Mastering Monochrome: Turning Colour Photos into Fine Art with Nik Silver Efex and Lightroom Classic

I was inspired by a high-key photo I took to process the image in a fine art black and white style. In this video I share the simple process utilising Lightroom Classic and Silver Efex from the Nik Collection 7.

[@michaelives9164]

Many thanks for your great tutorial. What a superb picture/photograph. I haven't used any software packages before but I'm hoping to use Lightroom and Nik Silver Efex soon. Can't wait. Oh, and I'm now subscribed.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Very kind Michael - and welcome. :)

[@fbasilhoff]

Great tutorial. Your comment on fine art collections and art hanging in your mum’s back room made me laugh out loud. So true. Great tips I’ll be trying this evening.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Glad you found it useful!

[@lloydstuartm.d.5625]

Thanks for sharing your tips. I learned a lot. I haven't taken the plung on NIK yet but I think it's worth the money, especially for B&W conversions. Much appreciated!

[@Andyhutchinson]

No worries - glad it was helpful. :)

[@bala1000mina]

Thank you Andy for the helpful tutorial and tips! God bless, good lock and keep creating!

[@Andyhutchinson]

You're very welcome!

[@SR-fr7fw]

Increasing the saturation before switching to Silver Efex was new to me, I will give it a try with my own photos. Thanks a lot for that!

[@Andyhutchinson]

No worries - it make a big difference particularly on shots that have a relatively small dynamic range. :)

[@paulcooper9187]

Like the reflections on fine art 🤣You got the process over so well there. Well worth the watch

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thanks mate. :)

[@tbtrieste2]

Choice. Humour and insight. Please keep it up!

[@Andyhutchinson]

Cheers, I will :)

[@hanahoeo7073]

Ok never thought of increasing saturation before sending to Silver efx. Very cool, thanks. #2. Often use the Ilford film sims in my conversations

[@Andyhutchinson]

I used to print on Ilford paper back in the film days - love the way it looks.

[@SlowCheetahs-w3l]

Thanks mate, I'm interested in this, and a great video to show how 'easy' it can be (if you know what your doing like you!)

[@Andyhutchinson]

lol - thank-you - I'm going to do some more of this type of processing so watch this space.

[@BubblesPothowari]

Wonderful suggestion to increase the Saturation. Thank you !!!

[@Andyhutchinson]

You are most welcome!

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

Interesting, i applied this inside Photolab 8 with first adjustment of saturation and vibrance then a black & white preset, and it looks not too bad.

[@Andyhutchinson]

It definitely helps. :)

[@verdedoodleduck]

Brilliant photo - I draw a a fair number of birds when I can find a reference...I'm jealous. :) Thanks for the lesson - lot's of good tips.

[@Andyhutchinson]

No worries - and thanks. :)

[@beyourself9162]

this is interesting where do i get the film grain by film type settings….😮?

[@arthurised]

Hello Andy. Ive just come across your channel (and have subsequently subscribed), and in this video - which I love what you did with the bird - you mention landscape photography. I have a task from SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) to turn a colour landscape image (lake, land and sky) into a monochrome image, maybe fine art. Do you have any videos on this or considering undertaking one? Also, what is Nik Silver Efex, a stand alone App? Great work, thanks.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yea - a mono conversion is on the books. In the mean time I can recommend Christian's video which is a great entry-point to B&B conversion - kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3eVZ6aFobtja68si=dKqOrvqSE639eKeK

[@garys639]

Thanks for your usual great job. I agree that the Gen AI tool can do a great job, any insights into the 'monthly stroke allowance' that Adobe are going to introduce after it is out of early acess?

[@Andyhutchinson]

I plan to stroke myself.

[@MrJarendell]

😂

[@soheilsadri-sl2mv]

thanks

[@Andyhutchinson]

No problem

[@nutin321]

Nice that we can all get along now... it was getting rough there for a bit.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Peace, love and happiness. :)

[@simonleonard8154]

I enjoyed this - I don't currently use any of the Nik efex tools, but it looks effective... I would like to add to your comment about not having to use AI generative remove on LR all the time - it is probably worthwhile noting that the AI generations on all Adobe generative things is limited to 720 dpi so won't match the resolution of the original image... I still use it but only when it is necessary.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Yea, it's really obvious if you do much more than a dust spot. :)

[@Poraqui]

Funny stuff! Great video!

[@Andyhutchinson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@roamingyak]

Cool, thanks mate! Do you offer a service to edit other people's photos at all please?

[@Andyhutchinson]

Thank-you - no I don't offer an edit service.

[@roamingyak]

@@Andyhutchinson Please start 🙂 Your first customer is waiting....

[@MrJarendell]

All the bird needs is a bit more air above the wings, my humble opinion.

[@ubeauty100]

Your not that funnnny umm 😳

[@Andyhutchinson]

Not sure how I'm going to cope with such a cruel assessment.