Why The Freak does everything think

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

11/23/2009 08:09:43 AM · #1

They need to turn their picture into an HDR image???

Okay I'm sorry to say it but I'm getting tired of seeing people using Topaz or an HDR program to try and turn some crappy boring picture into something it will never be.

Don't get me wrong an HDR picture (if it's the right picture) looks good but when you take a snapshot of something you put 0% of thought into don't think that you will win a ribbon just because you made it into an HDR.

Edited to ~~say~~ quote
I hate the way more and more people seem to be resorting to over-the-top processing techniques in an attempt to turn boring images into something exciting. I wish they'd put half as much effort into taking exciting images in the first place.

Message edited by author 2009-11-23 17:24:01.

Yo_Spiff

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

11/23/2009 08:47:51 AM · #2

Oh, come on. Topaz is fun. It turns crap into fine art.

Added: Really, it is just a tool like any other, and one needs to learn when and how to use it effectively. Developing that finer judgment takes some experience and there is only one way to get experience.

Message edited by author 2009-11-23 08:51:00.

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

11/23/2009 09:01:55 AM · #3

I'll have to side with Mr. Dirt on this one.

AJSullivan

11/23/2009 09:10:03 AM · #4

Topaz adjust was designed to be used on every image, all the time. Topaz is becoming the new selective desaturation of photography. Overused and abused.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

11/23/2009 09:31:37 AM · #5

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Oh, come on. Topaz ~~is fun. It~~ turns crap into ~~fine art.~~ HDR CRAP

EXACTLY!

Message edited by author 2009-11-23 09:33:10.

Yo_Spiff

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

11/23/2009 09:52:30 AM · #6

Sheesh! If you read it carefully, I was actually agreeing with you. In modest amounts, however, it is a useful tool. Yes it is subject to abuse, just like any other treatment. It's also a matter of personal taste, just like anything else.

While we are on this crusade, can we do away with flowers sprayed with water droplets ?

Pentax D-FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW

11/23/2009 09:54:40 AM · #7

I know you were, I wasn't saying that you weren't I was just making post "better" hahha

K3Master

Pentax K-3

11/23/2009 10:28:41 AM · #8

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

While we are on this crusade, can we do away with flowers sprayed with water droplets ?

Also:

Neat Image
Recognizable Models
Frogs
Birds of Prey staring at you
Static Stock Photography
Scarves
Beach scenes at sunset or sunrise
Sunsets and Sunrises period

Feel free to add your own.

There's always something to complain about. If the day ever comes when those nice little artsy photos we are always giving acclaim and kudos to in the 'other' threads ever actually started winning ribbons hand-over-fist, we'd start complaining about THOSE too.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

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

11/23/2009 10:31:40 AM · #9

Originally posted by K10DGuy:

If the day ever comes when those nice little artsy photos we are always giving acclaim and kudos to in the 'other' threads ever actually started winning ribbons hand-over-fist, we'd start complaining about THOSE too.

Yup.

Zigomar

Fujifilm X100T

Lensbaby 2.0

11/23/2009 10:34:43 AM · #10

Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:

...when you take a snapshot of something you put 0% of thought into don't think that you will win a ribbon just because you made it into an HDR.

Looks like you will...

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

11/23/2009 10:46:48 AM · #11

Originally posted by Zigomar:

Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:
...when you take a snapshot of something you put 0% of thought into don't think that you will win a ribbon just because you made it into an HDR.

Looks like you will...

What does that mean?

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

11/23/2009 10:55:24 AM · #12

Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:

I know you were, I wasn't saying that you weren't I was just making post "better" hahha

You mean you "Topazed" it?

11/23/2009 10:58:44 AM · #13

Originally posted by trevytrev:

Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:
I know you were, I wasn't saying that you weren't I was just making post "better" hahha

You mean you "Topazed" it?

LMFAO, Yeah I Topazed it!
Note, my new sig

Message edited by author 2009-11-23 11:00:48.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

11/23/2009 11:05:13 AM · #14

Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:

Okay I'm sorry to say it but I'm getting tired of seeing people using Topaz or an HDR program to try and turn some crappy boring picture into something it will never be.

Don't get me wrong an HDR picture (if it's the right picture) looks good but when you take a snapshot of something you put 0% of thought into don't think that you will win a ribbon just because you made it into an HDR.

Isn't it just stellar used properly, though?......8>)

Hey, do this.....tell me whether you like these or not, and whether you would do the same editing.....

They both got ribbons, so you don't have to worry about bruising my ego, go for it honestly.

What would you like to see different about them, especially as it relates to aesthetic and/or technical aspects?

I love Topaz, occasionally use Noise Ninja, and love various special effects filters in PS.

I have yet to learn how to do HDR, but I will over-use it when I first learn, no doubt.

I think that's prolly the biggest thing is that one has a tendency to go overboard with it until the novelty wears off a little.......

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

11/23/2009 11:15:05 AM · #15

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Hey, do this.....tell me ... whether you would do the same editing.....

A look at the originals would be helpful in answering this question - yes/no?

Louis

Nikon D800

11/23/2009 11:17:38 AM · #16

Originally posted by K10DGuy:

Feel free to add your own.

Crayons, curled paper, and water drops. :P

11/23/2009 11:27:59 AM · #17

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Hey, do this.....tell me whether you like these or not, and whether you would do the same editing.....

In my eyes this works for this image,

although I don't see image grain. Which is what the challenge was for. What I do see is dust on the steering wheel and
Topaz does bring it out but there is more to this picture than topaz. You have a really good angle here which displays the age of the dashboard and everything else around it. You filled the frame nicely to minimize distractions and the flow at which the gauge cluster draws the viewers eyes to the steering wheel is pleasant. If I had to say anything bad about this image it would be stupid of me because it is a wonderful image. However you could have edited this image without Topaz and I think it would have still done very well.

As far as this image,

I honestly don't know how it won a ribbon. Not being rude or anything but "I" think you abused neat image to the point where the program said "Please no more!". I would NOT have edited this image the same but it's really hard to say how I would have. I don't know what else is around the area and I don't know what is on the other side of the window besides another window. But this is what makes photographers so different. Not everyone has the same point of view but some photographers make it work while some just snap a shot.

Don't get me wrong though, I like the occasional HDR image from time to time but it needs to be the right image. I was simply stating that people are over using Topaz Adjust and it really brings the quality of other images down. Granted it does sometimes make the image better but so does planning, lighting, subject matter, and the photographer. I guess that's what really sets photographers apart from people with a camera but then again this is all just my own personal opinion.

Message edited by author 2009-11-23 11:30:46.

Pentax D-FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW

11/23/2009 11:29:27 AM · #18

Originally posted by K10DGuy:

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

While we are on this crusade, can we do away with flowers sprayed with water droplets ?

Also:

Neat Image
Recognizable Models
Frogs
Birds of Prey staring at you
Static Stock Photography
Scarves
Beach scenes at sunset or sunrise
Sunsets and Sunrises period

Feel free to add your own.

There's always something to complain about. If the day ever comes when those nice little artsy photos we are always giving acclaim and kudos to in the 'other' threads ever actually started winning ribbons hand-over-fist, we'd start complaining about THOSE too.

Originally posted by Louis:

Crayons, curled paper, and water drops. :P

We should RETIRE this subjects. Put them away and never use them again.

K3Master

Pentax K-3

11/23/2009 11:31:27 AM · #19

Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:

Originally posted by K10DGuy:

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

While we are on this crusade, can we do away with flowers sprayed with water droplets ?

Also:

Neat Image
Recognizable Models
Frogs
Birds of Prey staring at you
Static Stock Photography
Scarves
Beach scenes at sunset or sunrise
Sunsets and Sunrises period

Feel free to add your own.

There's always something to complain about. If the day ever comes when those nice little artsy photos we are always giving acclaim and kudos to in the 'other' threads ever actually started winning ribbons hand-over-fist, we'd start complaining about THOSE too.

Originally posted by Louis:

Crayons, curled paper, and water drops. :P

We should RETIRE this subjects. Put them away and never use them again.

It's nice to see that you can be reasonable and realistic :D

11/23/2009 11:32:55 AM · #20

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Hey, do this.....tell me ... whether you would do the same editing.....

Originally posted by glad2badad:

A look at the originals would be helpful in answering this question - yes/no?

My thoughts are that since I openly stated that I used Topaz on them that if there are issues, then define them.

I would be happy to provide originals, but I'd kind of like to hear specifics as to what's objectionable rather than just, "You Topazzed 'em, so they suck."......LOL!!!

F'rinstance.......this one really just mostly has the detail/sharpness enhanced to bring out the grain & textures......specifically for the theme.

But I also shot it @ 1600 ISO for that reason, too.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

11/23/2009 12:01:30 PM · #21

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Originally posted by NikonJeb:
Hey, do this.....tell me ... whether you would do the same editing.....

A look at the originals would be helpful in answering this question - yes/no?

I just thought that perhaps an entirely different approach and end result may have been delivered - or not. Topaz may have been the best choice, but without knowing what you started with it's hard to say.

No big deal really. Guess I misread your question.

11/23/2009 12:08:01 PM · #22

Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:

In my eyes this works for this image,

Done!......8>)

Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:

As far as this image,
I honestly don't know how it won a ribbon. Not being rude or anything but "I" think you abused neat image to the point where the program said "Please no more!".

LOL!!! I knmow what & why you're saying that, but I don't have Neat Image! I didn't use Noise Ninja, either. Everything that was done with that one was with Topaz Adjust.

I like the way it came out, yet I understand why the smoothing of what we know to be fairly heavily weathered brick appears to be surreal.

Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:

I would NOT have edited this image the same but it's really hard to say how I would have. I don't know what else is around the area and I don't know what is on the other side of the window besides another window. But this is what makes photographers so different. Not everyone has the same point of view but some photographers make it work while some just snap a shot.

I'm at work, but I can put up a copy that's not edited and make it big enough to grab and edit if you like when I get home.

One thing I did which I think contributes to teh effect is that I leaned heavily into cooler temps to boost that blue cast, plau the Topaz has a tendency to flatten saturation, which I like as it applies to the grungy and dilapidated stuff I like.

Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:

Don't get me wrong though, I like the occasional HDR image from time to time but it needs to be the right image. I was simply stating that people are over using Topaz Adjust and it really brings the quality of other images down. Granted it does sometimes make the image better but so does planning, lighting, subject matter, and the photographer. I guess that's what really sets photographers apart from people with a camera but then again this is all just my own personal opinion.

I'll be curious to see what you think of the image in its original form.

I was very happy with the composition of it, and I don't think that the Topaz had any bearing on that......I think it enhanced it.

Obviously, I'm biased to Topaz, which is why I'm happy to use myself as a gineau pig.

I'm also open to new, or well presented old ideas as well simply because I have *no* formal training, so if you have suggestions, bring 'em on, by all means!