3D LightMaster - DPChallenge Forums

07/25/2007 10:47:56 AM · #1

I'm realy curious about this product, but after a few google searches I an find NO info from users about it. Has anyone tried it? Do you recommend it? Is it worth $100?

Link: //3dlightmaster.com/index.html

07/25/2007 11:04:33 AM · #2

They seem to really know their stuff, since to run the disc, your computer needs to have 512 milligrams of RAM.

(under PRICE on their site)

07/25/2007 11:05:31 AM · #3

Originally posted by ajdelaware:

They seem to really know their stuff, since to run the disc, your computer needs to have 512 milligrams of RAM.

(under PRICE on their site)

Hahahaaaaa hadn't noticed that. Forget it, I'm not going near that.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

07/25/2007 11:12:20 AM · #4

My computer has an IV or RAM that administers 512mgs every couple of minutes to keep it hydrated.

Honestly though, that looks like one of those shitty things on ebay that shows you how to MAKE A MILLION DOLLARS SELLING BOTTLE CAPS or something.

They dont provide any before and after shots, which is pretty crucial when showing off something like that.

And the testimonials are great: DONT TELL ANYBODY! and WOW THAT IS NEAT.

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

07/25/2007 11:44:41 AM · #5

funny how all the testimonials keep refering to "the process", could be legit but for me a testimonial from "BJ from Tennessee" doesnt hold alot of water :P

-dave

07/25/2007 11:46:34 AM · #6

Originally posted by dknourek:

funny how all the testimonials keep refering to "the process", could be legit but for me a testimonial from "BJ from Tennessee" doesnt hold alot of water :P

-dave

You never know. B.J. could stand for ANSEL ADAMS!!!!

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

07/25/2007 03:07:50 PM · #7

I just got an email from Tom McDaniel of 3D Light Master. :D

He encourages us to try his product and promises money back if we're not satisfied. So maybe I'll give it a go..... and maybe I won't. Still debating.

Atleast we know he's a live person and apparently has seen this thread.

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

07/25/2007 03:24:38 PM · #8

well some of the before and after shots don't look to bad except for the brunette in the blue top, the after shot makes her look like the crazy doll lady did that one. So is this supposed to be a sort of tutorial showing how to achieve these looks or PS actions or a plug-in of some sort, there's very little info on the site as to what you are buying...

-dave

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

07/25/2007 03:32:39 PM · #9

Haha. Cindi - see this goes back to that thread in RANT about Keeping your personal stuff off a website - YOU NEVER KNOW WHO IS READING!!!!

And in hindsight, I have since found the before and afters and I guess its ok....

some of the people look way to over processed though, very soft and fuzzzy in the face. The brunette in the blue (besides being a knockout) turned out a little better.

But this overall seems like a fix for if your flash wasnt working when you shot it?

Spork99

OM System OM-1

07/25/2007 03:45:27 PM · #10

It's a collection of PS actions.

Lots of people sell them.

Is that particular collection worth $100?

Probably not as far as I'm concerned. If the examples look like stuff you'd want to sell your clients, then maybe it is worth a look for you.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

07/25/2007 03:50:55 PM · #11

Gotta give this guy props...... After chatting with Tom on the phone he showed me his digital art -- have a look here: //meltshop.com/Gallery.htm

Impressive!

He also explained the software a bit better and told me how the package works and how many ways it can be used. I'm pretty impressed with HOW he developed the package - he's a digital artist & retoucher, not a photographer.

I agree that his website should include more details, but I think he's on the right track. By the way, he's now advertising this new product in Rangefinder, should do well.

I'll let you know how well it works when I try it.

zaflabout

Nikon D300

07/25/2007 03:54:16 PM · #12

Originally posted by idnic:

well if you are going to get it, please do show us samples:)

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

08/02/2007 09:34:25 PM · #13

Hi all. I got the DVD from 30D Light Master today. Installation was easy and took just a couple of minutes, basically load action set in Photoshop. The DVD includes 6 short videos, each demonstrating one of the components to the actions. Each video was about 5 minutes long. By the time I finished watching the videos I understood the workings of this process and was ready to try for myself.

3D Light Master is NOT a filter or set of filters. It is an action set that methodically steps you through the retouching process while automating such functions as masking and layer creation. It makes the entire process very fast and very simple. There is a world of variety you can achieve as you modify each of the layers/masks/functions.

Each of the samples below was created from the out-of-the-camera original and used nothing in PhotoShop except for the 3D Light Master actions. No contrast, no levels, no sharpening.... nothing. Each edit took about 4 minutes (a little longer on the first few before I got the hang of it). Seriously, I spent longer making web-sized before/afters than I did creating the edits in the first place.

Here are my first few samples:

I own a couple of other retouching software packages, including NIK's filters which run several hundred dollars. My first impression of 3D Light Master is that I can get the same results, faster and with more flexibility with this set than I can with NIK's. You need to understand Photoshop Layers a bit before you can use it efficiently, but with the DVD movies you'll get a really good start in just a short period of time even if you don't normally use layers.

Granted you can create the same results using Photoshop alone, but the time sink would be hours rather than minutes.

Is it worth the cost? I'd have to give this one a thumbs up. Cheaper than comparable programs and does the job nicely.

Please pardon my over-zealous use of this system on a couple of my samples -- remember I only opened the box about 2 hours ago.

alfresco

Nikon D700

08/02/2007 10:06:00 PM · #14

Nice examples sister Cindi - looks like a great time saver!

As usual, you are the woman with the info :)

08/02/2007 11:30:05 PM · #15

Thanks, JP!

I keep goofing with different images. This one is from a snapshot in my back yard. I pushed it a bit for a more painterly look.

Message edited by author 2007-08-03 00:59:36.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

08/03/2007 09:48:24 AM · #16

Bump - I'm surprised at so little interest in a productive new product.

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/03/2007 10:00:29 AM · #17

Originally posted by idnic:

Bump - I'm surprised at so little interest in a productive new product.

I'm still thinking about it. I think from your samples cindi the one of the bride is the most impressive, but I do trust your opinion and that with your own samples are starting to convince me that this may be a useful tool in my arsenal :)

-dave

justamistere

Nikon D3s

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

08/03/2007 11:23:46 AM · #18

Did you get a free copy for selling it here, you should?

It does make an improvement as shown in you examples. If there was a 10 to 30 day Free Trial I would try it on some of my photos. I've seen other software at in a similar price that does similar things. A SC referenced one about a week ago. I haven't tried any, yet.

For some of your photos, like your bride, adjusting the White-Balance may do that. On others there is Color Smoothing in Adobe Bridge when converting from a raw file. Noise Ninja also smooths faces.

It may save time in masking, which can be done by selecting a color ranges in PhotoShop.

candlerain

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/03/2007 11:33:39 AM · #19

I like quick and easy. Since I suck at PS maybe this could be great for me.

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

08/03/2007 11:44:31 AM · #20

Originally posted by justamistere:

Did you get a free copy for selling it here, you should?

LOL I'm not trying to sell anything. Just giving my review. I try software every chance I get, some works, some isn't worth the time.
I know you can do all of the same things without an action set, I just enjoy saving time and effort where possible. For me, processing a 2 hour shoot can take quite a while - if I can do the same work faster - Yahoo! :)

I will goof with it a bit more today. Yesterday I was trying to find images that weren't perfect so I could challenge myself and 3DLM.

I think with a bit of practice anyone could do retouching this way.

Nald

Nikon D700

08/03/2007 12:05:09 PM · #21

I'm waiting for the "BUT WAIT! Theres MORE!" line Cindi.

:D

Actions look pretty decent IMHO, we've seen some "difficult" shots you've processed, how bout hitting us up with some of your exceptional work ran though this stuff?

08/03/2007 01:58:49 PM · #22

Originally posted by naldslc:

Yessir. Working on that (during my lunch break) ;D

08/03/2007 03:18:36 PM · #23

Here are a few that I've played with today. I've tried this on all types of images, but its easiest to see the results on a portrait that's rather close-up since you guys are viewing web-sized. It really looks better full-sized.

I shot this pic some time ago, but never edited it because I thought it would be too much bother for a poor result. Today - 10 minutes and it was done, now a marketable shot. Too bad it was taken over a year ago. My favorite element is the final action - it puts the skin texture back so you don't end up with a plastic face. That's what I used here:

These two were me experimenting with the extremes and finding my personal taste limits (and crossing them). :)

smardaz

08/03/2007 03:31:46 PM · #24

Originally posted by dknourek:

sorry i didnt notice that, i couldnt pull my eyes away from her cleavage long enough to see the crazy doll look... ;)