davjlee
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posted on 11/7/2009 at 09:02 PM
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Too many effects?
This is basically a question for everyone to see what your thoughts are on "the wave" of photographic effects. When the HDR process was introduced,
every photo seemed to be using it. Don't misunderstand, it is a cool effect that when used properly can truly enhance a photo. However, there is a
thin line between a good effect for design use, and overuse of an effect. It loses its originality when it is used literally for everything. Again,
I am not dogging the effect, it really does have its place.
The other effect that I have noticed a lot of is the use of Topaz. Yes, Topaz is an awesome effect. It is amazing to see how the photos can be
adjusted to bring out detail. However, it is getting to the point where all of the pictures using this effect are looking alike. I just don't want
to see this effect take the course of "overuse."
What does everyone else think? If you love the effects, what is it specifically? Does anyone else believe that effects can end up being overused?
I know that I am as guitly as anyone else, and have overworked many images to death with effects. Thoughts?
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kiwicolin
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posted on 11/8/2009 at 09:22 AM
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Interesting post.
HDR in it's truest sense isn't an effect. The way some of the tone-mapping is done, looks like an effect, but a wider dynamic range in the truest
sense is the future of photography. Just like capturing more megapixels allows for a larger print, more dynamic range allows for more details in
shadow and highlight regions of a photograph. It's sad that so many people see it just as an effect, because in part of the photos posted on flickr.
I'm am guilty of this a bit myself, but I do like the stylized tone mapped effect when done properly. But by no means do I limit my HDR to that
style. In truth, what you are looking at isn't HDR. HDR is a 32 bit file with several bracketed images capturing the entire dynamic range of a scene,
what your looking at is a tone mapped 8-bit output FROM an HDR image. You are in effect just looking at a snapshot of the infinite possibilities of
HDR.
Sorry to sound like I'm splitting hairs, but I've dedicated a lot of time and study to HDR over the past few years and this is a real point of
concern for me. I'm really concerned that pseudo-HDRI will actually give real HDRI a bad name. I'm also not looking forward to the slew of
"band-wagon" books that will probably come out of the next 2 years.
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Hermie
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posted on 11/8/2009 at 12:50 PM
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If you look at it that way then every effect you put on an image is to much.
Yes i like topaz filters a lot and yes i use them. Hell i bought them!!! Does that mean i'm "bad"? (my wife think i am  )
HDR is something i love to. Nothing to complain about that. It's like Colin says.
I see what you mean by to much effects, but what if i like that. Who are you to say that it's a bad thing. I see altering images like art! Some
people love it, some don't. It's that simple!
I love to work with Topaz, but don't think i use only one filter! Sometimes i use 3 or 4! I love Adjust, Detail and Simplify from Topaz a lot and
also Clean... The combination of them makes some of my work ART!
I would never use topaz and HDR in one sentence and I never will because it's something like apples and pears.....
Of course this is just my 2 cents and you have yours, that's fine but don't bug me with that.
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sander78
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posted on 11/8/2009 at 08:07 PM
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Hi
i agree with Colin & Hermie
I thinks how you proces you're photo's is a personal thing/taste.
In my country they say taste isn't discussuble.
I like HDR and love it when they look surrealistic but thats my taste others like them real with topaz i love the details you can bring in to a
picture
the processing is something personal i think and the one who makes the picture and proces loves it the way he processed it.
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davjlee
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posted on 11/8/2009 at 11:11 PM
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Hermie
If you look at it that way then every effect you put on an image is to much.
Yes i like topaz filters a lot and yes i use them. Hell i bought them!!! Does that mean i'm "bad"? (my wife think i am )
HDR is something i love to. Nothing to complain about that. It's like Colin says.
I see what you mean by to much effects, but what if i like that. Who are you to say that it's a bad thing. I see altering images like art! Some
people love it, some don't. It's that simple!
I love to work with Topaz, but don't think i use only one filter! Sometimes i use 3 or 4! I love Adjust, Detail and Simplify from Topaz a lot and
also Clean... The combination of them makes some of my work ART!
I would never use topaz and HDR in one sentence and I never will because it's something like apples and pears.....
Of course this is just my 2 cents and you have yours, that's fine but don't bug me with that.
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First of all, you have grossly misunderstood my post. Who are you to attack me, and to tell me not to bug you. If you don't like it, don't
respond. It's that simple. Also, if you had understood my post you would have known that I am NOT attacking the use of any effect, process, or any
combination of. I also do not remember calling you out and saying that you are BAD for using effects. I am a designer, and as such appreciate,
enjoy, and use effects and new processes regularly. I can tell by your submissions to this site that you know what you are doing. Therefore, do not
confuse a question that I asked, for a personal attack on you. I have seen, not just on this site but others as well, submissions of artwork that
have literally been beaten to death with effects including Topaz. I see some effects catch on with people, and it is MY OPINION, that there is a fine
line between proper use and overuse. I honestly believe that the process of creating an HDR photo is amazing. I know very well what its benefits are
to photos. I think that the addition of the process to the world of design and photography is invaluable. I understand what the process does for
details otherwise impossible to achieve. What I did was ask a question. I have seen posts by others, on this site, claiming that they believe that
effects are overused. I have had responses to my own submissions where I was told that I was using to many effects. I simply wished to take these
thoughts that I have read by others and see what everyone thought about them. And, I will certainly use HDR and Topaz in the same sentence as, if you
would have understood, they are both examples of the same subject that I was discussing. Never did I say that they were the same, not even close. I
assure you that I understand very well the value of each and its place. Therefore, know that I am in no way attacking the use of ANY effect, process,
or ANY other part of ANY design process. I was simply looking for opinions. I certainly got yours.
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rAyVoLvEz
^-cafe_Lifer-^
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posted on 11/9/2009 at 04:42 AM
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I follow a simple rule:
Too much is overdone and do only what's applicable. There is a specific feel or story decision to do a certain processing/effect, and it shouldn't
be just "follow the crowd" and "go with the flow".
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bdbolin
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posted on 11/9/2009 at 05:14 AM
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Hmm... interesting post. It's like how the "Bevel" effect is now on EVERY single button and people use it waaaaaay to much! (lol, even me)
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Hermie
Lok-Tar Ogar
Posts: 4072
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Location: Nijverdal, The Netherlands
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Mood: Need time to explor......
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posted on 11/9/2009 at 11:30 AM
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| Quote: | Origineel gepost door davjlee
First of all, you have grossly misunderstood my post. Who are you to attack me, and to tell me not to bug you. If you don't like it, don't
respond. It's that simple. Also, if you had understood my post you would have known that I am NOT attacking the use of any effect, process, or any
combination of. I also do not remember calling you out and saying that you are BAD for using effects. I am a designer, and as such appreciate,
enjoy, and use effects and new processes regularly. I can tell by your submissions to this site that you know what you are doing. Therefore, do not
confuse a question that I asked, for a personal attack on you. I have seen, not just on this site but others as well, submissions of artwork that
have literally been beaten to death with effects including Topaz. I see some effects catch on with people, and it is MY OPINION, that there is a fine
line between proper use and overuse. I honestly believe that the process of creating an HDR photo is amazing. I know very well what its benefits are
to photos. I think that the addition of the process to the world of design and photography is invaluable. I understand what the process does for
details otherwise impossible to achieve. What I did was ask a question. I have seen posts by others, on this site, claiming that they believe that
effects are overused. I have had responses to my own submissions where I was told that I was using to many effects. I simply wished to take these
thoughts that I have read by others and see what everyone thought about them. And, I will certainly use HDR and Topaz in the same sentence as, if you
would have understood, they are both examples of the same subject that I was discussing. Never did I say that they were the same, not even close. I
assure you that I understand very well the value of each and its place. Therefore, know that I am in no way attacking the use of ANY effect, process,
or ANY other part of ANY design process. I was simply looking for opinions. I certainly got yours.
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I didn't grossly misunderstood your post. You wanted a reaction and you got it.
For me it is very simple.... You like it or you don't. If you want to tell me that you don't like that, sure be my guest.
You didn't attack me in any way..... You couldn't do that in any way! We are here @ a great forum and we talk to each other. The only thing I did
here was giving you my opinion, my way.
I just wanted you to know that i'm one of those guys that don't like the overuse of effects.... but if someone wants that, than it is there
thing.
I hope i cleared it a bit for you.....
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davjlee
coffee drinker
Posts: 121
Registered: 4/11/2008
Location: Albuquerque, NM
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posted on 11/9/2009 at 04:03 PM
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