How to reverse engineer processing?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

01/21/2009 06:22:01 PM · #1

I've had a fire of sorts lit under me to strive to get to that next level. One of the places I think I could stand a lot of improvement is in my processing. I was wondering how one goes from seeing a "look" they like and deciding how to get there in processing?

One of my current inspirations is a local photog named Marc Adamus. I think he is quite a bit further down the road I want to travel. However, I'm a bit lost at how to get there. Anybody have ideas for topics to learn and explore to get this "look" in a landscape?

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

01/21/2009 06:32:43 PM · #2

You could always contact him and ask. :)

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

01/21/2009 06:39:19 PM · #3

He also has a Redwood Coast tour package. You could sign up and see what he does and pick his brain. I would guess alot with filters, grad ND and warming circular polarizers.

Edit for spelling atrocities

Message edited by author 2009-01-21 18:42:06.

smichener

Nikon D300

01/21/2009 06:39:55 PM · #4

Wow- he's good. I wondered about equipment then I read his statement. He did say "The images you see here have been created with a variety of professional film and digital formats over the years."

In any event interesting question. I have no idea

Ecce_Signum

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/21/2009 06:40:03 PM · #5

Originally posted by karmat:

You could always contact him and ask. :)

Yup my thoughts exactly and for $400 he will show you exactly how he does it

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/21/2009 06:40:25 PM · #6

His stuff is really good and I'm always impressed by the level of fine detail he pulls out of an image. I'd love to know.

One on one!! --i'm very tempted.

Message edited by author 2009-01-21 18:42:05.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/21/2009 06:54:02 PM · #7

I didn't see he did tours. Cool. Not that I have $400 right now and that probably rules out just asking him, but it's a neat idea.

Techo

Canon EOS-7D

01/21/2009 06:55:44 PM · #8

I don't have the link handy at the moment... did you check his deviantart page? He's left little hints here and there in his journals and in comments he's left under the shots he's posted.

pamelasue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

01/21/2009 06:58:59 PM · #9

wow ... he's got some amazing images on his site ... thanks for sharing the link, and if you figure out how to reverse engineer the processing ... please do share!

01/21/2009 07:09:34 PM · #10

Here is how he sharpens his images, it works real well. I just tried it out and it is really simple.
Here is a link.

For the link lazy...
Resize the full image to 1000-1300.
Use the sharpen filter 2-3 times.
Resize to web dimensions.
Looks real nice. :)

01/21/2009 07:13:02 PM · #11

Originally posted by Techo:

I don't have the link handy at the moment... did you check his deviantart page? He's left little hints here and there in his journals and in comments he's left under the shots he's posted.

having trouble navigating the site. A little linky help to his profile?

01/21/2009 07:14:52 PM · #12

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by Techo:
I don't have the link handy at the moment... did you check his deviantart page? He's left little hints here and there in his journals and in comments he's left under the shots he's posted.

having trouble navigating the site. A little linky help to his profile?

just google his name and deviantart

01/21/2009 07:18:52 PM · #13

Originally posted by jdannels:

This is sorta scary to me. What if the "look" of his pics is due to this? How would you duplicate it on a larger print? I utilize a similar "web only" technique of running a 640 pixel image through NI to get this really dreamy quality. When I really like it and then decide I want a print, I have trouble duplicating it exactly on a larger file.

01/21/2009 07:18:58 PM · #14

Originally posted by jdannels:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by Techo:
I don't have the link handy at the moment... did you check his deviantart page? He's left little hints here and there in his journals and in comments he's left under the shots he's posted.

having trouble navigating the site. A little linky help to his profile?

just google his name and deviantart

Duh!

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

01/21/2009 07:20:41 PM · #15

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by jdannels:
Here is how he sharpens his images, it works real well. I just tried it out and it is really simple.
Here is a link.

For the link lazy...
Resize the full image to 1000-1300.
Use the sharpen filter 2-3 times.
Resize to web dimensions.
Looks real nice. :)

This is sorta scary to me. What if the "look" of his pics is due to this? How would you duplicate it on a larger print? I utilize a similar "web only" technique of running a 640 pixel image through NI to get this really dreamy quality. When I really like it and then decide I want a print, I have trouble duplicating it exactly on a larger file.

Yeah, it gives great details for the web it seems, but not sure about prints. Would be curious to see one his prints.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

01/21/2009 09:55:45 PM · #16

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Tell me about it......

I can't get this printed out looking anything like this for love or money.....8>(

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

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

01/22/2009 04:19:04 AM · #17

Someone else here posted a link to Marc's web site a long time ago and I've been a big fan ever since. He makes spectacular images. However, I'm quite sure that he doesn't do it all with post-shot editing. I think it has more to do with being in the right place at the right time and knowing how to capture the image that he has in mind. You know, that photographer stuff. ;D No doubt he's great at post processing too, and that just makes him even better.

CEJ

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

01/22/2009 03:05:54 PM · #18

Kind of what I was thinking. Most of the images seem to have been taken when the natural light was 'just right' for the scene. I would think his shots have as much to do with diligence as post processing.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

01/22/2009 04:11:42 PM · #19

Oh I don't disagree. I just feel a bit more confident in my ability behind the camera than behind the monitor.

freakin_hilarious

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

01/22/2009 04:28:56 PM · #20

Originally posted by jdannels:

Holy crap! I just did a couple of test images (with lots of detail and local contrast), and this is vastly superior (at least to my eye) to the results I have been getting with USM or smart sharpen. Good stuff, guys, thanks for sharing!

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

01/22/2009 04:56:45 PM · #21

Originally posted by Mick:

It does look like a significant amount of right place, right time (and going back again on the wrong times and again, and again)

Most really good landscape photography is about that, no matter the format.

As for sharpening techniques and anything that uses Gaussian blur etc, all of the steps are very closely tied to output resolution (radius etc for blur or sharpening, etc) The settings change pretty dramatically for print vs web output.

ETA from his bio 'Marcâ��s style is unmistakable. His talent for rare captures of amazing light and fleeting atmosphere imbue his portfolio with a sense of the epic, majestic and the bold. His success derives from patient single-minded pursuit of all the unique moments that generate the magic and energy of the wilderness, often spending months immersing himself in the landscape he shoots despite the rigors of season and weather.'

Message edited by author 2009-01-22 16:58:31.

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/26/2009 12:12:59 AM · #22

Adamus sharpening: Resized full size file to 1300 wide, sharpen 2 times, resize to 720.

My other method-- USM, high pass, etc.