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Showing posts 26 - 34 of 34, (reverse)
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 02/03/2005 04:06:30 PM · #26
Wil - here's your image after a spot-masked 'Sharpen Edges' layer at 640px wide - then 'Save for Web':



Edits:
> 4 layers; 1 normal, 1 NeatImage (heavy setting - excessively smoothed), 1 sharpened, 1 composited all layers combined
> subtle spot masking of combi layer to reveal 'natural' texture
> Lab colour conversion and slight blur to sky to reduce noise

I agree that NeatImage has been used to oblivion here on DPC. Subtlety is always the order of the day and, when used with restraint, it can really aid the unpleasant effects of digital photography. Also, if you want great shots you have to work at them in isolation since global application across the entire image doesn't allow for fluctuations.
 02/03/2005 04:08:24 PM · #27
Originally posted by messerschmitt:
in fact i just think i discovered they only show when uploaded here in DP...is it i m making a mistake somewhere??


What sort of Internet Service are you using? Some providers compress pictures to make pages load faster and this can really show artifacts. I was looking DPC over at our kids house and the pictures really looked dreadful - there were compression artifacts on all the pictures in my portfolio. They have Wal-Mart Connect and acceleration which causes more compression on pictures.

AOL really screws pictues up and any thing that says it is "accelerated" ruins pictues as that it how it makes the internet faster - by compressing pictures.
 02/03/2005 04:15:08 PM · #28
Originally posted by Imagineer:
Wil - here's your image after a spot-masked 'Sharpen Edges' layer at 640px wide - then 'Save for Web':



Edits:
> 4 layers; 1 normal, 1 NeatImage (heavy setting - excessively smoothed), 1 sharpened, 1 composited all layers combined
> subtle spot masking of combi layer to reveal 'natural' texture
> Lab colour conversion and slight blur to sky to reduce noise

I agree that NeatImage has been used to oblivion here on DPC. Subtlety is always the order of the day and, when used with restraint, it can really aid the unpleasant effects of digital photography. Also, if you want great shots you have to work at them in isolation since global application across the entire image doesn't allow for fluctuations.


Imagineer this is exactly how i intend it to show off
no major nasty effects are visible with this one..fantastic
the techical explanation might be a little premature for my skills
but at least im convinced where my aim should be at
thx for ur very helpfull efforts

everybodys comment inhere was interesting and helpfull
thank u all
i m gonna work at them!

02/03/2005 05:28:41 PM · #29
Originally posted by Imagineer:

Edits:
> 4 layers; 1 normal, 1 NeatImage (heavy setting - excessively smoothed), 1 sharpened, 1 composited all layers combined
> subtle spot masking of combi layer to reveal 'natural' texture
> Lab colour conversion and slight blur to sky to reduce noise


This is such a great lesson for all of us. Glad that messerschmitt posted and really glad that Imagineer is prepared to give such a good description of the "fix" process. Thanks to both of you.

I think I understand the bulk of the steps, but what do you mean by "1 composited all layers combined?" What is a composite or combi layer?
02/03/2005 05:41:20 PM · #30
Originally posted by puzzled:
I think I understand the bulk of the steps, but what do you mean by "1 composited all layers combined?" What is a composite or combi layer?

Sometimes the results can't be achieved with just one application of a fliter or treatment. Sometimes one gets the image close to perfection but, to make the final edits easier I do my final tweaks on a final, merged layer. SO basically I get it almost right, then:

> Edit: Copy Merged
> Paste (at the top of layer stack)
> Edit final layer until satisfied - sometimes creating numerous merged layers

I hope that's a little clearer - but everyone has their own way of doing these things.

Edit: I actually think the one I've uploaded is slightly over-smoothed!

Message edited by author 2005-02-03 17:53:57.
 02/03/2005 06:06:19 PM · #31
Originally posted by Imagineer:

I hope that's a little clearer - but everyone has their own way of doing these things.

Hi, thanks - yes, I thought I understood exactly what you meant, so I ran to Photoshop to try it out. I created 4 layers with various changes to each layer, including opacity. Then I chose "Merge visible" and merged all but the original background layer. The "Copy Merged" in the Edit menu is greyed out. It's like this no matter what I do.

I love the idea of being able to merge certain layers and retain the individual layers to which I've applied NI, levels, or whatever. What I am I doing wrong?

I really appreciate the help.

uh-oh... just realized this is a NeatImage thread - sorry for the brief hijack!
02/03/2005 06:36:52 PM · #32
Originally posted by puzzled:
I love the idea of being able to merge certain layers and retain the individual layers to which I've applied NI, levels, or whatever. What I am I doing wrong?

I really appreciate the help.

uh-oh... just realized this is a NeatImage thread - sorry for the brief hijack!

It will be greyed out if: a) you are have not highlighted an active layer (ie, not hidden) and/or, b) if you have not selected an area to copy - cmnd -'a', (select all) if you want to copy the whole image, or just select an area with the marquee or lasso tool.

Another useful way of working is to group linked layers into a layer set and apply a mask to the set. This will mask even layers with effects (such as emboss & drop shadow) without making a mess of the effect.
 02/03/2005 06:55:52 PM · #33
Jumping back in, here is an image that would be destroyed if you used NI on it look at the end of the flpwer where it hangs and you see the little hairs, if you were to use NI even in small amounts this detail would be lost.


Message edited by author 2005-02-03 18:57:30.
 02/03/2005 07:34:23 PM · #34
DRZ01, that image is clean enough that NI would not be used anyway. NI is a very useful tool, if used properly.
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