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06/06/2012 05:42:31 PM · #1 |
Silver Efex Pro that is :) I am in the process of editing some stock shots and find myself going to the same preset time and time again. I know many of you have custom presets that you have made I have some of those as well that I use quite often. But I am just curious if there is a preset you use in SEP more often than any other?
Mine is: #5 High Structure Harsh.
Message edited by author 2012-06-06 17:43:23. |
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06/06/2012 05:44:39 PM · #2 |
For nature photography, I used to use the fine arts high key setting on the luminosity blend and reduced opacity. It had the effect of bringing out the details, and toning down the highlights while bringing up the shadows.
I used to do it on the majority of my shots. (thought I'd usually mess around with the sliders for increase whites & blacks.
Message edited by author 2012-06-06 17:45:13.
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06/06/2012 09:02:32 PM · #3 |
I run each image through all presets (every time) to see what gives.
I am only looking for a suitable starting point, nothing final at all.
Next, I want to match whatever I have pre-visualized by running the whole gamut of adjustments (roughly at first), paying particular attention to channels.
This will either lead me to arrive at a workable aesthetic or it may challenge it, in which I case I explore something I did not know before.
Either way, I will follow it by fine-tuning fastidiously, again the whole gamut of controls or, at least, most of them.
I rarely save any customized presets.
I regard them as cookie-cutter 'stencils' and feel, it is lazy and counter-intuitive to rely on them.
To me, not the preset but the image is king, ergo the effort to match its unique dictate.
..but then, I do not do stock or think about selling images, while I make them, either. :)
Message edited by author 2012-06-06 21:06:58. |
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06/06/2012 09:18:18 PM · #4 |
I tend to prefer my own saved presets over the built ins. I most often use one that I have called "Mr. Bill", because I saved the setting while I was working on this shot:
It seems to provide a starting point with a nice tonal range for portraits.
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06/06/2012 10:10:22 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by zeuszen:
I run each image through all presets (every time) to see what gives.
......
I rarely save any customized presets.
I regard them as cookie-cutter 'stencils' and feel, it is lazy and counter-intuitive to rely on them.
To me, not the preset but the image is king, ergo the effort to match its unique dictate. |
I practically never use the stock presets, even as starting points, any longer. I have an extensive library of custom presets that give me the same sort of starting point you use the stock presets for.
I'll almost never use one of my custom presets without tweaking most of the settings, so basically we're both doing pretty much the same thing. The preset is a starting point, but each individual image will arrive at a different destination when the journey's completed.
R.
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06/06/2012 10:15:57 PM · #6 |
| ZZ said it better than I could. |
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06/07/2012 12:31:21 AM · #7 |
I used to use the high structure harsh most often, but never "as is" I always tweaked it to taste. Now I tend to use one of
my own presets as a starting point, Normally I make adjustments to the settings.
Message edited by author 2012-06-07 00:51:58. |
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06/07/2012 12:48:22 AM · #8 |
| I have a dozen or so custom presets that I start with, usually dependent on the subject and lens/technique used for the image. I agree with Robert, it's a blended approach with Zs perspective. Can't recall the last time I even looked at the standard presets. Fantastic software. |
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06/07/2012 12:51:06 AM · #9 |
| I use Ben's presets. :-) He sent me two or three. No, seriously, I start with the flat neutral to see if I like B&W. Then I may try something else, or just tweak the neutral setting. |
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06/07/2012 12:53:44 AM · #10 |
Z, you may find that a given finished image is worth saving as a preset. Obviously control points do not play a roll in the presets, but when you come across a subject and light reminiscent of a past image, you now have one more option to start from. It's only cookie cutter if you click your custom preset followed by save. Also, it does help if you won't want to batch convert a set of images to a similar tonal range and final toning, etc.
Message edited by author 2012-06-07 00:54:59. |
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06/07/2012 01:22:31 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by bspurgeon:
Z, you may find that a given finished image is worth saving as a preset.. |
Yes, I agree. This is, or was, my way of being lazy'. :) |
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06/07/2012 01:26:10 AM · #12 |
| So just curious how do you make your own presets? |
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06/07/2012 05:47:54 AM · #13 |
At the bottom left, you'll see the button to Add Style. Also, if you were to scroll all the way to the bottom of the basic presets, you'll see an empty + box that you can click on to create your own.
Admittedly, they are useful for batches, but I rarely do that and much prefer ZZ's experimental approach. I've ended up with serendipitous results that way that were very different from what I had original pictured. This is particularly true with the Color Filters and toning. |
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