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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Basic Editing Question - Help
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 06/05/2010 11:02:46 PM · #1
Hello,

What is the best way to bring out some pop in basic editing. In advanced you can do many things...including spot burn/dodge along with differnt layer settings such as soft light etc.

Is levels and curves the only way to get the image looking good? Any tricks you want to share?

Thanks,
 06/05/2010 11:07:48 PM · #2
Originally posted by kenskid:
Hello,

What is the best way to bring out some pop in basic editing. In advanced you can do many things...including spot burn/dodge along with differnt layer settings such as soft light etc.

Is levels and curves the only way to get the image looking good? Any tricks you want to share?

Thanks,


Try using Unsharp Mask (USM) at large radius.

Settings like Amount of 25%, 50 radius, 0 threshold really can give images some added local contrast.
 06/05/2010 11:10:37 PM · #3
UnFREAKING believable ! LOL...it worked ! If someone has any ideas better than this I'll eat my camera bag.

Originally posted by bassbone:
Originally posted by kenskid:
Hello,

What is the best way to bring out some pop in basic editing. In advanced you can do many things...including spot burn/dodge along with differnt layer settings such as soft light etc.

Is levels and curves the only way to get the image looking good? Any tricks you want to share?

Thanks,


Try using Unsharp Mask (USM) at large radius.

Settings like Amount of 25%, 50 radius, 0 threshold really can give images some added local contrast.
06/06/2010 12:36:50 AM · #4
It is a great tool, and which numbers work can vary by an incredible amount (unlike regular usm sharpening) just be sure to lower the amount as you raise the radius.

Topaz enhance is a great add on to give detail and pop, but it can quickly convert your photograph into a cartoon if you use too heavy a hand.

Message edited by author 2010-06-06 01:20:21.
 06/06/2010 12:41:52 AM · #5
Originally posted by kenskid:
UnFREAKING believable ! LOL...it worked ! If someone has any ideas better than this I'll eat my camera bag.

Once I learned that, it became my preferred method of contrast adjustment. I agree on Topaz adjust as another option. It's affordable and at milder settings (such as the photo-pop preset) it is perfect for adding a little dimension to a shot.
 06/06/2010 09:55:20 AM · #6
So topez allowed in basic as long as done to entire photo?

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Originally posted by kenskid:
UnFREAKING believable ! LOL...it worked ! If someone has any ideas better than this I'll eat my camera bag.

Once I learned that, it became my preferred method of contrast adjustment. I agree on Topaz adjust as another option. It's affordable and at milder settings (such as the photo-pop preset) it is perfect for adding a little dimension to a shot.
06/06/2010 12:56:24 PM · #7
Originally posted by kenskid:
So topez allowed in basic as long as done to entire photo?

Yes, the challenge rules used to not allow such plugins in basic, but SC changed that about a year ago. The rule now is that the plugin should not be used as a "treatment". That rule is pretty loose and I have not yet seen a basic entry get DQ'd for using too much Topaz.
 06/06/2010 01:07:16 PM · #8
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
That rule is pretty loose and I have not yet seen a basic entry get DQ'd for using too much Topaz.

Using too much Topaz will likely result in a low score anyway, so using it lightly is to your advantage. It is really easy to go over-the-top though! Here's an early attempt for a side challenge.
06/06/2010 01:19:43 PM · #9
Ha...I kind of like it. Of course it woundn't replace a "real" portrait of the group but as a secondary alternative it is useful!

Originally posted by fldave:
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
That rule is pretty loose and I have not yet seen a basic entry get DQ'd for using too much Topaz.

Using too much Topaz will likely result in a low score anyway, so using it lightly is to your advantage. It is really easy to go over-the-top though! Here's an early attempt for a side challenge.
06/06/2010 01:20:23 PM · #10
Once I use Topaz is it ok in basic to pull down the opacity of the layer?

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Originally posted by kenskid:
So topez allowed in basic as long as done to entire photo?

Yes, the challenge rules used to not allow such plugins in basic, but SC changed that about a year ago. The rule now is that the plugin should not be used as a "treatment". That rule is pretty loose and I have not yet seen a basic entry get DQ'd for using too much Topaz.
06/06/2010 01:22:57 PM · #11
Originally posted by kenskid:
Once I use Topaz is it ok in basic to pull down the opacity of the layer?

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Originally posted by kenskid:
So topez allowed in basic as long as done to entire photo?

Yes, the challenge rules used to not allow such plugins in basic, but SC changed that about a year ago. The rule now is that the plugin should not be used as a "treatment". That rule is pretty loose and I have not yet seen a basic entry get DQ'd for using too much Topaz.


Are you applying Topaz to the background layer, or are you using a duplicate layer? You must apply all these processing steps on the background layer as no layers with pixel information are allowed in Basic.
 06/06/2010 01:26:06 PM · #12
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Yes, the challenge rules used to not allow such plugins in basic, but SC changed that about a year ago. The rule now is that the plugin should not be used as a "treatment". That rule is pretty loose and I have not yet seen a basic entry get DQ'd for using too much Topaz.

You have to be careful with filters like Topaz. Look at the history steps after you apply a filter or action— if the edit used layers masks, data layers or selections, it's illegal in Basic.
 06/06/2010 01:27:22 PM · #13
I'm stumped now...ok let's say on my image I"

put a levels layer
a curves layer
a saturation layer

Flattened Layers...then...

Used Topez on the new layer....is this ok?

What if I duplicated that "new" layer and then used Topez on the "new-new" top layer?

Thanks

Originally posted by bassbone:
Originally posted by kenskid:
Once I use Topaz is it ok in basic to pull down the opacity of the layer?

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Originally posted by kenskid:
So topez allowed in basic as long as done to entire photo?

Yes, the challenge rules used to not allow such plugins in basic, but SC changed that about a year ago. The rule now is that the plugin should not be used as a "treatment". That rule is pretty loose and I have not yet seen a basic entry get DQ'd for using too much Topaz.


Are you applying Topaz to the background layer, or are you using a duplicate layer? You must apply all these processing steps on the background layer as no layers with pixel information are allowed in Basic.
06/06/2010 01:31:42 PM · #14
My history shows exactly what I did. When I applied Topez the history simply says "Topez Adjust 3".

Would it say layers masks...data layers etc?

Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Yes, the challenge rules used to not allow such plugins in basic, but SC changed that about a year ago. The rule now is that the plugin should not be used as a "treatment". That rule is pretty loose and I have not yet seen a basic entry get DQ'd for using too much Topaz.

You have to be careful with filters like Topaz. Look at the history steps after you apply a filter or action— if the edit used layers masks, data layers or selections, it's illegal in Basic.
06/06/2010 01:34:25 PM · #15
Sounds like you are fine.
 06/06/2010 01:38:21 PM · #16
This photo is coming out nice. Not because of all the PS adjustments but because I started with a well lit subject. I'm starting to realize that my two speedlights off camera are giving me a much better photo to start with. Now instead of PS getting me to an average shot from a poor shot....it seems to be getting me to a very good shot from a good shot !

There is no way that I could have created the image I'm working on with an on cam single flash.

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Sounds like you are fine.
06/06/2010 01:39:12 PM · #17
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Yes, the challenge rules used to not allow such plugins in basic, but SC changed that about a year ago. The rule now is that the plugin should not be used as a "treatment". That rule is pretty loose and I have not yet seen a basic entry get DQ'd for using too much Topaz.

You have to be careful with filters like Topaz. Look at the history steps after you apply a filter or action— if the edit used layers masks, data layers or selections, it's illegal in Basic.


Only "actions" list those steps in History as far as I know; filters just show that the filter was applied. That the case with all my 3rd-party filters, anyway...

R.
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