Crossing the Plateau du Trient, Mont Blanc Massif

Posted on Wed, 6 May, 2015 by LensScaper

In the last few days I’ve finally got round to loading Nik software including the superb Silver Efex Pro 2 and having seen some of the results I don’t understand why it took me so long to take the plunge.

I’ve re-visited a number of B&W conversions, of which this is one, and found an interpretation that is so much better than anything I had achieved previously.

7[]-Crossing Plateau du Trient. Aig DoreesThis was taken back in 2005 on my first digital compact. I was on the second day of the Climbers’ Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt and we had set out before dawn from the Albert Premier Refuge on the edge of the Glacier du Tour, crossed the Col supérieur du Tour and were now heading over the plateau to the Cabane d’Orny and from there down into the Val Ferret to La Fouly. It was a beautiful morning as you can see, but less than three hours later we were soaked by a violent thunderstorm. Fortunately by that stage we were well on our way to the valley floor.

About LensScaper

Hi - I'm a UK-based photographer who started out 45+ years ago as a lover of landscapes, inspired by my love of outdoor pursuits: skiing, walking and climbing. Now retired, I seldom leave home without a camera and I find images in unexpected places and from different genres. I work on the premise that Photography is Art and that creativity is dependent on the cultivation of 'A Seeing Eye'.
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23 Responses to Crossing the Plateau du Trient, Mont Blanc Massif

  1. edithlevyphotography says:
    Wed, 6 May, 2015 at 12:05

    Really beautiful Andy. I keep hearing that Silver FX is a great plugin but I have SO many that I’ve been hesitating to add another. Maybe I should just download a trial?

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    • LensScaper says:
      Wed, 6 May, 2015 at 13:38

      I was impressed, Edith. The results are superior to Topaz and On1 IMHO. The only downside is that it is difficult to read the names of the presets that run in in a filmstrip down the left of the screen are not prominent enough or easy to remember. You can download a 30day trial.

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  2. Simon Howlett says:
    Wed, 6 May, 2015 at 12:51

    Impressive results from SEP2. The image looks superb … an amazing location.

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  3. shoreacres says:
    Wed, 6 May, 2015 at 12:51

    Ah, the wonderful world of the internet. Just as you bring us this beautiful photo, processed with the mysterious Nik Silver whatever, a blog friend in New England posts his own photo, processed with the same program. If the two of you keep at it, you’re going to make me a fan of black and white yet.

    Is the cobbled appearance of the snow due to melting/refreezing? At first I thought the indentations were footprints, and then I realized that, no matter how heavy the tourist traffic up there, it couldn’t be that heavy!

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    • LensScaper says:
      Wed, 6 May, 2015 at 13:49

      Thank you, Linda. Nik produce a series of Plug-ins that work within Photoshop, Elements or Lightroom as a set of additional processing tools for specific purposes and the only I’ve tried so far is this one for B&W processing. Nik is certainly highly regarded. You will see a lot more B&W images that have been through Nik in the coming weeks and months. And Yes, all those markings are due to cycles of melt/re-freeze. The surface will soften every day and then re-freeze overnight. In early morning it’s a firm surface and that makes walking easy. Late in the day after softening it can be much tougher going as your feet sink in a bit and slide around

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  4. Len says:
    Wed, 6 May, 2015 at 14:39

    Great shot and editing Andy. Silver Effects is an awesome plug-in and it was the first B&W one that I used. I have found that it has spawned numerous other B&W plug-ins by other companies. Each one has their pros and cons. Glad that you finally took the plunge, my friend.

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  5. alan frost says:
    Wed, 6 May, 2015 at 17:59

    A lovely shot Andy. I have been using Silver Efex for several years now, ever since I became a dedicated mono worker. I still use LR and PS for many conversions but Silver Efex can produce great results without having to use layers or masks. I also like the film presets. The other Nik plugins – Colour Efex and Viveza are also worth using. Good luck with the new plug-in and I shall look forward to seeing more b&w images.

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    • LensScaper says:
      Wed, 6 May, 2015 at 20:17

      Thanks for your comment on Silver Efex, Alan. I have the complete package of Nik plug-ins and gradually I will dip into the others. Currently I’m kept busy re-processing some of my previous conversions and constantly being surprised by the quality of the results I am getting. More B&W will be posted.

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  6. lisakimmorley says:
    Wed, 6 May, 2015 at 22:26

    Great shot, wonderful textures. I also have been using SilverEfex for a couple of years and love it.

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  7. Norma (Through My Eyes) says:
    Fri, 8 May, 2015 at 10:49

    A wonderful shot Andy!

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  8. Pete Buckley says:
    Fri, 8 May, 2015 at 17:50

    Nice photo Andy – did a similar route from the AP to the Aiguille du Tour – it’s good up there!

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  9. Linda Grashoff says:
    Sun, 10 May, 2015 at 14:59

    I like this a lot, Andy. It’s another piece of the proof that the photograph is made by the photographer more than by the camera.

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  10. Chillbrook says:
    Sun, 10 May, 2015 at 17:13

    Fabulous Andy! Glad you got your Nik Software loaded. It’s superb isn’t it?

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  11. seekraz says:
    Mon, 11 May, 2015 at 13:54

    Beautiful black and white, Andy. Would love to smell the crisp air up there!

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