Official Get rid of basic editing petition thread

10/20/2011 08:27:12 PM · #76

Originally posted by dtremain:

Originally posted by jmlelii:
WTF is topaz lol

A whole collection of editing tools from Topaz Labs. Typically, I think most of the posts are referring to Topaz Adjust, but the B&W Effects and Denoise are also quite useful.

Thanks. That super slick glassy look is finally explained. Love it, but there's no way this should be allowed in anything less than "Advanced" editing.

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

10/20/2011 08:38:30 PM · #77

Originally posted by Brent_S:

Maybe there was a time for basic editing years ago to allow those new to image editing a better chance in challenges. But nowadays anyone who doesn't know how to do simple things like, clone, dodge, burn, selective sharpen, etc. can learn how to do them from free tutorials on the web. There are thousands of these tutorials available that can get anyone up to speed very fast! It really does not make sense to hold back the many because the few can't be bothered to watch a few free tutorials. Especially when people are allowed to Topaz images into oblivion under the present basic rule set anyway!

Can't be bothered?!?!?!

And for those of us in Australia where Adobe charge $1168 (One Thousand One Hundred and Sixty Eight dollars) for Photoshop. Are we supposed to be excluded because we're not professionals who can afford to drop that kind of cash on PS because it's a business expense? Which then brings the Topaz filters in. I love the look they give, but they're dependent on having PS...

Removing more of the basic editing challenges is like saying this site should only be open to photo's submitted by professional photographers and designers. Or the independently wealthy.

Message edited by author 2011-10-20 20:39:15.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

10/20/2011 08:40:31 PM · #78

Originally posted by dmsmith:

Originally posted by dtremain:

Originally posted by jmlelii:
WTF is topaz lol

A whole collection of editing tools from Topaz Labs. Typically, I think most of the posts are referring to Topaz Adjust, but the B&W Effects and Denoise are also quite useful.

Thanks. That super slick glassy look is finally explained. Love it, but there's no way this should be allowed in anything less than "Advanced" editing.

That's a really uninformed opinion, isn't it? Topaz Infocus is great for sharpening. No super slick glassy look about it. Topaz DeNoise is no different than Neat Image or any of the other noise programs. No super slick glassy look there either. Topaz Detail is perfect for bringing out details. Again... no super glassy look. You might want to actually try a product out before you trash it.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

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

10/20/2011 08:43:34 PM · #79

Originally posted by Kelli:

Originally posted by dmsmith:

Originally posted by dtremain:

Originally posted by jmlelii:
WTF is topaz lol

A whole collection of editing tools from Topaz Labs. Typically, I think most of the posts are referring to Topaz Adjust, but the B&W Effects and Denoise are also quite useful.

Thanks. That super slick glassy look is finally explained. Love it, but there's no way this should be allowed in anything less than "Advanced" editing.

That's a really uninformed opinion, isn't it? Topaz Infocus is great for sharpening. No super slick glassy look about it. Topaz DeNoise is no different than Neat Image or any of the other noise programs. No super slick glassy look there either. Topaz Detail is perfect for bringing out details. Again... no super glassy look. You might want to actually try a product out before you trash it.

eta: And Topaz isn't just for full photoshop. It works on Elements and Corel's PSP, both of which should be affordable in any country.

10/20/2011 08:44:18 PM · #80

Originally posted by Kelli:

Err... didn't I say I love it? How about reading the full sentence before trashing it? ;) I said it shouldn't be allowed in anything less than "Advanced"... i.e. it shouldn't be allowable in a "Basic" editing challenge.

sinistral_leo

Nikon D5100

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

10/20/2011 08:47:54 PM · #81

Originally posted by dmsmith:

And for those of us in Australia where Adobe charge $1168 (One Thousand One Hundred and Sixty Eight dollars) for Photoshop. Are we supposed to be excluded because we're not professionals who can afford to drop that kind of cash on PS because it's a business expense? Which then brings the Topaz filters in. I love the look they give, but they're dependent on having PS...

Removing more of the basic editing challenges is like saying this site should only be open to photo's submitted by professional photographers and designers. Or the independently wealthy.

You can run GIMP for free and run Topaz independently.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

10/20/2011 08:48:38 PM · #82

Originally posted by dmsmith:

Originally posted by Kelli:

Originally posted by dmsmith:

Originally posted by dtremain:

Originally posted by jmlelii:
WTF is topaz lol

A whole collection of editing tools from Topaz Labs. Typically, I think most of the posts are referring to Topaz Adjust, but the B&W Effects and Denoise are also quite useful.

Thanks. That super slick glassy look is finally explained. Love it, but there's no way this should be allowed in anything less than "Advanced" editing.

That's a really uninformed opinion, isn't it? Topaz Infocus is great for sharpening. No super slick glassy look about it. Topaz DeNoise is no different than Neat Image or any of the other noise programs. No super slick glassy look there either. Topaz Detail is perfect for bringing out details. Again... no super glassy look. You might want to actually try a product out before you trash it.

Err... didn't I say I love it? How about reading the full sentence before trashing it? ;) I said it shouldn't be allowed in anything less than "Advanced"... i.e. it shouldn't be allowable in a "Basic" editing challenge.

But I'm asking why not. What's your reasoning? Should NI be excluded? Any noise reduction programs? What about Topaz b&w? Should all b&w conversions be banned except for advanced unless it's a straight desat? It's not the programs you should have a problem with, it's how they're used. Banning products made for photography on a photography site is stupid.

10/20/2011 08:53:28 PM · #83

Originally posted by sinistral_leo:

Originally posted by dmsmith:
And for those of us in Australia where Adobe charge $1168 (One Thousand One Hundred and Sixty Eight dollars) for Photoshop. Are we supposed to be excluded because we're not professionals who can afford to drop that kind of cash on PS because it's a business expense? Which then brings the Topaz filters in. I love the look they give, but they're dependent on having PS...

Removing more of the basic editing challenges is like saying this site should only be open to photo's submitted by professional photographers and designers. Or the independently wealthy.

You can run GIMP for free and run Topaz independently.

Has GIMP finally passed their 8bit colour depth limitation? I haven't checked it in quite some time.

sinistral_leo

Nikon D5100

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

10/20/2011 09:00:50 PM · #84

Originally posted by dmsmith:

Has GIMP finally passed their 8bit colour depth limitation? I haven't checked it in quite some time.

Hmmm, Good point. Looks like GIMP 3.0 will, but not the current version (2.6)

however //www.cinepaint.org/ does. ;-)

bvy

Sigma DP1x

10/20/2011 09:03:58 PM · #85

Originally posted by dmsmith:

Has GIMP finally passed their 8bit colour depth limitation? I haven't checked it in quite some time.

I don't think so. That's promised in GIMP 3.0 (current version is 2.7.x). Might not see it in our lifetimes...

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/20/2011 09:05:50 PM · #86

i see some posts about having to buy photoshop, there are tons of low price photo editors, older editions of Photoshops elements for one is very powerful, and really you could use it for expert editing. Even lightroom which many of us have has spot editing tools which are illegal in basic, or silvereffex has illegal tools, im sure aperture does too. heck i'd be surprised if the software that comes with yuor camera doesnt have illegal in basic tools.

Message edited by author 2011-10-20 21:07:08.

10/20/2011 09:13:25 PM · #87

Originally posted by Kelli:

Originally posted by dmsmith:
Err... didn't I say I love it? How about reading the full sentence before trashing it? ;) I said it shouldn't be allowed in anything less than "Advanced"... i.e. it shouldn't be allowable in a "Basic" editing challenge.

But I'm asking why not. What's your reasoning? Should NI be excluded? Any noise reduction programs? What about Topaz b&w? Should all b&w conversions be banned except for advanced unless it's a straight desat? It's not the programs you should have a problem with, it's how they're used. Banning products made for photography on a photography site is stupid.

Let me put it another way. Would you consider what some of these filters do to be "effects"? I agree that some are certainly "image integrity" and are fine, my bad for not being more specific previously. But how many can you honestly say fit the "basic" rule set? Using the B&W example you cited (from the Topaz web site):

The most versatile conversion tool for B&W enhancement
Extensive library with over 200 presets simulating traditional and alternative B&W processes
Intuitive 5-in-1 selective brush for easy localized adjustments
True grain library with popular film types
Adaptive Exposure tools for ultimate contrast control and essential tonal balance
Stylized effects for painterly looks, posterization & more

From the above I'd have to say it's really border line for that passing in to effects filter territory. Don't get me wrong, I think they're fantastic tools and I can't wait to get hold of them and play. But "basic" editing?

Message edited by author 2011-10-20 21:16:23.

sinistral_leo

Nikon D5100

Pentax DA 16-45mm f/4.0 ED AL AF

10/20/2011 09:17:21 PM · #88

Originally posted by dmsmith:

From the above I'd have to say it's really border line for that passing in to effects filter territory. Don't get me wrong, I think they're fantastic tools and I can't wait to get hold of them and play. But "basic" editing?

Nothing saying you have to use those filters/effects. There are many other uses within the said program. Just like you can do advanced editing from within some cameras, doesn't mean you have to. Not to mention, just because the challenge is advanced editing or expert do you have to do anything more than Minimal.

alohadave

Pentax K-5

10/20/2011 09:37:39 PM · #89

Originally posted by dmsmith:

Originally posted by Brent_S:
Maybe there was a time for basic editing years ago to allow those new to image editing a better chance in challenges. But nowadays anyone who doesn't know how to do simple things like, clone, dodge, burn, selective sharpen, etc. can learn how to do them from free tutorials on the web. There are thousands of these tutorials available that can get anyone up to speed very fast! It really does not make sense to hold back the many because the few can't be bothered to watch a few free tutorials. Especially when people are allowed to Topaz images into oblivion under the present basic rule set anyway!

Can't be bothered?!?!?!

And for those of us in Australia where Adobe charge $1168 (One Thousand One Hundred and Sixty Eight dollars) for Photoshop. Are we supposed to be excluded because we're not professionals who can afford to drop that kind of cash on PS because it's a business expense? Which then brings the Topaz filters in. I love the look they give, but they're dependent on having PS...

Removing more of the basic editing challenges is like saying this site should only be open to photo's submitted by professional photographers and designers. Or the independently wealthy.

Photoshop is not the only image editing software available (even in Australia).

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

10/20/2011 09:51:45 PM · #90

Originally posted by dmsmith:

Which then brings the Topaz filters in. I love the look they give, but they're dependent on having PS...

Umm, nope. I use them with Corel PaintShop Pro (Which cost me all of $40 USD) and they work just fine.

Message edited by author 2011-10-20 21:52:07.

10/20/2011 10:01:12 PM · #91

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by dmsmith:
Which then brings the Topaz filters in. I love the look they give, but they're dependent on having PS...

Umm, nope. I use them with Corel PaintShop Pro (Which cost me all of $40 USD) and they work just fine.

Yeah, I found the Topaz Fusion tool on their site. That's what lead me to note in another post that I can't wait to get hold of them and play :)

snaffles

Nikon D7100