After too many hours spent sitting on trains over the weekend I desperately needed some exercise today so I decided to go for a brisk walk around the village with my camera and nifty fifty lens. Given today’s interminably grey weather it seemed appropriate to shoot images which would work in black and white. I’ve recently downloaded the trial version of Nik Silver Efex Pro as I’d heard great things about it as a black and white conversion tool. It seems that, on this occasion, all the hype is justified and I love the creative effects it offers. The only downside is that I now need to save up enough pennies to buy the full version when my trial runs out!

I love the leaf shot... and I use all the Nik software as well, it's great! :) bumpusdogs · 2011-11-07: 11:47

Amazing :) Leaf goes to favs! Kovac · 2011-11-07: 12:05

nice set! love the different textures:) jennyLit · 2011-11-07: 12:41

These are just great, Helen!!!! Now you've got me curious....think I'll have to check out the trial version of that software! lookagain · 2011-11-07: 12:56

Beautiful idea and so real here also: monochrome Monday ! :) josy63 · 2011-11-07: 14:59

Glad you enjoyed your walk..the photos look great, lots of detail showing up. elizzi · 2011-11-07: 15:04

I just love the perfect focus that you have achieved on the duck! danrav · 2011-11-07: 17:37

lovely mono , duck is beautiful. MoMac · 2011-11-07: 17:41

These are marvelous! Love the duck, it's so detailed in b/w..even though I usually prefer color, these are fantastic. NellyBly · 2011-11-07: 17:48

superb! love the duck! tomie · 2011-11-07: 17:59

Love the duckie! Do you find all these programs online? I am so not "in the know"! lukesmom · 2011-11-07: 20:18

The detail in the first shot is outstanding...well done! LAZYWASP · 2011-11-08: 02:57

Well done. I rarely like wildlife in B&W but this works well. Great job Helen! SheriJ · 2011-11-08: 09:04

So beautiful BW edition Nice contrasts Great textures Well done helys · 2011-11-08: 12:40

The duck is wonderful, love the contrasts and details. Wasichseh · 2011-11-08: 13:36

The duck looks so content:) Great shots, Helen! Eiram · 2011-11-13: 05:46

Tagged: bw monochrome duck bird leaf