Processing Challenge: Nikon D800 file

[Jack]

Guy, Uwe and I were discussing a way to have some fun learning and sharing with the D800 and Uwe suggested something he used to do on his DOP site -- have a sort of contest where people can all work on the same raw file and share results, thus all learning about how to best process a new camera's images for themselves. So here we are!

The concept is simply to share how you work up a file from start to finish, and posting a final result along with some crops. Here is a raw NEF that Uwe has provided. Click on the link, then navigate to the second file titled, "1204D800_0479_RanchHouse_70_200mm_VRII.NEF.zip," click on it and it should download. (Depending on browser you may need to do a right-click and save-as): Index of /getdpi

Once you have the file, work it up however you like, just keep notes so you can share them with the group. I will be posting my results after a few days of results get posted, but my process will likely be converting the raw with C1 using standard tools as well as the advanced color editor, then outputting to CS5 for some localized editing, crops, web sizing and possibly additional output sharpening. Be sure to post crops of a detailed area for sharpness and/or color comparisons.

This is not a contest, but rather a shared learning experience, so nothing to win other than having some fun with your friends online!

Here is an "as shot" web version of the image you will be working on, nothing done to it other than a quick direct C1 web jpeg so you can see it here:



Let the games begin!

[danielmoore]

Processed in C1, changing the gamma level to about -0.23, added a mild contrast curve. Ran CA analysis just in case. Rotated by eye. All else at defaults. Opened in PS. Copied bg layer, set it to overlay at 23%/stamped visible to top layer/added B&W adj. layer in Luminosity blend mode with the following values:
Red: -9
Yellow: 12
Green: 85
Cyan: 25
Blue: -74
Magenta: 28

Cloned out the wires and dish and a few bright random bits on and near the roof.
C1 applied default sharpening, I really like the look of it without any further sharpening at any point so I left it. All that detail doesn't leave me wanting.

[Lars Vinberg]

Processing steps:
1. Used Nikon's NEF plugin for Windows to generate a 48-bit TIFF.
2. Wrote my own photo editing software.
3. Tweaked contrast and brightness.
4. Used polarizer filter to tweak sunlight, bring out flowers in foreground, and lichen on trees.
5. For some more texture in the foreground grass and flowers, added a masked layer with a slight contrast boost.
6. Sharpened at full resolution, radius 0.1 pixels at 300%. (This doesn't show in the final downscaled image.)
7. For the B/W version, added a B/W conversion filter with a dark red filter. Also increased overall contrast and pulled down shadows for deep density in tree bark.

(Still haven't figured out how to embed images rather than thumbnails, sorry about that.)

[Guy Mancuso]

Lars email me I will put in gallery guy at GetDPI.com. Same for anyone else if you can't figure that out make your post on what you have done than. E- mail me your image 1200 pixels wide I will put in gallery and add the BBC code in your post. I can edit anything as a admin

[ustein]

Lars, I like the B&W version.

[Jack]

Nice job Dan!

[Jack]

Originally Posted by Lars Vinberg

(Still haven't figured out how to embed images rather than thumbnails, sorry about that.)

Lars, your images look very good too, but it would be nice to see some crops --

Everybody has an automatic gallery here you can upload files to. Go to your gallery, simply hit the "upload" button, and follow the dialog. Once uploaded, click on the thumb, and you see a table with a link already for embedding into the thread. Here's a link to your gallery and you already have some images in it -- click on one and you will see the code links underneath: Regular Member Gallery - GetDPI Image Gallery

PS: How long did your processing step #2 take?

[danielmoore]

Thanks Jack, the D800 made me do it : )

[Lars Vinberg]

Originally Posted by Jack

Lars, your images look very good too, but it would be nice to see some crops --

...

PS: How long did your processing step #2 take?

(is that a bullying smilie?)

Umm... I stopped counting at 5,000 hours... currently at about 670,000 lines.

[Mr.Gale]

Steps (all work in PS):
1.Straightened using ruler tool
2.Set white and black point in Levels layer
3.Made a Curves layer and changed blending mode to Multiply, set Opacity to 50%, then inverted image. Used the brush tool to burn in the grass below the house at 100%. Reduced the brush to 50% and burned in the top and sides.
4.Created a Selective Color layer and moved the black slider in Red to 100%
5.Sharpened using a Dan Margulis action

Mr.Gale



Crop at 100%

[emr]

This will be an interesting thread to follow, to see what kind of PP people do. I won't be contributing due to the lack of skills and advance software, but just gave a try to see how well my Aperture handles the files. Boy, aren't they resource heavy! Opening that one single image and applying so PP made my 2011 MacBook Pro with 4 GB drop to its knees!

[Stefan Steib]

Hi Jack

regarding the fact that I am a bit biased with TS I did a somewhat different version.......

It´s first(!!!) processed with OnOne´s Focal Point 2 (opens the Nef instantly !) 2 focuspoints, a large one,see house, a small one see left edge tree. Settings were 11 blade aperture, widest feather (100 %) and some more.

Then saved as 16 bit tiff opened in Photoshop CS6 Beta, rotated, removed powerline and satelite dish, some manual burn on shadows, a bit + saturation on roof and blue fassade, unsharp mask on details. See full and crop here:






Have fun - this thread is a good idea - get creative folks !

Stefan

[Steen]

If I were to sell that house and this single picture was all I had, I would keep the pastel colors and the lack of contrast, add some vignetting and more or less leave it at that.

Plus of course straightened and also sharpened a bit.

My home is my castle, and a dream house needs a dreamy look, something like this

click for native size (15.7 Mb)


Lightroom 4



Here are the steps in Lightroom 4 (from bottom up).

[ustein]

>My home is my castle

And you even have a satellite dish :-)

[Steen]

I also gave it a try in Capture One 6.4

Here I also added some Levels adjustments which adds to the contrast but at the same time reveals with less mercy that the house could use a damp cloth ...

I'm not sure this version sells quite as well

click for native size (15.1 Mb)


Capture One 6.4

[ustein]

For me the first version is to bright. But as you said it may sell (more uplifting :-).

[Steen]

Originally Posted by ustein

And you even have a satellite dish :-)

Yup, in Real Estate business we always leave all items untouched - if they add to the value.

And, as you probably know, in Real Estate business we never manipulate, only optimize

Besides I cannot find those darn clone tools in my RAW converters ...

[ustein]

What you don't see is that we have also mouton view here :-).

Actually this house is at one of the most beautiful roads we know (Hwy 25 with lovely oak hills).

Same property:



This is a shot 180 degrees back:



1 mile South:



Now for sure it sells.

[Steen]

Whoa, some backyard

Like I said, it's a castle

[docmoore]

Here is a short try with RPP -> LR4 as TIF -> PS for levels crop and sizing...

And a couple of crops


Top Left





Mid Bottom Right

Bob

[docmoore]

So on the above:

RPP

Film Simulation Curve with slight increase in exposure, contrast and local contrast...minimal black point adjustment...decreased what seemed to be a slight magenta cast in the trees/roof.

LR


Temp +4 Contrast +8
Shadows/Blacks -6/-8
Clarity/Vibrance +4
Minimally Sharpened with small radius, detail and edge mask 24/0.7/64/22

Rotate 1.8

PS

Levels adjustment to slightly darken mid tones 0.97

Crop 2x3 format deleting Left Sided fence but maximum size otherwise.

Enough already.

Bob

[BenH]

Opened in LR4. Used adjustment brush on grass to reduce exposure, adjusted highlights then sent to OnOne Perfect Effects. There I made slight local contrast adjustment using the Tone Enhancer sliders. Sent to Photoshop to crop, straighten, some burn and dodge including burning the lower right corner of the roof, then converted to black and white in Silver Effects Pro 2.

[docmoore]

So here is a NIK SEFEX Conversion to BW

And were I to print: This is BW Conversion with 24% opacity

Bob

[GregP]

New guy here. I appreciate you allowing me to play along.








Edited in Lightroom 4.

Camera neutral, rotate +1.4, sharpening 25, radius 0.7, Luminance NR 20, exposure -19, contrast +60, highlights -100, shadows +75, blacks -20, clarity +80, vibrance +10, Curves adjustments, and color adjustments. Some light brush work burning and local sharpening.

I hope I didn't butcher this up too bad.

[ustein]

Bob, can you share the Silver Efex Preset? SEP 2?

[docmoore]

Originally Posted by ustein

Bob, can you share the Silver Efex Preset? SEP 2?

No preset...cook to desired temp....

This was a bit of increase in exposure and contrast...yellow filter at about 60% strength.

I then apply the appropriate Film type depending upon the file...this was Kodak Pan 32 X ... no change in grain or contrast curve...

Applied a tone of selenium #4 but decreased strength to 12....

Vignette of -4

Flatten and then adjust contrast and curves to desired affect.

Every file is a bit different so no saved presets...just work it to desired level.

Hope this helps.

Bob

[ustein]

Bob, thanks.

[docmoore]

Uwe,

Love your site and pics...used to drive Pacheco Pass between Fresno and Monterey ... 18 years worth of looking at the Oaks on the hills near Hollister...brings back great memories.

On the SEFEX...I usually use Coffee or Selenium tones at low levels...then contrast and levels to effect.

Bob

[archivue]

Not impress by the file potential... and quickly process

Process in C1

alignement tool

curve hight contrast film
Color temp
underexpose
highlight recovery
+ clarity
+ luminosity... but not enough... i've didn't process it on my main computer and Eizo screen...

but i'm not use to DSLR files anymore, i've spend 3 years with only leaf files !

[xpixel]

You can also use the Photoshop CS6 trial and the camera raw plugin 6.7 to open the D800 raw files...

[PeterL]

A fun challenge . Here is my take. Processed entirely in C1 6.4, output resize in CS5:

Exposure up: 0.2
Levels Black point: 5
Levels White point: 249
Levels Midtone point: -0.35
Curve: "Mid tone - darker" preset
Rotation: 1.37
Sharpening: 250/0.6/2.0
B/W conversion - Color sensitivity:
Yellow: -44
Green: -44
Cyan: -80
Blue: -80
Split Tones: Blue - Brown 1

Resized in CS5 with Jack's Web action (Over 20 MB - 1200)



100% crop

[Shashin]

I didn't understand the light in this image until I opened it. Processed in ARC. Used curve adjustment, sharping at 1 pixel at 50, and some touches in hue/saturation/luminance panel giving a little more saturation to red/orange and green with changes to luminance in the greens. And then a touch of sharpening in photoshop.

crs:SaturationAdjustmentRed="+8"
crs:SaturationAdjustmentOrange="+12"
crs:SaturationAdjustmentYellow="0"
crs:SaturationAdjustmentGreen="+7"
crs:SaturationAdjustmentAqua="0"
crs:SaturationAdjustmentBlue="+8"
crs:SaturationAdjustmentPurple="0"
crs:SaturationAdjustmentMagenta="0"
crs:LuminanceAdjustmentRed="0"
crs:LuminanceAdjustmentOrange="0"
crs:LuminanceAdjustmentYellow="-11"
crs:LuminanceAdjustmentGreen="-12"
crs:LuminanceAdjustmentAqua="0"
crs:LuminanceAdjustmentBlue="0"
crs:LuminanceAdjustmentPurple="0"
crs:LuminanceAdjustmentMagenta="0"

And a B&W using the channel mixer in ACR for fun.

[BenH]

Really interesting to see the various ways the image is being processed by everyone.

My color version opened in ACR 6.7

Sent to OnOne Perfect Effects. Used the Tone Enhancer to enhance detail. Added presets and painted in or out, with masking brush, to accomplish desired effect. Sorry I cannot provide more detail on workflow used. I went through a whole lot of trial and error without taking notes.

Sent to Photoshop. Cropped and Straightened. Burned and dodged. Adjusted color, tonality, contrast and saturation through layer masking and brushing in where needed. Again, no notes and I can't remember all the steps.

[Amin]

Fun challenge! Here's my 2-minute version:



Steps:

1. Processed to TIFF using default Lightroom settings except Exposure set to -0.5
2. Opened in Photoshop CS5 and applied Alien Skin Exposure Ektochrome 100GX film simulation
3. Noise reduction in Dfine using automatic settings
4. Smart Sharpen radius 0.4 amount 70%

[ustein]

Amin, you may also remove some CA?

[Amin]

Uwe, I didn't see much CA. Guess I missed it.

[ustein]

Originally Posted by Amin

Uwe, I didn't see much CA. Guess I missed it.

You magnified the roof. I think that green is CA, right?

[Shashin]

This is fun. Going away from a neutral/natural type look to a richer look. And just for fun, the drought/fall look.

[ustein]

>And just for fun, the drought/fall look.

Funky look.

[Shashin]

Originally Posted by ustein

>And just for fun, the drought/fall look.

Funky look.

Converted to Lab color space and then the A channel is inverted in curves.

[ustein]

>Converted to Lab color space and then the A channel is inverted in curves.

Thanks for sharing, not for me :-)

[Amin]

Originally Posted by ustein

You magnified the roof. I think that green is CA, right?

Ah, yes, I see it now. Overall I'm pretty impressed with how little CA there is in the image. White wood trim is always tricky.

[Shashin]

Originally Posted by ustein

>Converted to Lab color space and then the A channel is inverted in curves.

Thanks for sharing, not for me :-)

I have just started working in Lab and it is more than just the weird and whacky. It can get you out of some tricky mixed lighting situations fairly easily. Not a great image, but illustrative.

[tashley]

I couldn't resist... so I thought, well, it's very gray here right now and I'd love to be in warm sunny California, let's do a little bright fantasy.

I haven't executed it as well as I would if I had more time, especially the colour treatment, but here goes.







The process:

Import to LR4 with Camera Neutral and sharpening to 60, 1, 80 and 30 (the file is soft).

NR off altogether (with D800 sized files, NR is achieved by looking at the file at 50%!)
Lens correction at defaults.
Straighten.
WB 5200 +17
Exposure -0.1
Contrast +20
Black -11
Shadow -34
Clarity +22
Yellow Luminance -20
Green Luminance -20
Green Saturation +20

> Photoshop for cloning out of telegraph wire, yard junk right and OOF pole notice left.
> LR for...
Paint on an extreme balance of WB shifts with a local brush on the paintwork to change its colour. Then paint on some selective desaturation to some of the white frames and posts to compensate.

Looked a bit flat so

Green Luminance -67
Green Saturation +58

(might as well be cheesy if I'm going all out!)

-39 post-crop vignette
Contrast +19
Whites +27

Forgive me, everyone, for my multiple sins...

[ustein]

UK meets California :-). I propose a paint job to match your processing.

[danielmoore]

Agreed. Puts it in a new price bracket, not to mention it's almost livable now : )

[tashley]

Originally Posted by danielmoore

Agreed. Puts it in a new price bracket, not to mention it's almost livable now : )

Nah. I took their satellite dish away.

[ustein]

>I took their satellite dish away.

Bad, there is no cable :-)

[tashley]

Originally Posted by ustein

>I took their satellite dish away.

Bad, there is no cable :-)

[danielmoore]

With a little less TV and a little less Coors, this place would probably be a little less decrepit. : O