Alien skin / alternatives

[Benguiver]

hi MAcrumours DIgital photography people,

I have cs2 with an old version of alien skin, but have been challenged using this hard drive in my new G5 platform. I really like alien skin, but cannot buy the current software since i am using a PPC system. I might try cloning the HD, etc etc, but it's a real pain in the arse

Has anyone got any good ideas about using curves etc in photoshop to emulate B+W film please? Although i love the ease of use of the alien skin plugin, i was thinking to try some alternative ways to get similar effects.

Any advicew gratefully received.

All best

Ben / london UK / flickr.com/photos/benreviug

 

[MCAsan]

I think it is past time for a plan to move you to a modern Mac that can run High Sierra and reasonably current photo process apps.

In Ps, drop the saturation to zero as a starting point. The look at changing channel levels, contrast...etc.

 

[chrono1081]

I agree with the above poster. Get a modern system if possible. Alienskin plugins were useful back in the day but not so much anymore.

You'll get far more out of processing in Lightroom and finishing in Photoshop.

 

[dwig]

I think it is past time for a plan to move you to a modern Mac that can run High Sierra and reasonably current photo process apps.

I totally agree.

In Ps, drop the saturation to zero as a starting point. The look at changing channel levels, contrast...etc.

I totally disagree. I've found Channel Mixer superior to a merely zeroing out staturation. Ps/CS2's Channel Mixer, which can be used as a non-distructive Adjustment Layer, has only 3 channels and isn't as good as it is in later releases of Ps, but it is still superior to a saturation change.

 

[Benguiver]

Thanks Mcasan, Chrono, Dwig,

Yep i checked out the curves after using channel mixer to take an image to B+W. Nice. Will have to do more of this [it's been a while since i've done much photography, too much studying...]. But i do like the presets. Maybe this is lazy, but anyway. Will have to check out your suggestions. Thanks again.

All best, ben : flickr.com/photos/benreviug