Hedcut Challenge Suggestion - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

03/20/2007 08:12:11 AM · #1

How about a challenge utilizing the hedcut processing technique.

Color or B&W. I think this would be a good technical challenge.

Thoughts?

Nikon D200

03/20/2007 08:22:25 AM · #2

I played with that technique once. :)

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

03/20/2007 08:28:53 AM · #3

Nice, what was your processing scheme? I did a quick one last night, but didn't take nearly the time you did on that.

Originally posted by L2:

I played with that technique once. :)

Message edited by author 2007-03-20 08:29:17.

CEJ

Canon EOS-40D

03/20/2007 09:52:53 AM · #4

I don't get how this is a 'good technical' challenge. It is an exercise in post-processing, not photo capture or camera ability.

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

03/20/2007 10:48:34 AM · #5

Originally posted by CEJ:

I don't get how this is a 'good technical' challenge. It is an exercise in post-processing, not photo capture or camera ability.

I agree.

From the linked url in the OP:
"Hedcut is a style of drawing, primarily of people, pioneered and used by The Wall Street Journal. The drawings are traditionally 18 by 31 Picas (3" by 5.167"), and use the stipple method of many small dots to create an image. They are designed to emulate the look of woodcuts from old-style newspapers, and engravings on certificates and currency."

KarenNfld

03/20/2007 11:28:21 AM · #6

Originally posted by CEJ:

I don't get how this is a 'good technical' challenge. It is an exercise in post-processing, not photo capture or camera ability.

I agree....this is a challenge for Worth1000, not DPC!

CEJ

Canon EOS-40D

03/20/2007 12:33:59 PM · #7

Home for lunch now and was curious (unfortunately I have no 'people' shots to demonstrate right now) so I booted PI, loaded an image, and sure enough, one of the Flaming Pear plug-ins I have does a fairly decent job of recreating this effect. A quick edit of my Red image wasn't bad. The plug-in is the India Ink one. I used 'diffusion' as the pattern and tweaked around to see if it will do this.

Although I worked a color version, I also converted to 16 bit grayscale and the effect was even better - closer to the genuine look. If I have time tonight I will work up an example maybe.

A ways off topic - this plug-in also creates great layers for use as textures in merged pics - like the grunge look and such. And since you can use your original image (new layer), with a slight offset before final merge you can achieve some really dramatic effects.

EDIT: Corrected plug-in name

Message edited by author 2007-03-20 16:44:55.

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

03/20/2007 04:19:40 PM · #8

Are you kidding? It has as much technical merit as a B&W photo challenge, or color challenge. You can't just take any ole photo and process it for a hedcut and have it look good. Take a look at portfolios on the web, you'll see what I mean.

Selective color masking is a PP technique, but doesn't work in every photo. Likewise for hedcut.

In addition, given the fact that I couldn't find any mention of hedcut in the forums, lead me to believe that this is a widely unknown technique that may have interesting results in a challenge.

Originally posted by CEJ:

I don't get how this is a 'good technical' challenge. It is an exercise in post-processing, not photo capture or camera ability.

CEJ

Canon EOS-40D

03/20/2007 04:25:03 PM · #9

No, I was not kidding and apparently I wasn't the only one who shared that opinion. It is still a function of post processing and not a technical challenge. ANY portrait or picture CAN be made to look like that. It does not mean it looks good. It takes no skill with your camera, just knowledge of post processing.

The two methods I have for doing this and having them look correct are not legal except under Expert rules. The method I described above was an attempt to see if there was a legal method for Advanced. Definitely not Basic legal.

I understand your line of thinking as to do this effectively you would need a certain kind of image to begin with. But it is still a function of the post processing to achieve the effect as it certainly can not be done in camera.

Also, I think it is well known...but as a drawing technique and not a photographic one. Because that is what it is.

Message edited by author 2007-03-20 16:47:57.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

03/20/2007 04:46:13 PM · #10

Wow, the thought police are out in force.

03/20/2007 04:48:45 PM · #11

Originally posted by Mr_Pants:

Wow, the thought police are out in force.

It's not unusual to discuss a challenge suggestion, either for or against.

Do you have a position or thoughts about this particular challenge suggestion? If yes, please feel free to share them.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

03/20/2007 04:55:14 PM · #12

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Originally posted by Mr_Pants:
Wow, the thought police are out in force.

It's not unusual to discuss a challenge suggestion, either for or against.

Do you have a position or thoughts about this particular challenge suggestion? If yes, please feel free to share them.

I'm against the condemnation of a particular style of processing, just because the commenter feels that it is not 'photography' any more. Once one has post-processed an image, a boundary has been crossed. Who, then, is to be the final arbiter of how much processing is 'allowed'? IMO, there is too much garbage spoken on this issue. To me, the final image is everything (challenge entries excepted, I fully accept and that these are made under specific rules and, indeed, welcome that).

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

03/20/2007 05:03:16 PM · #13

Originally posted by Mr_Pants:

Originally posted by glad2badad:

Originally posted by Mr_Pants:
Wow, the thought police are out in force.

It's not unusual to discuss a challenge suggestion, either for or against.

Do you have a position or thoughts about this particular challenge suggestion? If yes, please feel free to share them.

I'm against the condemnation of a particular style of processing, just because the commenter feels that it is not 'photography' any more. Once one has post-processed an image, a boundary has been crossed. Who, then, is to be the final arbiter of how much processing is 'allowed'? IMO, there is too much garbage spoken on this issue. To me, the final image is everything (challenge entries excepted, I fully accept and that these are made under specific rules and, indeed, welcome that).

Cool, I understand where you're coming from mostly.

I think those that have spoken against this challenge (at least I can speak for myself) feel that the proposed challenge is more about a very specific (unique) post-processing procedure/end result than it is about photography.

Yes, post-processing plays a role in many challenges, but not to this very limited degree.

There may be some that have interest in this. If so, go for it. My guess is that there isn't a large audience for this Hedcut processing, at least in a challenge format.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

03/20/2007 05:08:00 PM · #14

Originally posted by glad2badad:

My guess is that there isn't a large audience for this Hedcut processing...

Just like there isn't a large audience for any of my pictures:)

That, sadly, is due to my incompetence with a camera, though.

Sometimes, though, rather like HDR shots, the selection and taking of the base photograph is an art in itself. Sort of like providing the right feedstock, so it makes for its own, unique, challenge. Sort of...

Message edited by author 2007-03-20 17:10:23.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/20/2007 05:28:45 PM · #15

It wouldn't be the first challenge that focused on non-camera techniques nor would it be the last. Heck this challenge has more to do with photography that the Bond, James Bond challenge. Post processing isn't a curse word so why the constant gasps whenever it's brought up?

03/20/2007 05:36:32 PM · #16

Originally posted by yanko:

... Heck this challenge has more to do with photography that the Bond, James Bond challenge. ...

??? Huh ??? The majority of challenges here are theme based. Pick a subject and capture an image that relates to the subject. While I wasn't particularly fond of the James Bond challenge myself (not a fan), it WAS a photography challenge, not a PP challenge as presented here.

ETA - The point made by Mr_Pants was more in-line when he made reference to the HDR challenge. That was heavily PP based, but still allowed a range of images that worked for it.

Message edited by author 2007-03-20 17:38:06.