humblestum
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CTBW Pro V3.0 etc
Today I set-to and worked my way through Martin's DVD a couple of times, with (to me) reasonable results - see my 'Brighton Pier' and 'Brighton Pier on another day' offerings.
As has been previously noted, Convert to Black & White (ImageFactory) is no longer available. Also, there is the cost of PhotoKit (£39) and CrispImage Pro ($59). I acknowledge that Martin has written that it is the methodology rather than specific software packages that is crucial but I do struggle with trying to emulate Martin's methodology with what I have available (PS CS4 and a few freebie plug-ins).
I could spend £150 on Alien Skin Exposure 2 and the £39 for PhotoKit but wonder if, to achieve files suitable for printing/mounting/exhibiting such extra expenditure is necessary?
I suppose that (to use a euphemism) at the end of the day I would like to think I could use my B&W work to achieve (eg) LRPS or similar. What do other forum members think? Is PS CS4 and Martin's underlying philosophy sufficient or do simpletons like me really need the additional packages such as CTBW in order to even begin to emulate the Master?
--- Keith
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13/Mar/09, 9:00 pm
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martinimages
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Re: CTBW Pro V3.0 etc
Keith you are quite correct in stating that my CD is not software but methodology, its a way of showing that contrast and grading is the best way of achieving superior BW images and prints.
You do not have to follow the tutorial on a word for word basis regarding plugins, the following points below can substitute throughout the video
Filtration
Adding RGB filtration to an images alters the tonal characteristics within a master
colour file, channel mixer is ideal for this, you could use as an example Red filtration for the sky and Green filtration for the land, always keep RGB the values to around 100%, I.E., Red 100%, Green zero, blue zero, or Red 50%, green 50% and Blue zero.
Contrast Control
The plugins used for the tutorial are ones I use for my own work, if you do not have
them, there are other ways to achieve the same effects on contrast. A simple but
effective one in Photoshop is the Brightness/Contrast dialogue box, by adjusting both sliders in the opposite directions [experiment] you can increase and decrease contrast and place settings in the desired areas within your edit. Another but more advanced way is to use Curves, this is one of the most powerful tools in PS, with care and a little practice great results on contrast can be made by altering the curve line, an added advantage of using curves for contrast control is the ability to save presets for different contrast grades you have made which can be loaded for other image edits.
Sharpening
Lots of ways to do this, Smartsharpen USM sharpening, High pass sharpening.
The above methods are available in most image editing software programs. The key is
in learning the method and how to apply Contrast Grading.
I have Alien exposure 2, and as you know PhotKit, it is not necessary to have them, all work for CG can be carried out within the bounds of PS only, the tutorial shows how I edit, but its not the only permutation to achieve the desired result, once you grasp the theory you can use any tool at your disposal as long as the basic rules of CG are followed in the tutorial.
So my answer to your question is yes, using PS2~3~4 or any other software that allows contrast control will give you results that will help you achieve LRPS.
What cant be teached in any tutorial is vision, the only way to learn that is to study images from master mono workers, there vision is unlocked and there to see for all to learn.
When I was at Whitby all I thought about was the images produced by Frank Meadow Sutcliffe around that area, it gave me ideas and inspiration, he unlocked his vision and passed to down to us, and that is priceless.
Martin
Last edited by martinimages, 13/Mar/09, 10:24 pm
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13/Mar/09, 10:23 pm
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humblestum
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Re: CTBW Pro V3.0 etc
quote:
martinimages wrote:
...When I was at Whitby all I thought about was the images produced by Frank Meadow Sutcliffe around that area, it gave me ideas and inspiration, he unlocked his vision and passed to down to us, and that is priceless.
Martin
Martin - thanks for the quick and comprehensive reply.
Frank Meadow Sutcliffe is new to me - very sepia! When I think B&W, my thought process tends to be fixated on Ansel Adams and his Zone System. I actually went to a local Camera Club meeting this week (for the first time, ever), just to see how my work compared with others. Interesting.
I suppose that we all occasionally need to see how we measure up and that is why I'm thinking in terms of LRPS (or similar).
--- Keith
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13/Mar/09, 10:59 pm
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crimbo
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Re: CTBW Pro V3.0 etc
Keith, to get you started here are step wedges converted wit CTBW in 6 grades 0-5
All you have to do is copy them to curves and save them as pre-sets. The unchanged file is 2
To copy the tonal change co to
epaperpress , Black and White , Copying a Tone
This will give you curves pre-sets to alter your image with
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14/Mar/09, 7:29 am
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I Simonius
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Re: CTBW Pro V3.0 etc
quote:
humblestum wrote:
What do other forum members think? Is PS CS4 and Martin's underlying philosophy sufficient or do simpletons like me really need the additional packages such as CTBW in order to even begin to emulate the Master?
I know its all possible in CS4 but havent got there eyt
I have a sticky on my desktop where I have started making notes on the the CG sequence using CS4, so I can post it here when I have finished... but I am no expert and it is taking time ( also because I have to work! grrr lol)
So yes CS4 is enough, (basically because you can do ANYTHING in CS4 once you know how) it just needs some working out 
Now I go read other's replies  
Last edited by I Simonius, 14/Mar/09, 8:36 am
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14/Mar/09, 8:36 am
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I Simonius
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Re: CTBW Pro V3.0 etc
quote:
martinimages wrote:
Filtration
Adding RGB filtration to an images alters the tonal characteristics within a master
colour file, channel mixer is ideal for this, you could use as an example Red filtration for the sky and Green filtration for the land, always keep RGB the values to around 100%, I.E., Red 100%, Green zero, blue zero, or Red 50%, green 50% and Blue zero.
Martin
CS4 has something that CS3 didnt and which I find often preferable as it gives a wider range of control for BW conversion than the channel mixer, and that is the black and white adjustment panel, it is better in CS4 than CS3
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14/Mar/09, 10:13 am
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humblestum
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Re: CTBW Pro V3.0 etc
quote:
crimbo wrote:
Keith, to get you started here are step wedges converted wit CTBW in 6 grades 0-5
All you have to do is copy them to curves and save them as pre-sets. The unchanged file is 2.
Chris, thanks for the file and the epaperpress link - more things for me to get to grips with!
quote:
Simonwrote:
I know its all possible in CS4 but havent got there eyt
I have a sticky on my desktop where I have started making notes on the the CG sequence using CS4, so I can post it here when I have finished... but I am no expert and it is taking time ( also because I have to work! grrr lol)
So yes CS4 is enough, (basically because you can do ANYTHING in CS4 once you know how) it just needs some working out
Looking forward to reading your finished CS4 CG sequence, Simon!
I really must knuckle-down and get a full understanding of Martin's methodology and also learn not only how best to apply it in CS4 but also to try and achieve some kind of level of competence in the use of CS4 generally - something I'm sadly lacking at the moment 
Martin - my thanks again for your tips/info on filtration, contrast control etc.
--- Keith
My Monochrome Site
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14/Mar/09, 12:12 pm
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martinimages
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Re: CTBW Pro V3.0 etc
No Probe Keith, I think those that have wet darkroom experience find CG easier to manipulate, multi grade papers give a wider tonal scale than fixed grade papers, so the CG method does the same but a lot easier to do and repeat. Use any tool on your comp to adjust contrast, don't matter what it is as long as you are using masks and painting back where required you really don't need all the expense of plugins, if it can be done in a wet darkroom working on an negative image,in dim light using your hands and bits of blue tack on wires to D&B then digital is a breeze
Martin
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14/Mar/09, 12:50 pm
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I Simonius
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Re: CTBW Pro V3.0 etc
quote:
martinimages if it can be done in a wet darkroom working on an negative image,in dim light using your hands and bits of blue tack on wires to D&B then digital is a breeze
Martin
aint that the truth - I hated the darkroom!
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14/Mar/09, 2:27 pm
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Bill Allsopp
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Re: CTBW Pro V3.0 etc
quote:
I Simonius wrote:
quote:
martinimages if it can be done in a wet darkroom working on an negative image,in dim light using your hands and bits of blue tack on wires to D&B then digital is a breeze
Martin
aint that the truth - I hated the darkroom!
I second that brother.
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14/Mar/09, 2:30 pm
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