I find myself being fickle about which black & white actions I like...for the longest time I LOVED (and still do) Kubota's shadow select-a-toner b/c it was great for deep blacks and crisp whites...then I seemed to like Nicole Van's but I found on many images it just made it too contrasty..but it is still a good one....I do like bronzed god but I think I need to be careful and not use it too much..

So, for a basic but great b&w action, what is your fav?

jeff ascough has wonderful BW images and he sells an action set www.ascoughactions.com

off to check those out Phil...thanks:)

Totally Rad's Bitchin' Black and White

Is that one in their b&w set? I don't think I have tried that.

+1 I use it 99% of the time!

I must give that one a go...thanks

I use LR, and have about a dozen presets. It depends on the image. I have some actions I like from Kubota, Justin Jagare, and Lisa Houghton. I also have some I've made over the years. I bet, if I counted, I have 30 or so bw actions/presets. Now I'll have to go compare them all.

Mark, I must admit that I am STILL stuck in Bridge. I need to use my LR...well, learn to use my LR. I just know it will save me time and get me more sleep;)

How I missed using this one I don't know, but THANKS for the tip...I LOVE this one!!!! I have been using Awesome b&w but found it to be too much at times

I use Jeff Ascough's for BW and I am currently working Mark P's UIP Actions into my mix.

i use ascough's from time to time he has a few that i absolutely adore - but there are so many now...

i have just started using design aglow's stuff and its unbelievable, talk about dramatic! they definitely arent for everyone!

i also use ittybitty, and i love love love nichole v's retro stuff - i send her love letters all the time because she rocks my world (constantly)!!!!!

i have actually stopped using totally rad, for some reason, they just dont really appeal to me much anymore.

I am not familiar with Jeff's but the samples look good

Lisa, I love the one that I created for LR. I actually use 2. I use a normal bw, and a warmer one.

I tell ya...I have GOT to start using my LR! How's the studio going?

BW preset

Click there to download my bw preset that I use all the time. I like it better than Kubotas. I may make the warmer one available later if people are interested.

The studio is coming along. We just need to finish some of the trim painting, and clean the carpet. Then I'm ready to move in!

If you end up getting lightroom. Check out this thred http://www.opensourcephoto.net/forum/index...c=30391&hl=

I'm interested in that warmer one Jason!!
Candy

Lisa, You gotta get in lightromm! You'll love it!

THANKS Jason! Ok....will you guys promise not to laugh? well, out loud at least. But I really don't understand LR and presets. Hmm, I guess I better pull out my LR book and start learning!!!

My favorite Black and white is Kevin Kobota's Hot Fudge 1. I like the touch of Brown to it.

Thanks for the link

I just downloaded Nicole V's Retro set!! OMG!!!!! Loving it so thank you very much for the info Tami!!

my favorite action used to be kubota's warm & snappy, but now that I use lightroom, I hardly touch PS, or my PS actions. I tried several presets in LR, and after not liking several, created my own BW. Now I'm addicted to it! I LOVE IT!!!! it works on all photos, and it's slightly warm (which I love).

Jen, I'm digging your BW Lightroom preset! It's gorgeous! Care to share?

Try Lightroom! It's soooo fast. Since moving to LR I just use my own preset. Like Jen said, they're easy to create. I used to use Kubota's Warm + Snappy too. But now I only open PS for serious touch ups. My b&w preset is in the thread Bryce posted... (http://www.opensourcephoto.net/forum/index...c=30391&hl=)

oooh, nice! I can see why you really like this one:)OK...I must know. Is LR hard to learn? I have been sitting here staring at my computer for HOURS it seems editing and more editing. I have been thinking there must be a better way to do this. SO, I guess I need to just start playing with it. But when I want to use presets, is that loaded like an action?

your welcome,,, just spreading the lurrrrvvvvve. nichole's stuff is always worth the cost. i got the grunge brush set as well and some textures.