications of analog photographic effects. PhotoKit's image enhancements and adjustments are designed to work in a way familiar to photographers".
I can endorse their claim, you can with care produce pictures that are very close in look to analog images, especially in the printed format, the grain effects are some of the best I have tried.
Pixel Genious homepage
Using all three plug-ins in conjunction with one another, gives great control over the editing process, simplifies and speeds up workflow. I can from experience highly recommend all
Please note
I do not have a connection with the companies mentioned, my recommendations are based solely on using the Plug-ins.
As mentioned in previous articles on this site, the production of a master colour files is needed before conversion to monochrome, using the software below is assuming this has been done.
Theimagingfactory
Although the founder Oscar Rysdyk of the plug-in has ceased development of his product, downloads can still be bought at this link The Imaging Factory, if you’re serious about monochrome I would suggest downloading this ASAP while it is still available.
Good Monochrome images are dependent on contrast for them to look right, many times I have seen what could be great images but the lack of contrast (flat) spoils them. Although curves/levels and other ways can do this in PS, The Imaging Factory does it better and in a more controlled manner. The interface has presets to give simulation to film emulsions, they’re good but setting your own is better. The first tab on the interface is for setting filter effects.
Interface for controlling filtered effects
The good thing about The Imaging Factory is in its simplicity and logical way of working. If you’ve worked in a wet dark-room, within minutes you will feel at home with this plug-in. I always work in PS with copied layers so when applying changes in The Imaging Factory the changes can be painted back anywhere on your master file. The plug-in gives you the ability to control everything from filter effects right through the colour scale and also tonal ranges that match the paper grades in the “wet room days”, from grade –1 to +5. Also by using the paper exposure slider, working in conjunction with the paper grade slider, contrast levels can be increased or decreased where appropriate. Very helpful.
Interface for controlling contrast
Another way of increasing contrast with it is to use the same setting two or three times, depending on what look you are after.
If we increased the contrast like below by lowering the paper exposure (this helps to retain shadow detail) and increase the paper grade, a dramatic increase in contrast is made.
The paper exposure has been lowered to –3 and the paper grade increased to 2.9, levels can be checked at all times in the information box to the top right.
Now if you were to load the above image/setting twice into PS, contrast is increased each time but importantly at the same paper grade and paper exposure settings previously made.
If at any time within your editing process you find the shadows are going to clack and detail is disappearing, all you have to do is lower the paper grade as below and paint the lower contrast areas back as needed in PS.
The paper exposure is set to 0 and the multi grade setting is set to 0.0 to get the shadow areas opened more.
So from the above examples you can see how contrast is easily controlled using The Imaging Factory plug-in.
The last interface is for toning. Self explanatory.
PixelGenius PhotoKit Sharpener
This Automated plug-in gives the photographer the ability to manipulate contrast in mono images. Certain effects are ideal for monochrome, "haze cutter" for example works like USM contrast increasing, it will boost contrast and give texture anywhere required within a photograph, all the plug-ins work automatically and in layers, so great control is given. Another effect that works well is "smoothing brushes", they give soft smooth tones and also help clean up files. There are numerous effects within the programs drop downs, you have to experiment with different effects in the menus to find which effects suit the feel of a photograph.
PixelGenius Photokit
Another great product, lots of ways to convert images to mono with total control, this program can be used on its own if needed to produce stunning photographs, you can control every aspect of editing from filters, contrast control, sharpening and toning. Again there are many effects in the drop down menus, too many to talk about separately here, so experiment with them to get a good work flow.
This is what PixelGenious says about the plug-in
"PhotoKit is a photographer's plug-in toolkit that offer accurate digital replications of analog photographic effects. PhotoKit's image enhancements and adjustments are designed to work in a way familiar to photographers".
I can endorse their claim, you can with care produce pictures that are very close in look to analog images, especially in the printed format, the grain effects are some of the best I have tried.
Pixel Genious homepage
Using all three plug-ins in conjunction with one another, gives great control over the editing process, simplifies and speeds up workflow. I can from experience highly recommend all
Please note
I do not have a connection with the companies mentioned, my recommendations are based solely on using the Plug-ins.
