Continued from the 'Editing The Raw Files...Part 4' post on June 19Th :
12) Don't get too carried away with color corrections at this point. There will be plenty of opportunities to tweak the final image in Photoshop. The goal is to get all your Raw Files taken in the same setup to have a consistent density and color balance. This is also the best time to apply the basic level of sharpening to the images.
NOTE: Most digital cameras will de-focus ( blur) the Raw Output slightly to combat Moire Patterns which plague images captured digitally. It is recommended and expected that there will be a basic level of re-sharpening applied in the Raw Processing Software. The old debate about sharpening or not sharpening the Raw file before conversion has been settled. The majority of professional camera manufacturers explicitly recommend a minimal re-sharpening on the Raw File before conversion. Canon digital cameras will definitely produce a softer Raw Image than the same file produced by a Nikon or Fuji. This is the way the camera was designed and is not a flaw.
I generally run a level 2 sharpening on my files processed in Canon's DPP ( Digital Photo Professional ) Raw Processing software. It is a minimal, but effective starter point prior to un-sharp masking.
Contrast, color temp and gamma can also be dealt with on a case by case basis; although I rarely change any of theses settings and tend to leave them in their default ( 0) state. Your final output should determine how snappy you should set any of these parameters. I believe the best practice is to find the settings that produce the smoothest, noise free, color rich images that your camera is capable of, and then leave them alone! You will more accurately learn your camera's true capabilities when you process your files consistently using the same settings.
NOTE: Under or overexposed images can benefit from a duplicate file with the proper exposure correction. The extra file can be used later to composite the missing ( blown out / too dark ) data back into the final Tiff image. Most Raw conversion software will let you copy and paste from a thumbnail to create a duplicate of any image. Remember, it's always better to manipulate the data rich Raw File when making extreme exposure corrections. You will always have the best end result when you are working from the master Digital Negative.
to be continued...
Monday, July 2, 2007
Editing......Part 5
Sunday, July 1, 2007
More Canon Secrets?
For those of you who e-mailed me about the technical drawing featured in the June 28th Post "Technology You Haven't Seen!" , there is still no definitive answers from Dr. P at Space Command Headquarters. The executives at Canon USA won't acknowledge any proprietary research on Special Focus Invisibility, which is rumored to be the technology behind the New Canon EOS 1D Mark III. Any of my readers capable of interpreting the data featured in last week's post will have their photograph posted and excerpts from their research included in a special article on this site!
Good Luck to all!
Update :
Response from the SCH and Dr Pimento:
-
re: More Canon Secrets
I feel I must respond. This is, after all, a subject of unique interest to me. I am Dr. Pimento. In 1973 I earned my Ph.D. in esoteric crypto-linguistics (admittedly an obsure science). I have examined the code in the Canon 1D MkIII and have found, shall we say, "parallels" between it and the glyph-language found on fragments of the infamous Roswell "flying disc".
Canon, however they came to be in possession of this "außerirdischen" code, decided to incorporate it into the autofocus instruction set in the new 1D MkIII. They would have been well advised to contact Dr. Pimento for his input before committing themselves to production.
I have discovered an error in their translation of the code. For the present, time does not permit me to discuss the matter at greater length. All I can say at this time is, a crucial MISUNDERSTANDING of one key symbol in the code has crippled the autofocus.
God willing, Dr. Pimento will set the record straight and call the guilty to account.
Dr. Pimento
- received: July 2, 2007 1:50 PM
Saturday, June 30, 2007
How Many Photographers Does It Take?
Every Photographer should know this one. I believe the joke goes something like this: "So... how many Photographers does it take to screw in a light bulb?" I know you are all holding your breath waiting for the answer. OK, isn't it obvious .......... the answer is..... one, that's right, just one........ and 40 other Photographers to stand behind that guy and say...... "I coulda done that!" Well, that joke has been around for quite a while, and I'm sure that it wasn't created just for Photographers. I am certain that it applies to painters, sculptors, designers, software engineers and just about anyone who sees themselves as an artist of some kind. It's a common feeling to look at someone else's work ( art, design, photographs etc...) and imagine how you might have done it better. The envy you feel when confronted with another artist's exceptional talent and creativity is a powerful motivator; time to step up your game and show the world what you are capable of ! There is, however, a level of talent and innovation that stops you in your tracks and makes you doubt your own worth as a professional. These happy-go-lucky dabblers are almost always amateurs who do not depend on their Art as a sole means of income. They are students, hobbyists, housewives and others who still work a 9 to 5 job. For them, making images is the release from their stress and worries. I believe this says something profound about what can happen to your creativity when you make your avocation a vocation. Maintaining your enthusiasm and artistic standards isn't always easy, especially when you get the assignment to photograph some stiff looking senior executive sitting in a messy office with plain, unadorned white walls. Let's not forget the fluorescent lights that have sucked the color out of his skin and the desk full of crappy banquet awards and old paperwork. Did I mention the comb - over and the Harry Caray Signature over- sized glasses? Shooting in that kind of environment can really tax your creativity and make you wish you had kept your job at the 'Fotomat'. But for the endlessly gifted and visionary Dilettante who answers to no one but his / her self, there are no limits. Break out the pinhole camera or the Eastern European plastic lens 6X7 and create the next cover of Luerzer's Archive. When you can do anything you want, the sky's the limit! For the rest of us there's always those not so exciting and lucrative Pro - Bono jobs to look forward to.
So in my effort to motivate myself and my readers, I will create a new Link List on the right sidebar of this Blog. I will be featuring the Websites of the fantastically talented slackers who still keep a day job, yet consistently outperform us Pros. Keep an eye out for the new links. They should start popping up on the list within a few days.
Coming soon...
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Technology You Haven't Seen!
Could this be the cause of the focus problems with Canon Camera's new EOS 1D Mark III? You be the judge! I know what this is............do you?
What do you think...
Strobist Takes Leave...
David, over at the Strobist Weblog is taking a 1 year leave of absence from his full time gig as a Staff Photographer for the Baltimore Sun. He will be devoting more resources to his very popular Weblog, with the added benefit of having more time to spend with his family. Plans for a lighting course on DVD and more travel projects and seminars are in the works.
you can read more about it on his site
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
After Capture Magazine Subscription Offer!
I had an opportunity to check out a copy of the new AFTERCAPTURE magazine today. I read it cover to cover while I was waiting for a client to arrive at the studio. The publishers are offering some sort of free subscription, available for a limited time. I was extremely impressed by the printing, visuals and content. I would have to say that it might well be the most useful magazine ever published for Digital Photographers. No kidding!
Check them out on their WEBZINE to get a feel for the content.
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