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Post by hifidez on Jul 3, 2015 7:13:31 GMT
I like your work :-)
For the grain effects, which software do you use? I have Alien Skin 2 and a bit of freeware called 'Virtual Photographer' by OptikVerve Labs.
Derek
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2015 10:01:49 GMT
Thanks very much Derek 1,2,5,& 6 were processed with Snapseed but 3 & 4 were done in Color Efex 4. 3 & 4 are HDR images, the first from 5 frames & the second from just 3. I went a bit daft with HDR for a couple of years & managed to get pretty good at it but the novelty eventually wore off Color Efex is by Nik Software and is, in my opinion, by far the best editing suite out there. Snapseed is also good but these days it's more targeted at mobile devices. There is a standalone desktop app but it's relatively crude compared to the same thing on iOS & Android, believe it or not. It allows you to work with layers as you would in PS.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jul 6, 2015 19:43:53 GMT
These shorts are terrific Gordon. Like paintings. Really lovely.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2015 19:51:57 GMT
Thanks Ian. Looking at that post is the first time I've actually seen those photos all lined up like that. I get a lot of criticism too though, particularly on photography forums. Some people are of the opinion that the initial capture is the photo & all post-processing is cheating. Those people are wrong but don't try to tell them that. Photoshop's just a 21st century darkroom.
I never add anything to an image but I do change what was already there, if I think it looks better.
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Post by hifidez on Jul 7, 2015 9:21:32 GMT
Ok I'll get me' coat. I'll hang up my camera. Excellent work.
Anyone who supports leaving a photo 'as shot' really does not understand photography, or art for that matter.
In the pre-digital days you never had a photo unprocessed.
You first buy a film... which film? Kodak... Kodachrome or Ektachrome? Fuji? GAF/Anscochrome? Ilford? Agfa? Each manufactuere designing their films with different characteristic curves. You chose the one you thought gave the best picture. Film speed... do you like it grainy or grainless?
Negative films.. same issue but far more complex. Developer action? Paper type? Dodging and burning?
And if you have a typical colour neg 'snap' developed and printed you get what you're given. It's the labs idea of what makes a good result.
Post process is cheating? Since when was the abscence of processing even a possibility?
And photos taken in RAW are not meant to be left in RAW. Raw is linear and that's not what one wants to see... so if you process from RAW to jpg for example then you're accepting the software designer's view of what the finished photo should look like.
'struth. Give me strength.
Sorry for the rant and ramble.
Derek
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2015 11:43:28 GMT
I've used the same argument myself Derek. As soon as you accept a digital image you're already accepting someone else's default idea of processing. I can sort of see the point in leaving it as is if the image is for some kind of record. If the intention is to show a subject as close to what the eye sees, such as in reportage for instance.
Photography is a lot like listening to music though. It's so open to interpretation. I like my landscapes to look like they do in my head & not necessarily as they actually do on the day. Anyway, it's not as if anyone's forced to look at my photos & there's no money involved so I really don't see what the big deal is.
I once fancied a career in photo-journalism but real life got in the way. I think I'll always regret not being more forceful & determined. Story of my life.
Glad you like these though Derek. I have literally thousands more although, to be fair, like most people's shots the vast majority are junk.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jul 7, 2015 12:03:44 GMT
You took the words right out of my 'fingers' (?) Gordon!! You always get technicians and 'experts' telling you or advising you as to what is correct but in the end, it's in the eyes or ears of the beholder!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2015 18:56:37 GMT
Other people's opinions only matter when you're trying to profit from your 'art'.
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Post by ronzo56 on Jul 7, 2015 22:40:43 GMT
1) I agree with Derek. Had a dark room, black and white only in a closet as a kid. Every shot had something done to it. Art. Plain and simple. That's photography. Taking pictures is what people do at parties. 2) Gordon-Your work is amazing. I especially enjoy the ones with water. I have a retired mate who is also really into photography. He's very good as well. He's been taking classes at university in advanced photoshop techniques. I'll have to show him your work when he comes over next. Thanks for posting them. Think I will hook my PC up to the plasma and see them in a larger format.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2015 23:24:10 GMT
I started an evening course in Photoshop at a local college about ten years ago. On I think the third week we were invited to bring in what we were working on ourselves & when the lecturer saw what I was trying to do (not unlike these ones here) he just laughed at me & told me it was way too crude. Right in front of everyone else (who were all trying to superimpose cats onto their dogs & shit). I was mortified and told him to stick his class up his arse & stormed out. I never went back. Never looked back either. I've never been good in large groups of people. These photos are all relatively low-res, intended to be used as wallpapers and suchlike. I do have very high resolution versions & I've blown a couple up real big for printing. They can look great big. Not always though. Want a tip for how to tell if a landscape is good or great? Look at the thumbnail first. If that works then you're 90% of the way to a great photo. Alternatively, open it on your screen and stand at the other side of the room. Seriously. Try it. I didn't read that anywhere by the way. It's just true.
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Post by ronzo56 on Jul 8, 2015 0:07:52 GMT
Thanks for the tips Gordon. What an arse that instructor was. My mate has had a very encouraging instructor. He has finished top of the class all three times. Need to give a call and have him over for dinner to see what he is up to. Unrelated. Go USA! Women's World Cup!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2015 0:14:44 GMT
Donkeys!
Seriously, while I'm sure that tournament has done wonders for promoting the sport to women I think it nearly killed the "beautiful game" in the process. All the most technically gifted teams were knocked out very early on by teams which simply consisted of bigger, stronger players. I guess eventually they'll all be big & strong and so then the skill will come back into it as the differentiator but for now, the game's a bogey! As they say around these parts.
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