Long story and request…
I like warm prints; just a subtle hint, not a knock-over-the-head sepia, just a warmth to add depth. When printing, I accomplish this through the Epson AWB driver and I'm pretty happy with that. But when creating photos for screen usage (website, etc.), I need to make the tone in software.
I like the effect of tone 19 (the first 'sepia' chip) in Silver Efex Pro 2. (I also like 13 copper as well), but I would rather do the toning in Aperture after SEP (to remain flexible in output, further editing, etc. Same with vignetting…). And sometimes I don't go to SEP anyway but create a B&W in Aperture.
Here's the catch…I'm horribly colorblind and when I try any techniques in Aperture I'm told it's horribly red, or green, or garish in some way that's not as appealing to others as to me :-)
So first question on best practices: Assuming a B&W tiff returned from SEP2 (or other plugin), should I use the Sepia block at a low intensity (does that get me close to the elusive-to-me #19 in SEP?). Or do I use the Color Monochrome block? I've seen some tutorials on using curves, but I hopelessly munge it up using specific color channels in curves.
Second question: is there a kind soul who could provide me a by-the-numbers formula for any of those options, or create a preset that accomplishes a toning equivalent to the #19 tone in SEP (or any subtle, hint of warmth).
I'd be mightily appreciative!
Thanks,
Jeff
—
I don’t use SEP but once the images are back into AP3 you could read a Highlight, mid tone, and Shadow area with the RGB numbers under the histogram. Write down those values of RGB and make your own preset.
davidbmoore@mac.com
Twitter= @davidbmoore
Scottsdale AZ
Sorry I meant to say use the color monochrome block if you aren’t use to curves.
davidbmoore@mac.com
Twitter= @davidbmoore
Scottsdale AZ
Thanks for the suggestion, and pointing toward the Color Monochrome block. I don’t think this will work, though (or I don’t fully understand the process)…the rgb values of a spot highlight, mid, or shadow tone in the toned image doesn’t seem to yield a useful color for the adjustment block, it’s influenced by the level of gray underneath as well and doesn’t seem to produce the same effect when applied to the image.
I guess I’m hoping someone who can actually see what’s happening could point me to a color or curve settings. Perhaps I’ll post a couple images later today illustrating what I’m trying to accomplish…
Thanks again,
Jeff
Here are two images, the first is the B&W image in Aperture. The second is a B&W image toned in SEP. What do I need to do in Aperture to make the first image match the second?
Image 1: http://www.highway30.org/forums/tone/jh_wine_0001.jpg
Image 2: http://www.highway30.org/forums/tone/jh_wine_0002.jpg
Thanks again for the help,
Jeff
The fastest way I can think of is going into Color monochrome block and choosing the Brown color which is default on my machine. Click on the color itself if its a different color, set the intensity slider to .3. Your prefered image is more neutral in the highlights and shadows so you could brush it out of those areas. You are not as color blind as you say you are :)
davidbmoore@mac.com
Twitter= @davidbmoore
Scottsdale AZ