#color efex

[thorsenmark]

Sometimes You’re Sitting in a Parked Car and See Amazing Colors and Patterns on a Mountainside (Death Valley National Park) by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: While at the Death Valley Pay Station with a view looking to the southwest to a mountainside of the Amargosa Range. This is in Death Valley National Park. What I was attempting to do in capturing this image was finding a balance between the colors with the patterns and shapes on this mountainside and that of the skies above as a color contrast.

[wimjee]

Wandergebiet Jenner (HDR). by Wim Jacobs Via Flickr: Zomervakantie Bergtesgaden. Tussenstop heenreis Hilpoltstein, terugreis via Aschaffenburg. Jennerbahn wandeling van Bergstation naar Mittelstation.

[sigalrm]

Spreepromenade by Pascal Volk

[useanotherday]

My ON1 Photo Workflow for Landscape Photos

These are my step-by-step choices and reasoning behind making very realistic photos that make the viewer feel like they are looking at a real scene and actually there, not looking at a photo, using ON1 photo software. Continue reading My ON1 Photo Workflow for Landscape Photos

[yukikocloud]

what reshade preset are you using and how do you edit your photos? they’re so beautiful 🙏🙏

TYSM:3 I’m using Sumahama reshade preset. For editing i use photoshop( curves, shadows and highlights, blending modes if needed), and analog efex( dust and vignette)+ color efex sometimes. If you’re interested in something specific plz let me know cuz iʼm fickle in my preferences which makes the editing process chaotic and unstable. 🫠

[pointandshooter]

What do you use to edit your photos?!!

For many of my black and white photos I shoot JPEGs and don't edit, except to slightly crop in iPhotos. I have been pleased with the JPEGs my Sony makes, especially the high-contrast black and white.

If I am taking photos at night, indoors, or with poor lighting conditions, I will shoot the photo in RAW format, with the JPEG produced by the camera for reference. I pre-process the photo using DXO PureRAW. This sharpens the image and gets rid of noise. It is a pretty amazing tool and I highly recommend it for anyone shooting in RAW. I then use Adobe Lightroom to edit the photo. If I decide I want to process the RAW image as black and white I use DXO NIK Silver Efex Pro 3, as it emulates film much better than Lightroom. I also sometimes use DXO NIK Analog Efex for a vintage look.

I am colorblind, so I rely a lot on Lightroom's presets for color photos. I usually make several different versions of a color photo and run them past my wife to select the best-looking image. If not for my wife, I probably would never make color photos

[diwns]

hi I hope you have great holidays (if you celebrate!) I love how your screenshots look, could you describe your editing progress in any chance? <3

definitely! my editing progress usually depends on the general feel of each photoset/screenshot so this is just a composed list of steps i generally take whenever i edit them.

the screenshot is taken with gshade (personal preset) and edited with ☠ photoshop CC 2019!

today we're working with this screenshot:

yes i took it with the border shader in gshade. less things for me to do in photoshop and i can angle the frame how i see fit!

since i've planned to crop this into a square (based on how the border is set) so we'd do that. after cropping i'd run an action (that i called "base") composed of:

in which the ☠ topaz clean and smart sharpen settings are taken from avonlea's actions. the camera raw filter is just there to add +5 clarity points. ☠ topaz denoise setting varies because unlike topaz clean, denoise pop up window will show up and let you edit it right at the moment. here's a before and after:

here i'd use the liquify tool to smooth out the rough edges, or export it as .psd to procreate if i wanted some extensive edit and draw on, etc.. then import it back again in pts for the next step.

next i basically throw the screenshot into ☠ color efex & analog efex pro where i play around with the filters and spam the compare button until i'm satisfied.

the settings get changed every time so it'd be kind of useless for me to share them but these are the ones i mess with the most:

then i'll use the camera raw filter again to hot-fix the screenshot (mostly saturation, hue, highlight, white points, clarity and texture), resizing the image to 1280px wide*, run an action (that i called "noise") and we'll end up with something like this:

fyi: sharpen the screenshot after adding noise is a personal choice btw. sometimes i'd double sharpen the screenshot if i want it to be more sharp - run the unsharp mask option before the noise action itself.

*if the current width is lesser than 1280px i'd downsize it to 540px since upsizing a lower resolution image will make the details blurrier (there's rarely a case where my original screenshot after cropped is lesser 540px wide).

*if i use swre to hotsample my screenshots i'd resize the photo to 2160px wide instead. most of the 2160px width cases are fullbody shots in cas.

last step is to save/export the edited screenshot as PNG. the grand reveal:

unfortunately the site for these ☠ programs was not in english, i downloaded them a long time ago i forgot which site i got them from so i couldn't send/link them here :(

— anyway i hope this editing process helps with what you're looking for!! (someway somehow)

[dogsaver-blog]

Natural Privacy by Scott Gitlin Via Flickr: Color eFex Pro: film grain. Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, New York

[airmanisr]

Post-Apocalyptic Gotham Villains by James H. Via Flickr: Cool concept and great execution. I used Nik Software's Color Efex Pro - Pro Contrast / Tonal Contrast; Dfine; and Topaz Adjust's Medium Detail / Gritty I filters.

[thelearningcurvephotography]

Books and Breaks and Butchers Postcards by The Learning Curve Photography on Zazzle. In a row of buildings constructed between 1889 and 1893, Nos 232 - 236 Queen St E in The Moss Park area of Toronto Canada are now home to a book store, a glass repair and a butchers. The row of buildings were designated a Heritage Property by The City of Toronto in 1973. Original photography using a Canon EOS 60D body with a Sigma 17-70mm f2.8 DC Macro OS lens. Processed using Silver EFEX Pro as a Lightroom plugin for the Black and White conversion. • Dimensions are 5.6" L x 4.25" H • High quality full color full bleed printing on both sides • 17.5 pt thickness 120 lb weight 324 GSM paper • Light white uncoated matte finish with an eggshell texture #postcards #zazzle #zazzlemade #toronto #blackandwhitephotography #photography #architecture #buildings

[retouchingcloud]

The Art of Jewelry Photo Retouching

Jewelry photo retouching is a meticulous art form that breathes life into jewelry images, transforming them from good to truly extraordinary. This process requires careful attention to detail, a deep understanding of aesthetics, and mastery over editing tools to bring out the brilliance, color, and beauty of each piece. Whether you're a jewelry photographer, retoucher, or business owner, understanding the art of jewelry photo retouching can elevate your visual content and engage your audience. Let's explore the essential elements of this specialized art form.

Understanding the Importance of Jewelry Photo Retouching

Jewelry retouching is essential to showcasing jewelry pieces at their best. Often, images straight from the camera don't fully capture the sparkle or intricate details due to various factors like lighting, reflections, and background distractions. Through retouching, you can highlight the essential elements of jewelry pieces, from diamonds to metals, making them visually appealing.

Boosting Brand Image and Sales

Quality images play a crucial role in online shopping, as buyers rely solely on visuals to make purchasing decisions. Retouched jewelry photos can significantly enhance a brand’s image, leading to increased trust and credibility among customers. When a product looks flawless, potential customers are more likely to make a purchase, directly impacting sales.

Essential Tools for Jewelry Photo Retouching

These two software are the industry standards for product photo retouching. Adobe Photoshop offers a wide range of tools, including the clone stamp, healing brush, and adjustment layers, to handle everything from background cleanup to intricate detailing. Adobe Lightroom, on the other hand, is excellent for basic adjustments like color correction, exposure, and contrast, making it a great starting point before moving on to Photoshop.

Specialized Plugins and Filters

To further enhance your jewelry images, consider using specialized plugins like PortraitPro and Color Efex Pro. These plugins add unique filters and adjustments, saving time and creating specific effects that can bring out the shine and sparkle in gemstones. With tools like Nik Collection or Topaz Labs, you can achieve professional-looking results with ease.

Techniques for Perfecting Jewelry Images

One of the first steps in jewelry retouching services background removal. A clean, solid-colored background enhances focus on the jewelry. After isolating the jewelry from the background, you can add subtle shadows or reflections to create a professional look. A neutral or white background is most commonly used to give the piece a high-end appearance.

Polishing Metal and Gemstones

Bringing out the natural shine in metals and gemstones is crucial in jewelry retouching. Techniques like the dodge and burn tool help highlight the metallic luster, while the clarity adjustment refines the sparkle of gemstones. This method can also correct imperfections or reduce unwanted reflections.

Enhancing Clarity and Sharpness

Jewelry pieces have small, intricate details that need to be sharp and clear. Focus stacking is a method that combines multiple images taken at different focal points to achieve maximum sharpness throughout the piece. This technique can be particularly effective in capturing fine details in macro jewelry photography.

Using the Sharpening Tool

Photoshop's sharpening tool, combined with high-pass filters, can accentuate the sharpness without introducing noise or grain. The goal is to strike a balance that keeps the jewelry image crisp while maintaining a natural look. Enhanced sharpness brings out details that draw viewers’ attention to the jewelry's craftsmanship.

Retouching Colors and Enhancing Gemstone Brilliance

Jewelry photography often requires color correction to make sure gemstones and metals look accurate and vibrant. Hue, saturation, and luminance (HSL) adjustments help in correcting color deviations and bringing out the authentic tones of each element. Color grading can also be applied to make images look polished and cohesive across a series.

Enhancing the Brilliance of Gemstones

To make gemstones look captivating, you can enhance their brightness and contrast. Using the dodge tool, gently lighten specific areas of the gemstone, creating the illusion of depth and luminosity. This technique helps in making gemstones look naturally brilliant and appealing to potential buyers.

Removing Imperfections and Unwanted Reflections

Dust, scratches, and minor imperfections on jewelry are common and can detract from the overall image quality. Using the spot healing brush and clone stamp in Photoshop, you can effectively remove these flaws. This step ensures that the jewelry looks flawless, increasing its appeal.

Eliminating Reflections and Fingerprints

Reflections, especially on polished metal surfaces, are inevitable in jewelry photography. Advanced retouching techniques, like frequency separation, help to smooth out unwanted reflections without losing texture. By eliminating distractions like fingerprints, the jewelry’s brilliance shines through.

Adding Shine and Gloss to Metal and Diamonds

Highlighting specific parts of the jewelry piece can add depth and make it look three-dimensional. Using Photoshop’s brush tool, you can create subtle highlights and shadows that give the piece a natural shine. This method can make metals look more polished and diamonds appear radiant.

Using the Blur and Glow Effects

For certain gemstones, adding a slight glow effect can enhance their natural sparkle. The blur tool can be applied subtly to areas around diamonds, creating an aura effect. This adds to the overall allure of the jewelry and makes it look more luxurious.

Adjusting Contrast and Brightness for Perfect Lighting

Proper exposure ensures that every part of the jewelry is visible. Underexposed areas may lose detail, while overexposed areas can appear flat. By adjusting brightness and exposure, you can bring out the true colors and textures of jewelry. This balance is essential for making images look professional and eye-catching.

Controlling Highlights and Shadows

Adjusting the highlights and shadows can help create a more balanced and appealing image. Too much brightness can make certain elements lose detail, while dark shadows can hide key features. By fine-tuning these aspects, jewelry pieces look both realistic and stunningly detailed.

Final Touches: Polishing the Overall Image

Once all the adjustments are complete, the final step is to crop and resize the image for different platforms, such as e-commerce websites or social media. Maintaining a consistent aspect ratio ensures that all images fit perfectly in various layouts, giving a cohesive look across digital platforms.

Applying a Subtle Vignette Effect

A soft vignette effect can be applied to draw the viewer’s eye to the center of the image, where the jewelry is positioned. By darkening the edges slightly, the focus remains on the jewelry, enhancing its visual impact without being overly distracting.

Optimizing for SEO: Making Jewelry Images Search-Friendly

To make jewelry photos SEO-friendly, add descriptive alt text and image titles. These should include relevant keywords that reflect the jewelry type, gemstone, or style. This not only helps search engines understand the content but also increases the chances of your images appearing in search results.

Compressing Images for Faster Load Time

Image size is an important factor for website performance. Compressing images without losing quality ensures faster load times, which improves user experience and can positively impact SEO. Tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim can help achieve this balance.

Conclusion

Jewelry photo retouching combines technical skills with a keen eye for aesthetics to produce captivating images that attract customers and drive sales. Mastering these techniques, from enhancing clarity to creating realistic shine, can make a noticeable difference in how jewelry pieces are perceived. As you refine your skills, remember that patience and practice are essential. Each jewelry piece has its unique qualities, and with the right tools and techniques, you can bring out the best in every shot.

[thorsenmark]

It Looks To Be an Exciting Day in Bryce Canyon National Park! by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: A setting looking to the east-northeast while taking in views across hoodoos and other eroded formations present in Bryce Canyon National Park. This view is located at Sunset Point and just around sunrise. My thought on composing the image was to time an image captured around the point of sunrise, but some low clouds were present to minimize that look. I chose to work with HDR Efex Pro 2 to better bring that complete color setting in the image. I later exported a TIFF image to DxO PhotoLab 5 where I did some final adjustments with contrast, saturation and brightness for the final image.

[wimjee]

Almbachklamm, Theresienklause (HDR). by Wim Jacobs Via Flickr: Zomervakantie Berchtesgaden. Tussenstop heenreis Hilpoltstein, terugreis via Aschaffenburg. Almbachklamm - Ettenberg.

[sigalrm]

Unwrapped wrapping stuff by Pascal Volk

[essgeefotoblog]

Maintenance Problems by Scott Gitlin Via Flickr: Color eFex Pro: nostalgic film. Fort Tilden, Riis Park, Rockaway Beach, New York

[andreaskorn]

Need For Speed: Deluxe Edition (2015)

Nik Collection: Bildfilter auf Screenshots anwenden

Garage mit leeren Stellplätzen. Welche Wagen kommen neu hinzu? Im Test wurde Analog Efex 2 (Nik Collection) mit einem Vintage Stil auf ein Screenshot angewendet. Zugleich existieren hier auch im Filter Sortiment "Bokeh" oder "Bi-Color". Diese Modifikationen finden sich auch im Foto-Modus des Games unter den dortigen Effekten.

Aber bei Bedarf kann man hier ja selbst nachbessern und ein Motiv mit automatischen Effekten für Affinity Photo erzeugen. Zur Installation ist unter Einstellungen der Installationsordner des kostenfreien Google Filterpacks als Plugins anzuwählen.

(Abb. Analog Efex 2: mit Vintage Effekt und Bokeh Schärfe/Unschärfelinse; der Mustang steht im Fokus)

Affinity Photo (2.5.3) scheint aber kleine Probleme mit diesem Nik Plugin zu besitzen. Zumindest ist es bei meinem PC so. Ist ein Bild geöffnet, sind die Filter ausgegraut und lässt sich nicht anwählen.

Abhilfe:

zuerst in Affinity Photo einen beliebigen Programm internen Standard-Filter (z.B. Ausleuchtung) anwenden. Diesen Schritt rückgängig machen. Danach konnte ich die Nik-Collection (und alle Varianten) im Test ordnungsgemäß unter Windows 11 verwenden.

Vgl. die Wikipedia Übersicht über alle bisherigen Teile.

Dr. Andreas Korn, 09.07.2024

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