Important First Steps When Using Silver Efex Pro

Did you know that there are some important first steps to take when processing images with Nik Silver Efex Pro 3?
When using Nik Silver Efex Pro, many users start with the Presets, whilst others dive into using the Global Adjustments. If this is you, then you are missing an important and powerful first step. In fact, you may have missed two important first steps. They are using the Colour Filters in Silver Efex Pro and the colour Sensitivity controls. Together these can transform your results and should be used first.
Then there is a second step which takes place before you even begin using Silver Efex Pro. This is the pre-processing of images using other Nik Collection tools. If you want to know more, watch this video.
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[@Needacreate]

Shocking how much I still have to learn about Silver Efex Pro. But then again, exciting to see how much there is still to explore. Very useful content, as ever, Robin.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[@petermaddern6653]

Been working through the book and finding it very useful. Funnily enough I've been using Colour Efex after Silver Efex. The video alongside the book is great to re-enforce the message. Thank you Robin.

[@RobinWhalley]

Great to hear. Thank you. There's nothing to say don't use Color Efex Pro after Silver Efex. You just won't have as much latitude to affect the image..

[@brentmiller3250]

Really Great Tips!!! I never knew about the sensitivity sliders in "Film Types" -- it just took the image I'm working on now to the NEXT LEVEL! Thanks. 🙂

[@RobinWhalley]

That's great to hear. Thank you.

[@ericerickson6537]

Just bought your Nik software book and started to read it.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. I hope you find it helpful.

[@jorge-3768]

Thnx for the advice. Really helpfull!

[@RobinWhalley]

Glad it was helpful. Thank you

[@markielinhart]

Interesting video, thanks. I’m a Silver Efex7 user and my images are in-camera monochrome, so how does this apply in my workflow Robin?✌️🇦🇺

[@RobinWhalley]

It really depends what you mean by in-camera monochrome. If your camera is a black and white Leica or has been converted to only shoot mono, then you can't use the colour filter method. But if you are shooting with a regular camera set to mono, it's kind of doing what I recomend in the video. You will also be able to adjust the effect by applying different digital filters. Additionally, it only affects the JPEG image and the RAW file can still be edited as a colour image.

[@kemerthomson]

There are so many possibilities, especially “preprocessing” the color image first with Color Efex Pro or even the latest release of Lightroom, that I’m finding it better to bypass the Silver Efex presets in favor of your recommended workflow. I guess I never shot with the various b&w films to really appreciate their unique characteristics across the entire image.

[@RobinWhalley]

Yes, there are so many options with Silver Efex Pro. I'm a particular fan of preprocessing the colour image. Tone Mapped images tend to convert very well to black and white.

[@mikeames8339]

Brilliant!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks

[@alangauld6079]

Doesn't selecting a preset undo all those changes(not the ColorEfex ones)? The presets are just that - preset values for the right-hand controls. If you are not using a preset then what you say makes sense, but I'm not convinced its valid if a preset is used.

[@RobinWhalley]

Yes, selecting a Preset will undo any changes you have already made to the colour sliders. If you want to use a Preset then use it first BUT it's still work checking the colour sliders to see if you can improve them. If you create something you like, save it as a custom preset which you can start your editing with.

[@fotografooriginal1778]

Sensacional !!!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you

[@danbuchman7497]

Hi Robin, is there a difference between a raw image and a scanned color slide/negative processed with SEP? I’m mostly scanning old family photos with a Epson V-850 scanner which renders a TIFF. I don’t think the color sliders work at all on a B&W negative since there isn’t any color, but how a scanned color image would seem to have color data. What I don’t know is if the negative data is different from the DSLR data. Off to get your book now, thanks.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. You're right. The Colour sliders won't work if you take a Black and White image into SEP. Working with a colour scan from a neg or slide film should be fine. I can't think of anything special I have done when working with scan.

[@garymccaffery928]

I’m guessing (as I haven’t got the package yet) but if you import a monochrom image into the software the colour filters and colour channels won’t be avail. Is that correct

[@RobinWhalley]

It's a good question. No, the colour filters are still available and you can still apply them. They just don't have any effect on the image as there's no colour.

[@garymccaffery928]

@@RobinWhalley thanks for that Robin. I’m deliberating. I use LR and have new Leica Q3 that I’m thinking of using Nik software as a plug in but I also have two monochrom cameras and thinking if there is any value for these files

[@KingsleyGeorgePouponeau]

I use Nik as a plugin for Affinity Photo...

[@RobinWhalley]

Yes, it's a very effective tool. I know I was using Photoshop in the video but I also use it in Affinity Photo.

[@KingsleyGeorgePouponeau]

@@RobinWhalley I just bought the book on Amazon Kindle. You reminded me of my darkroom days😥

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you very much. I hope that you find it helpful.