Best B&W conversion software???

[julianphotoart]

I have PS Elements 5. I do not want to pay for Photoshop itself. Is there either add-on or stand-alone software that won't cost an arm and a leg that will let me convert to good B&W, get real-looking grain, and allow me to pretend I was using B&W filters (i.e. yellow, green, red, etc.)? I know PS Elements 5 has its own little B&W conversion function but it's quite unsatisfactory.

[Zen-shooter]

Have you checked Michael Reichmann's website and seached "must have plug-ins"?

Here's the link to some interesting B&W softwares, though I'm not 100% sure if they're PS Eement 5 compatible...

Click Here (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/software/must-have.shtml)

[mfunnell]

I've used Richard Lynch's "Hidden Power" tools that come with his book "The Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements version x". The book is worthwhile all by itself, and the techniques and tools supplied allow you to do most of what full PS does with PSE (or, at least, it worked for me with PSE versions 2 and 3).

That having been said, Adobe keeps messing with Elements (probably to prevent guys like Mr Lynch doing what he does). So I went with full PS CS2 the moment I could find a good enough deal.

In general, I've found that using the Channel Mixer tool will do a decent job of BW conversion. Sometimes the additional control of separating out the colour channels and treating them with separate curves etc. adjustment before re-mixing them is needed.

On one of the pages linked off the URL above there's a free PSE 5 tools download that includes a channel mixer tool. That may (I emphasise "may") do some or all of what you want. There's also a US$15 tool download specifically designed for BW conversion. I've never used it, and so can't endorse it. However, I've enjoyed the books and tools in this series (and learned quite a lot) so I'd guess its probably at least OK and could well be better.

...Mike

[Hibbs]

I have tried many of them...and I always rely on The Image Factory's Convert to B&W Pro.

Also...Fred Miranda actions are quite good.

~hibbs

[wdenies]

Did some lightroom experiments, but went back to ConvertToBW pro.

Wim

[scorpius73]

a friend of mine told me about bibble (http://www.bibblelabs.com/products/bibble/plugins.html). it has a plug-in that mimics different film/developer/paper combinations. i would love to know if any m8 users have tried it.

[charjohncarter]

Here is a FREE Black & White Conversion software, I have found this helpful. And you will learn to change values to your satisfaction.

http://www.photo-plugins.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=68&Itemid=43

[wintoid]

I use Convert to BW Pro, but I have heard really good things about Alien Skin (no direct experience here)

[julianphotoart]

Thank you for responses. I think I'm interested in "Convert to B&W Pro". The web-site doesn't seem to say what the system requirements are. It also doesn't seem to say whether it is used as a stand-alone or needs Photoshop/Photoshop Elements. I've written them an e-mail but who knows if they'll respond. Does any user of this software know the answer?

[shadowfox]

Is there either add-on or stand-alone software that won't cost an arm and a leg that will let me convert to good B&W, get real-looking grain, and allow me to pretend I was using B&W filters (i.e. yellow, green, red, etc.)?

Eh... bro, this feature is in Picasa 2.x, can't get more free than that, unless you really have a beef with the big G!

The only thing missing for me in picasa is adjustable Unsharp Mask filter and the Curve (I know they have slider control for Tuning, but curve allows for more subtle results).

[iml]

Thank you for responses. I think I'm interested in "Convert to B&W Pro". The web-site doesn't seem to say what the system requirements are. It also doesn't seem to say whether it is used as a stand-alone or needs Photoshop/Photoshop Elements. I've written them an e-mail but who knows if they'll respond. Does any user of this software know the answer?
It's a Photoshop plugin. It works with Elements 4 on a Mac (just run the installer, and then manually copy the ConvertToBWPro3.8bf file to /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Plugins/CS2/Filters - if the Filters subfolder doesn't exist, create it. It will then appear under the Filters menu, under The Imaging Factory). It's a really good piece of software, much better than any "native" Elements way of convering to b&w. I think there's a demo available if you want to see if it works with Elements 5.

Ian

[Morca007]

The Alien Skin Exposure plug-ins do a pretty good job of simulating film.

Personally, I like to just go black and white in photoshop using Channel Mixer, gradiant map, or Lab color... But that's my control freak side.