la rose artificielle

[kev7d]

This object was sat on the table of a hotel room in Mons. 

 

[kev7d]

Thanks for the like.  

[FUJI]

I don't know how you do it Kev, but your post processing is something different, it ozzes quality and finish that I don't seem to be able to achieve.....

'I can't recall........Have you shared your secrets on here previously?

Do I remember right that you use Lightroom?   could I achieve similar results by using PS CS6?.....not to copy you, but to experiment around the methods.

FUJI

[Denis]

Hmm, something i would like to know if done in lightroom, I cant do tutorials, I seem to stumble upon things I can do in lightroom by accident!

[kev7d]

FUJI / Denis

For this kind of stuff I tend to do some work on the RAW in Lightroom or PS. I think this is likely the usual stuff. Setting white / black points, tweaking white balance etc. For the shot above I then used a mix of NIK Colour efex pro filters to just tune in to what I think looks good. This can amount to 10 different filters all giving a slight change but collectively they add up to something appealing.  I would be lying if I could tell you exactly which ones as I tend to work from scratch. Sometimes I will not use NIK and play with Topaz in a similar random way. Every shot needs a different treatment in my opinion. 

This one had a very similar approach using a mix of NIK and Topaz in the workflow:

  

I like to try an add a degree of "art" to this type of image but keeping it real too. I will often park something up for days if it is not working out and return and start again. I will be happy to keep a note of what I do the next time I tackle this kind of image.    I do literally just make it up as I go along. Good light on the subject always is a factor.

[Denis]

Thanks Kev,

I do have the Nik addons but not experimented with them much yet.

[kev7d]

9 hours ago, Denis said:

Thanks Kev,

I do have the Nik addons but not experimented with them much yet.

I use NIK and Topaz on some images. The trick is to use them lightly in my opinion, Topaz in particular. I always consider feedback. I may not always agree with another's opinion but I consider all comments. I try and use the feedback to improve as I am always learning. I think this is probably more important than anything. If I get no feedback on an image, it is harder to improve what I do?  I think it is so important to tell someone what you like and what you don't like in an image.

[Denis]

I have read a few things about Topaz on here, no idea what that is. It is not amongst the menu's on Lightroom or the Nik add ons that I can see.

I would like to see a section on here on how to do things in laymans terms, Some of the Adobe Lightroom tutorials leave me cold when I watch them. I dont use photoshop.. and terms like 'dodge' and 'burn' that some here use in posts has no meaning to me whatsoever!

[kev7d]

I know what you mean. I have spent several years learning about PS and still have loads to learn. This education has not been without its headaches.

Topaz can be used as plugins for both LR and PS. Whilst I like NIK the Topaz software is even better in my opinion. But it is very easy to go over the top with it.  NIK and Topaz, whilst being simpler to use than PS, they both need practise to get the best out of them. Moderation is also required.

[ChrisLumix]

Topaz is a separate set of add-ons made by a different manufacturer to Nik (which is Google). Nik Efex are now free, but Topaz are still fairly costly. To be honest, they could start to lose some custom with the free Nik stuff, as there probably isn't so very much that Topaz can do that Nik can't.

[kev7d]

I am not sure I agree with you Chris. Topaz wins for me.  

[ChrisLumix]

Fair do's. But I tell you this, I could be exploring Nik forever and never get to the end of it. There's an infinite number of 'recipes' you can create.

[kev7d]

Again, I guess it personal choice Chris. What I do know is that I like to use both and have never stopped using one in favour of the other. The user has some excellent tools with either of them.  

[CanonChrissy]

I really like the subtlety of the image kev. Soft gentle and a little sad

[kev7d]

23 minutes ago, CanonChrissy said:

I really like the subtlety of the image kev. Soft gentle and a little sad

Thank you. ??

[ChrisLumix]

9 hours ago, kev7d said:

Again, I guess it personal choice Chris. What I do know is that I like to use both and have never stopped using one in favour of the other. The user has some excellent tools with either of them.  

It may also be to do with the fact I only have Topaz Adjust and Topaz B&W (the B&W isn't a patch on Nik Silver Efex) so there may be other features I've not seen.

[kev7d]

I do have the whole Topaz suite. So yes that does make a big difference.

[Kobione]

A lovely gentle image Kev - I'm about to start my 'learning curve' with Lightroom and PS, and I expect it to take me a while!!

[kev7d]

1 hour ago, Kobione said:

A lovely gentle image Kev - I'm about to start my 'learning curve' with Lightroom and PS, and I expect it to take me a while!!

Thanks for the feedback.

The learning never stops, not for me at least. ?