Launched some weeks ago, the B&W Effects series of special effects from Topaz Labs has reached a new level, with the inclusion of a Zone System module that helps you to adjust your photographs according to the method Ansel Adams used.
The new Zone System viewing mode lets you see your image broken down into 11 zones that represent the full tonal scale going from 0 as black to 10 as white. Zones are shown in different highlight colors for easy viewing. This viewing mode helps you determine whether or not you have the full tonal range in your image and then make exposure adjustments in our conversion module to correct these tones.
But there is more in this free update to people already using B&W Effects. For example, new borders to use in your photographs. The Borders feature in B&W Effects 2.1 allows you to choose from several realistic darkroom borders, with several styles including both bleeding and crisp edges. This new feature also allows you to select the size of the border. Includes Grungy White, Burnt Black, and more.
Other new features in B&W Effects 2.1 include the apply button and new languages such as French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese.
Read my review of the software in the article B&W Effects 2: Even More Fun with Black & White if you want to know more.
If by now you're curious, check the program. Download a trial version of Topaz Labs Black & White Effects 2. It is a lot of fun, believe me!
