If it helps at all...

The idea behind HDR images is more data -- you take 2 or more photos, each with the full data your camera's sensor can provide, and since you take them at different exposure settings, not all of that data is the same when you combine them -- the result is more data in a single image than your camera is capable of.

Making B & W images out of color photos can follow the same logic... A color image has more data than a picture taken originally as B & W. A color image also has more data than a B & W or gray scale image when you simply convert its format in an image editor. So you keep all or most of your color data, but transform those colors into shades of B & W. If you check the info for one of the sample images on the page for today's GOTD, you'll see it's the same as a color photo.

Dramatic Black & White is on the easy to use, pretty simple end of the spectrum. You can do the same conversion in Lightroom, but there's a lot more to do, so it's not so easy & not so simple. Franzis has a Projects app that fits somewhere in between, with presets you can use.

That said, there are downsides... One is that it takes a special setup to print one of these B & W photos in all its glory -- instead of using 3 or more colors + black for a color print, a color printer only uses black, and that's just not as capable for the full tonal range. Instead think something like a ink jet loaded with 5 cartridges ranging from pure black to light gray.

The other downside is that if/when there is a preference for B & W, it's artistic -- there is no technical reason color isn't better. And artistic means polarizing, as in some people will love it, & others not at all.

mike  –  8 years ago  –  A fost util acest comentariu? da | nu (+17)

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"FastStone Image Viewer" can do pretty much the same - and is freeware:
http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm

Your Teacher  –  8 years ago  –  A fost util acest comentariu? da | nu (+15)

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While I can appreciate software like this, sometimes having a one-trick wonder is like cluttering up the kitchen counters with lots of one-trick gadgets. You learn to use that one special knife for everything and get your counter space back.

I tried DB&W on my pictures with faces, landscapes and beach sunrises. I was only impressed with one of the face pic results using the randomizer and a few tweaks. There's lots of options available, but the amount of tweaking for the best result vs the vast array of thumbnail effects to choose from still left me wanting more variety for the amount of work needed.

Honestly, click "bandicoot" then "bloom" in (the free) Photoscape and you've instantly produced a beautiful B&W version of your image. Or use any of the very nice presets in PT Photo Editor, which we were just offered here a couple of days ago. While today's offering is certainly a fun addition, it's not quite enough to hold my interest or my hard drive space. Uninstalled.

Pros: I do appreciate the easy install, easy key retrieval, clean interface, drag & drop capability, and allowing "save AS" - not overwriting my original image, plus the basic features like crop.

Whisperly  –  8 years ago  –  A fost util acest comentariu? da | nu (+10)

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Received the registration key instantly, no internet connection required for program activation.

It just a b&w effect generator, there is the dice button in the top right which can choose it randomly, If it were doing this for a video it would be more interesting but for a single photo only.

Evgeny  –  8 years ago  –  A fost util acest comentariu? da | nu (-8)

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diane,
https://www.giveawayoftheday.com/dramatic-black-white-2-55-2/get-key/

diane, https://www.giveawayoftheday.com/dramatic-black-white-2-55-2/get-key/
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Alexa Bennett  –  8 years ago  –  A fost util acest comentariu? da | nu (+7)

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