To remove a point, double-click the point. To add a point, either click the graph, or using my preferred method, click the line and drag it up or down. The Levels and Curves feature ( Figure 4.34) controls the brightness and contrast of an image’s tones. Use the Color Sensitivity sliders to control individual colors within an image. That’s the beauty of using a digital filter.įigure 4.33. All these filters have sliders that control the overall strength of the effect ( Figure 4.30). Pay attention to the areas that the filter should affect as well as the overall brightness of the image. I like to start by studying the color image. The left side of the image shows what the unaltered grayscale image looks like the right side of the image shows what it looks like once the color filter is applied. In FIGURES 4.26 through 4.29 you can see how the color image is processed in SEP once the filter has been applied.
#SILVER EFEX PRO 2 EXAMPLES SKIN#
A red filter, for instance, lightens skin tone and darkens green foliage. It’s useful to understand how each filter works, whether you’re using them on-camera or applying the effects in postprocessing. Lighter color filters will have minor effects on an image darker colored filters will have more intense effects. These work by absorbing light and lightening colors similar to their own while darkening other colors. The traditional black-and-white filter kit consists of red, yellow, green, and orange filters. You can increase or decrease the effect of the filter with a simple slider.
#SILVER EFEX PRO 2 EXAMPLES PRO#
Silver Efex Pro 2 provides you with the best color filter control over your images. Remember that you can reset any adjustment you make by clicking the reset arrow on the right.įigure 4.25. SEP’s unique algorithm maps your image into zones, so when you make an adjustment, it changes the pixels based on their individual placement, brightness, and an array of other factors. This feature is unparalleled by any other black-and-white software. The Structure slider does a great job of adding texture to an image. You can adjust each slider independently, and for greater control within that slider, simply expand it by clicking the disclosure triangle ( Figure 4.20). The Global Adjustments tools-Brightness, Contrast, and Structure-make corrections to an entire image. Let’s review the tools in the Adjustments panel and then move to its practical use in processing an image. However, this shouldn’t stop you from jumping around the panel and making edits as your creative mind sees fit. The Adjustments panel has been laid out with a typical workflow in mind, meaning that you make adjustments starting at the top (Global Adjustments) and work your way down (Finishing Adjustments). In the Adjustments panel you can be creative and truly take control of your image. There is nothing wrong with clicking a preset and calling it good if you’re satisfied, but sometimes a preset just doesn’t get your image where you want it. You can think of the right panel as the darkroom’s digital toolset. Start by downloading over 40 of Nik’s additional presets at presets or at my blog at Adjustments Panel You can create your own and save them as custom presets or import new presets from a number of sources. This information will be very helpful when you decide to go it alone without presets but still want to create a certain effect. If you like the look of a given preset, you should note the changes that it makes to the Global Adjustments, Color Filters, Film Types, and so on. I’ll discuss the right panel controls in a bit, but it’s a good habit to select a preset and review its effects in the Adjustments panel. I use it on almost all of my images.Įach preset has a unique look and will affect the right panel differently. The Structure slider is one of my favorite sliders. Just click a previous point where you were happy with your changes and continue editing from that point.įigure 4.19. This is especially helpful if you get carried away and realize you don’t like the path you’re on. Clicking any adjustment will take you back to that state of your image. The History browser is a valuable tool to use to review all the changes you’ve made to an image in chronological order. Let’s review each of these features further. The Browser panel on the left is where you’ll find two very important tools: Presets and the History browser. Click the right arrow icon or press the Tab key again to return the panels to the original view. This is very helpful when analyzing your image and reviewing your final edits, or whenever you just want a less-cluttered view. You can choose to hide the right panel by clicking the right arrow icon ( Figure 4.15), or you can press the Tab key to close both the left and right panels at the same time. The last tool in the top menu is the Hide or View Adjustments panel. Click the right arrow (b) to close the Adjustments panel. Click the Lightbulb icon (a) to change the background color.