Playing with Monochrome Conversion - Silver Efex Pro and Infrared

I have been experimenting to see which is the best way to get a monochrome from my infrared images. Image 1 is my choice for this scene. This is a Silver Efex conversion done on the original raw file (Image 2)before applying my custom profile (image 3). If I use the monochrome conversion in Lightroom and adjust the colour sliders, then the conversion from the image with profile applied (Image 4) is the more satisfactory but it isn't possible to get the separation of subjects and background that you can achieve with SEP control points (Taken in Clare Gardens Cambridge)

Kew Gardens 3. Infrared Buildings

The buildings at Kew are great for infrared photography. I am never sure whether I prefer the 'colour' image - i.e. using a custom made profile to bring the grey to neutral tone or using Silver Efex to do the conversion and tonal adjustments.. So here some pairs of images and some with just the profile where the subtle tones I feel help the image..

Cumulus Clouds at Strethall

There have been some fabulous cloud formations in the last three days so I thought it time to give the infrared camera an outing. The last image is processed in Silver Efex to show the detail that it brings out of cloud structures.

Silver Efex Comparisons

Some examples of processing with Silver Efex Pro (on left) and the equivalent file adjusted in Lightroom to be as close as possible to that achieved with SE. The differences show the reasons for choosing Silver Efex as my main monochrome tool. The last two have the same amount of highlight priority vignette applied after other adjustments in Lightroom showing the more natural effect with the SEP file.

Getting the Best from Liverpool Monochromes

I am continuing to process images for new monochrome presentations this year. Below comparisons between straight Raw conversion and Silver Efex Pro processing. the images were taken on infrared-converted camera.

 

Monochrome conversion

 I have a couple of whole day/weekend lecturing commitments in March next year concentrating on monochrome so I thought I better start in good time to prepare some example files/prints showing the 'magic' of using Nik Silver Efex Pro to bring out the best in architectural studies. For the piano, I have provided the original raw conversion, a monochrome conversion using just the raw converter and a final image where SEP has been used. Other examples have the Raw conversion in colour or monochrome followed by the SEP image. The amount of detail that can be extracted is remarkable.