This video is NOT, by any means, a how-to. Simply put, the suite of apps is quite intensive with the sheer amount of abilities it adds. My main goal was to focus on using it from within Aperture 3, the perspective of an aperture user and how it fits within workflows between Aperture 3 and Photoshop. There is still a need for photoshop in many people's workflows, but OnOne offers a fantastic answer for those who may not want to use or can not afford Photoshop. And don't think that Perfect photo suite 6 is application specific, on the contrary. The suite is designed to be self standing and can be launched from Aperture, Photoshop, Photoshop Elements or Lightroom (or by itself). So, if you were to move from one application to another you will still be able to use the suite without fear of being forced to purchase a different version.

All in all it a big step up for the software and the fact that you can launch any of the OnOne products from within the main user window (Perfect Layers 2) means that it makes things even more simplified for the end user. There are still a few of the plugins that open in a new window such as Focal Point 2 (one of my FAVS to use), but regardless, all the software works together very nicely.

So, if you have been on the fence about trying out version 6 or upgrading from version 5 then maybe the mini demo video will help you to decide. As for me, the fact that it simplifies my workflow without taking anything away makes it a winner in my book!

OnOne Software | Trial software Version | OnOne's University (more education for their products)

The problem is that I have secretly harbored a love for photos that broke this "rule" that I arbitrarily created. So, rather then be pig headed about the whole thing I decided to just break my rule ( that is what they are for right?) and process some images in this style. So what style am I talking about? For the record.. simply desaturating and image is still a big NO-NO in my book. Creating a B&W image, I feel, takes more then the swish of a slider from left to right. Rather, I have crafted a preset that mimics some different styles that I have observed from around the internets. It involves clipping the whites out of the image to give an over all silver-ish look. I have also raised the grain up to be noticeable since a B&W image without grain feels blasphemous! There are a few bits and pieces of fairy dust in there to tweak the image, but over all that is it.

To showcase this preset and style of conversion I offer up two different sets of photos. The first set was from a trip that my family and I made to Seattle. I LOVE the photos of these gorillas at the zoo and felt I never get the look I wanted for their photos. This preset seemed to add a little something to them and I really like the look. The second set of photos is from a recent shoot here in Salem. The last photo is in color of coarse, but it is of a new found friend ( and hopefully future contact/subject) from the location that we were shooting on and I simply liked it in color rather then B&W. The photos are from around a foundry. As in… melt metals and create cool things from there type foundry. Still not sure what I am talking about.. look it up! In any case, this foundry may the be the site of many more photos to come (I hope!). Enjoy the photos!

OH.. I guess all that talk about the preset might have you wondering where you can get it. Well Look no further then just below this sentence! I am offering it free to who ever wants it. You too need Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro 2 to use it, but trust me, IT IS WORTH EVERY CENT! 

Grab the preset here --> SFA White Clip Preset

Quick video showing how to install the preset into Nik Silver Efex Pro 2

And now... the photo! :D