Beechcraft From Germany, joined Nov 2003, 795 posts, RR: 45 Posted (2 years 7 months 3 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 964 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW PHOTO SCREENER
Hi all,
This topic not only refers to the Photoshop tool, but to other programms with similar features.
The wrong use of this tool causes a lot of rejections lately, and although my simple advice would be: just don´t use it, let´s hear other opinions and advises.
cheers,
Denis
That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college!
Aero145 From Iceland, joined Jan 2005, 2358 posts, RR: 27 Reply 1, posted (2 years 7 months 3 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 955 times:
Thanks for starting this thread, Denis!
I was suggesting the tool in one thread, then Florian T. and Tim d. G. weren't happy with the suggestion... I use this so little, that I forgot the halos it makes...
I've stopped to use it...
My opinion: An OK tool, but the halos are a pain-in-the-neck.
ThierryD From Luxembourg, joined Dec 2005, 1510 posts, RR: 51 Reply 3, posted (2 years 7 months 3 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 914 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUPPORT
Quite an effective tool if used carefully.
I've only been using it for a short period of time but had some nice results and I'm sure that I can save some past shots for A.net that were rejected before.
Here is one example of a photo that probably wouldn't have made it in without the shadow highlight tool:
The occasion was just too good; a B732 passing by at a rarely visited airport. But sadley the sun was coming from an awfully wrong direction.
What I did was to adjust the lighting via the SH tool before any other step in the processing (except for cropping and dust removal). I highlighted the dark areas while reducing the bright area (1:1 ratio).
The rest of the processing (contrast/lighting, saturation, ...) was done as always.
Without the SH tool this result would not have been possible as the simple lighting tool would either have the aircraft be too dark or the sky too bright.
The tool really has to be used with moderation though as it can completely flatten out a shot or, as Denis said, add a considerable amount of grain or at least make the existing amount much more visible.
All in all a tool I wouldn't want to miss anymore for shots where backlight is unavoidable.
JeffM From United States, joined May 2005, 3217 posts, RR: 55 Reply 4, posted (2 years 7 months 3 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 914 times:
I use it all the time. Multiple times per image too. Probably on the last 250 to 300 photos I have uploaded since getting CS2, other then the ones I've uploaded SOOC. It is a fantastic tool if you know how to use it.
Photopilot From Cuba, joined Jul 2002, 1620 posts, RR: 16 Reply 5, posted (2 years 7 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 889 times:
I also use it all the time but as JeffM says, it's knowing how to use it and WHEN to use it. I would define it as a subtle tool that combined with levels and B/C can really give you the details in otherwise too dark shadows without loosing the highlight detail. If you're getting the dreaded "halo" effect, you're using far too high a setting and most probably trying to "salvage" an poorly exposed image to begin with.
Eadster From Australia, joined Jan 2005, 2172 posts, RR: 18 Reply 6, posted (2 years 7 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 876 times:
Quoting Aero145 (Reply 1): I was suggesting the tool in one thread, then Florian T. and Tim d. G. weren't happy with the suggestion... I use this so little, that I forgot the halos it makes...
Don't not use something just because others say not too!
The tool is really handy, but if used in the right amounts. Too much will, as mentioned, cause a heap of grain the dark areas. Highlights to me, doesn't seem to be as harsh as the shadows side of things. More "grunt" is required with highlights, but be careful as it doesn't always work properly. The best way is to get a picture out and have a crack at it.
I give my photos a touch of it each time, sometimes just too see if it makes it look any better. Only the slightest amounts though.
IL76 From Netherlands, joined Jan 2004, 2135 posts, RR: 55 Reply 7, posted (2 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 854 times:
I use it a lot too, but with very moderate settings and never on the whole image. Using selections and feathering you can avoid the halos a bit aswell...
ANITIX87 From Switzerland, joined Mar 2005, 2504 posts, RR: 13 Reply 8, posted (2 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 850 times:
Is it better to use S&H before or after all other methods? I tend to do everything but sharpen (levels, brightness/contrast) before I use the S&H tool. Is it better to use it at the get-go?
INNflight From Austria, joined Apr 2004, 3513 posts, RR: 66 Reply 9, posted (2 years 7 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 818 times:
Quoting Aero145 (Reply 1): was suggesting the tool in one thread, then Florian T. and Tim d. G. weren't happy with the suggestion
I was referring to the mentioned image though. If your exposure is correct and quality is there, it's useable and a nice tool to make subjects look brighter. Used it on quite some photos I have around.
I'm for sure not against it in general, there's just no need for having "use shadow / highlight" in your workflow for every photo you process.
Florian
AirTeamImages - take the high road and others will follow
TimdeGroot From Netherlands, joined Apr 2002, 3595 posts, RR: 73 Reply 11, posted (2 years 7 months 3 weeks ago) and read 766 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW PHOTO SCREENER
Quoting INNflight (Reply 9): I'm for sure not against it in general, there's just no need for having "use shadow / highlight" in your workflow for every photo you process.
Yep. Some people seem to use it on every shot, even when there is no reason to do so. Too many people are also using it incorrectly resulting in tons of unneccesary rejections.
Aero145 From Iceland, joined Jan 2005, 2358 posts, RR: 27 Reply 12, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 749 times:
I used that Shadow/Highlight tool on this photo. I can't remember which I used, Shadow or Highlight, but the one I used, I put to 50... either way... It worked very well... But the photo isn't very good after all.
FlyingZacko From Germany, joined May 2005, 570 posts, RR: 7 Reply 13, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 742 times:
Quoting Aero145 (Reply 12): can't remember which I used, Shadow or Highlight, but the one I used, I put to 50
Shadow lightens up dark places, while highlight suppresses "highlights", i.e. glare and such.
50 However is way too much. I personally don't use more than 5-10 even though 10 is even too much sometimes.
Cheers,
Sebastian
Canon 40D + 24-70 f/2.8 L + 70-200 f/4 L + Speedlite 430EX
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