DSLRUsers.com

For the curious and the bored - here's a blow by blow description of how I got the effect used in the first three images in my 10.5 DX fisheye pics. To see the large versions visit my SmugMug Techniques gallery here

Steps 1 & 2 - convert the starting image using DxO Optics Pro to partially remove the fisheye effect (I did a 62% correction). Saved as DNG file for Photoshop



Step 3 - In photoshop, opened the corrected DNG keeping all settings unchanged in ACR (ie unticked ALL checkboxes). Used Image/Shadow Highlight with values of 100% and 0% respectively to severely lighten the shadows.

Step 4 - corrected image slightly by applying a Graduated Neutral Density effect using Nik Color Efex to further lighten the top and darken the bottom of the image.



Step 5 - convert to Infra Red Black and White using Nik Color Efex.

Step 6 - Fade previous effect to 62% to bring back some of the colour (this was a dilemma since I think the plain B & W was pretty interesting too)



Edit: Changed the title to more accurately describe the result

Way out of my league Stubbsy but thanks for sharing ,,,Very interesting.BTW i too enjoy the B W version

Way cool Peter, thanks for shariing!

Stephen

While this may seem intimidating it's easy to do and certainly not way out of your league, just unfamiliar . It's amazing what you can do if you're prepared to experiment.

Ooh, they look cool!

Interesting effect Peter. Thanks for sharing. I see you share my enthusiasm for Niks Color effects. It's a bottler package
cheers
marco

The plain BW image looks great, almost like an artists sketch. A great improvement to the original.

Thanks guys

This is an interesting example of just what can be done in PP.

Marco - I use the Nik Color Efex filters at some stage in about 99.999999% of my PP (I have both the PS CS and the NC versions).

Love it Peter! That final shot looks like something out of a Tim Burton movie!

Nice one Peter. I also have the Nik filters and they are truly amazing for playing around with

Peter said:

Marco - I use the Nik Color Efex filters at some stage in about 99.999999% of my PP (I have both the PS CS and the NC versions).

Wasn't aware that there was a NC (I assume you mean Nikon Capture) version of Nik Color Efex? Is it worth getting? Is it on there site or where from?
cheers
marco

marcotrov wrote:Peter said:

Marco - I use the Nik Color Efex filters at some stage in about 99.999999% of my PP (I have both the PS CS and the NC versions).

Wasn't aware that there was a NC (I assume you mean Nikon Capture) version of Nik Color Efex? Is it worth getting? Is it on there site or where from?
cheers
marco

They make it hard to find, but here it is on the Nik Multimedia site. I bought the Select edition from Adorama here, but B & H also have it (US$89.95 at both)

So why use it? Unlike the PS CS version, the Nikon Capture version works like NC does in that each change is recorded as it's applied to the image so you can go back at any time and edit or turn off an applied filter. When you save the NEF again from NC the Nik changes are saved with it so you can later reopen the image and again edit or disable the applied Nik filters. In all other respects the NC version is the same as the PSCS version EXCEPT the NC version, because it only has global editing, doesn't have the Selective Tool that lets you paint the effect on with a brush.

Since I started using the NC version of Nik I find I can do about 60% of my PP in NC and it's faster than doing it in PS CS.

Thanks Peter sounds great. I'll have to go and have a look
cheers
marco

Love the final effect, Peter. Url noted and will give it a go sometime