Well here we are again… that rare, but non the less momentous event – a blog post.
As I’ve said on numerous occasions, post processing is really not my thing, I simply haven’t got the patience. Furthermore, I’m not comfortable on relying on endless tweaks in various software to produce a decent image; if it isn’t there after some basic adjustments, then that’s it; it aint happening etc.
Up until now I’ve developed a reasonably straight forward worflow which has produced some reasonable images. One of the big leaps forward for me was using DxO software – Optics Pro for “developing” my RAW files, and FilmPack5 for adding some different “looks” etc. The use of FilmPack led me to look at other Photoshop Plug-ins: Topaz Labs (which I quite like) and since it’s been made free, Google’s Nik Collection.
One thing that I find myself drawn to is the use of local contrast adjustment in various presets; particularly as this is one thing that I found made a big difference when I started using DxO Optics Pro.
So, having played around with a few presets and developed a couple of more “manual” methods, not least of which being the Unsharp mask tool in Photoshop (using low amount and high radius), I thought I’d share my thoughts. And it was high time that I wrote another blog post!.
I revisited some images from a climbing shoot which I particularly liked and chose one that I thought was quite a good image; although it does indicate some questionable belaying technique!
As always, click on the image to see it full size (2048 x 1367 – may open a separate window or tab etc).
First of all is the original published image, very little processing and it looks okay:
Then, there’s the same image where I’ve applied the adjustments using Unsharp mask:
A stronger effect using Nik Collection’s “Bleach Bypass” preset as a starting point:
And finally, the image above converted to black & white:
So maybe I will be spending a bit more time in post processing after all…
