Apply image - legal? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

01/03/2008 11:26:54 AM · #1

Is this legal in basic editing?

image - apply image - soft light on the red channel

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

01/03/2008 11:31:12 AM · #2

Isn't this used for merging images? If so, then definitely not for basic, possibly for the new advanced and possibly yes for expert.

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

01/03/2008 11:33:17 AM · #3

what it does exactly, I don't know. something with the curves.. I love it.

Dirt_Diver

Nikon D3s

01/03/2008 12:23:38 PM · #4

The answer is no it's not legal. You are changing the blending mode from normal to soft light. Try this...

Do your normal image - apply image - soft light (NOT on the the red channel)
then try it again just duplicating the layer and changing it to soft light blending mode..

You get the same result

01/03/2008 12:25:36 PM · #5

In basic you may not use any blending mode other than normal, and you may not use pixel-containing layers, so no it's not legal. It is, however, a basic part of my workflow in anything but basic. I use it a lot on HDRI images.

R.

01/03/2008 01:04:27 PM · #6

hmm, ok, thanks.

I'll try to get the results I got now in another way.. any ideas?

01/03/2008 01:08:55 PM · #7

In basic no - but apply image is basically the same as duplicating a layer and blending that layer with the one beneath it in certain blend modes... as far as i know anyway.

01/03/2008 01:10:06 PM · #8

but then you'll be blending anyway, and that's NOT legal, right?

01/03/2008 01:18:34 PM · #9

not legal indeed. which is the same reason why apply image is not legal in my understanding of it.

I just tried what you suggested i forgot the bit about only the red layer... you can do that with the curves layer you know... you trying for a cross-processed style image?

All you need to do is use a curves layer. Go to the Red chanel on it put an anchor in the middle of the graph and keep the line above it straight, then drop the lower part of the graph so you get your normal bottom half of the S-curve and voila - you have your image the same as an apply imaged soft light red layer ;)

01/03/2008 01:19:00 PM · #10

Originally posted by biteme:

but then you'll be blending anyway, and that's NOT legal, right?

Right. As for duplicating the effect, play with curves layer. You can get close sometimes.

R.

01/03/2008 01:23:26 PM · #11

allright! I'll go and try some :D

01/03/2008 01:26:34 PM · #12

actually i lied - for a soft light you need the red curve to be a s-curve...

01/03/2008 01:55:24 PM · #13

yay, it worked, with 3 curves-layers and one brightness-contrast layer

Wooo!

01/03/2008 03:02:20 PM · #14

Originally posted by biteme:

yay, it worked, with 3 curves-layers and one brightness-contrast layer

Wooo!

I simulated the effect you were explaining with just one curves layer and it was spot on... sure it comes out perfect or is it slightly overprocessed?

01/03/2008 03:05:37 PM · #15

Originally posted by inshaala:

Originally posted by biteme:
yay, it worked, with 3 curves-layers and one brightness-contrast layer

Wooo!

I simulated the effect you were explaining with just one curves layer and it was spot on... sure it comes out perfect or is it slightly overprocessed?

the way you explained wasn't really working for me.. probably I was doing something wrong, haha. but the effect is exactly the same, so no worries ;)

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

01/03/2008 04:05:24 PM · #16

It just goes to show that a LOT of things that are "illegal" in basic are just shortcuts for effects that can be legally obtained if you know how. This is why I have always said that basic editing actually gives an advantage to experienced PS users, because they know how to do things the long way. Less-experienced users can more easily process in advanced editing, with all of PS's arsenal of short-cuts available to make life simple for them.

R.

liberty

Canon EOS-50D

01/03/2008 04:17:08 PM · #17

I used apply image in this picture, it was basic editing, and I was asked for varification, and it passed. You can always ask before you submit.

BHuseman

Nikon D750

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C

01/03/2008 04:35:48 PM · #18

I think SC needs to clarify this. The rules say that you can only use use only Adjustment Layers (or their equivalent). An Adjustment Layer is a special type of layer containing no image data that lets you experiment with color and tonal adjustments without permanently modifying the pixels. Adjustment Layers must be applied in Normal mode.

There is no specific clarification on the apply image feature.

Yes, I will agree that it will do the same as what the adjustment layer set to Soft Light does, but the rules do not otherwise specify it as illegal.

levyj413

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

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

01/03/2008 06:00:36 PM · #19

How do you apply a layer to only one channel? I don't mean convert to only one channel and then apply a layer, but rather apply something to only one channel in an RGB image.

01/03/2008 06:12:22 PM · #20

Originally posted by levyj413:

How do you apply a layer to only one channel? I don't mean convert to only one channel and then apply a layer, but rather apply something to only one channel in an RGB image.

That's what "apply image" DOES: it is a shortcut to copying the layer and blending it in another mode than "normal". Instead of copying the layer and setting blending mode to "soft light" (or whatever) then flattening the resulting 2-layer image, you just go "image/apply image" and set the blending mode. Blending modes other than "normal" are illegal in basic editing, even when used on an otherwise-legal adjustment layer, so I can't imagine how that one passed muster.

R.

Whoops, I just realized I am not answering your question... But my query still is valid.

Message edited by author 2008-01-03 18:14:09.