50f1.4.....WOW!!

[schmoelzel]

Today I received my newest lens; after trading in the 'thrifty-fifty' for a Canon 50f1.4. What a HUGE difference (at least for me). I never really liked the 50f1.8.....felt really cheap and somehow the shots never gave me that POP that I look for in good photos. I finally ran into a good deal on a used version of the lens and after today, I am sold!! I think that 50mm is also a nicer focal length on the 1.3 crop of my 1D (rather than the 1.6 crop on my old DRebel). This lens is quick to focus, has brilliant colour and sharpness, and the contrast is great! I spent this afternoon under clear blue skies and bright sunshine in the park with my daughter Julia and came away with some excellent shots. I did attach my flash to get some fill-flash happening because when you shoot under the noonday sun, without the aid of flash you'll end up with ugly shadows. The bokeh is smooth and I notice the same 3D pop that you get from the 135F2..........I think my copy is even sharper than my 85F1.8 (and that's really SHARP!) Here are a few shots from today.......the first is inside the house before we left to go to the park. Enjoy and thanks for looking........

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/Canon/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/50f1.4-1D-B.jpg

Camera: Canon 1D
Shutter speed: 1/500 sec
Aperture: 1.4
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: External E-TTL
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: 250
Lens: 50.0 mm
Focal length: 50.0mm
AF mode: One-shot AF

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/Canon/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/50f1.4-1D-F1.jpg

Camera: Canon 1D
Shutter speed: 1/8000 sec
Aperture: 2.8
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: External E-TTL High speed sync
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: 250
Lens: 50.0 mm
Focal length: 50.0mm
AF mode: One-shot AF

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/Canon/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/50f1.4-1D-I.jpg

Camera: Canon 1D
Shutter speed: 1/8000 sec
Aperture: 2.8
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: External E-TTL High speed sync
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: 250
Lens: 50.0 mm
Focal length: 50.0mm
AF mode: One-shot AF

[Mannytkd]

Bloody hell, what tremedous shots, so clear and crisp. I would like to thing i could try and get some like that with my G6, but that maybe wishfull thinking. I have tried though tp show how good the G6 can be? See what you think.....

www.karlsphotography.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk (http://www.karlsphotography.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk)

[PeaPicker]

Wow! Great shots and subject.

[BlueTit]

Those shots are great, I will have to think about entering the market of one of those. I love the first one. Brilliant.

[ayotnoms]

As an owner of the f/1.4, I have some catching up to do to match these exceptional photos.

...I'm inspired. :-)

[Mike2005]

Stunning. Thanks!

[berrylish]

i love the first one! feel like she's coming out of my computer screen.

[Keiffer]

Man oh man that is so crisp I feel like shes right near me. Fantastic shots, great composition. I could go on and on(Tongue hanging out in Awe)
No honestly is that more of the camera or the lens? And how close were you to her just out of curiosity?

[Ferdinand]

MAN that is a nice piece of glass and of course no doubt you are a very skilled photographer too! :)

[the.digital.guy]

Awesome Pictures!!!!
I've never tried that lens......will have to now.

[drisley]

Schmoelzel, your pictures definately have a certain look. I can spot them a mile away.
And it's definately very positive to say the least!
Man, I've never seen anybody as bitten by the lens bug as you.
Have you converted Julia's room into a lens storage closet, and made her sleep on the couch?
:)

[lostdoggy]

WOW. What brilliance? What Color? Lovely.

[Raj]

:razz: Great great pictures !! You make them look like they are from L lens. I am impressed. Really great job :-)

[mrclark321]

Wow...Great work!!
another lense to peek my curiosity...lol

Dan

[Ballen Photo]

Excellent shots! That little fifty really came through in Ace's ;)
-Bruce

[drisley]

Now you've got me considering selling my Canon 28/1.8 USM and 50/1.8 II to fund this lens.
I like both lenses, but I dont use the 28mm much, and I would like my 50mm to be up to par with my other primes (85 and 135L).

[LadyHawk]

Wow! Bravo! I have that lens, and think I need to practice more... :D

[schmoelzel]

Hey, thanks for all the nice compliments. Sorry that I always have the same subject but she is a joy to photograph and I just can't get tired of taking pictures of her!

Drisley....thanks so much for the compliment! It seems like I have quite a few lenses but I seem to get rid of one and then replace..........I think at last count I have 7 lenses in the bag (still missing that 135F2 !!) I never really liked the thrifty fifty but I understand the quality for the price........on the 1D the focal length seems to make more sense to my eye.

Ferdinand......thanks for the compliment........I think my photo skills are improving but I should let everyone know that the few pictures that I post here are just 2 or 3 of maybe 60-70!! There are a lot of real stinkers that have bad focus, bad compostition, etc etc. But that is the beauty of digital...........I just keep pressing the shutter and experimenting. Eventually the few good ones do appear.

As if you all haven't noticed, I am as impressed with this lens as anyone.........I really didn't think it would be this sharp. In the next few days I want to see how it does wide open. I have read that it is not as sharp but we'll see............

[Leorooster]

Wow, I like them all, especially the 3rd one.

[schmoelzel]

Man oh man that is so crisp I feel like shes right near me. Fantastic shots, great composition. I could go on and on(Tongue hanging out in Awe)
No honestly is that more of the camera or the lens? And how close were you to her just out of curiosity?

I think it is a little of both.......the lens is great and focuses fast and the 1D focuses and shoots REALLY FAST!! It sure beats the DRebel which I was using until this past February. I was pretty close to Julia when I took all of these shots..........I'd say at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) or less..............sometimes brings out some distortion in a face but it sometimes works!! Thanks for the compliment!

[deedas]

Oh wow! I really need to upgrade to the 1.4


Great shots! :)

[Leorooster]

I think it is a little of both.......the lens is great and focuses fast and the 1D focuses and shoots REALLY FAST!!


I've never gotten any pics with the same sharpness with my 20D & 50f1.4 ...........well, but it could be just me..........:lol:

[fetching]

nice shots, but on the second one you should probably photoshop out the little snot thing in her nostril. :D

[jcouto]

Is this the lens in discussion?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12140&is=USA

I want to get the right one!

[Andy_T]

Yes it is that lens.

Michael, awesome photos (as usual).
It can't be all the lens - it has to be the photographer :D

Sigh ... and this is after I have finally convinced myself that my 50/1.8 MKI is good enough for me...

Best regards,
Andy

[tim]

Those are beautiful, sharp photos!

[henleg]

Yeah!!! What they said!

[MAD DOG]

She's a "little sweety" isn't she?, and you've captured her so well.

NICE JOB

[skade]

Absolutely fantastic shots!

[Mr. Twister]

I am impressed! Awesome shots... I've got to get my G6 out more offten :)

[LadyHawk]

I've never gotten any pics with the same sharpness with my 20D & 50f1.4 ...........well, but it could be just me..........:lol:

Or is it our post-processing skills, Leorooster? :D :( :D

Schmoelzel, are you shooting raw? If so, what converter do you use?

[PaCiFiSt]

Wow - just wow, those are extremely sharp and clean

[schmoelzel]

Or is it our post-processing skills, Leorooster? :D :( :D

Schmoelzel, are you shooting raw? If so, what converter do you use?

Thanks for the compliments! LadyHawk......yes, I do shoot RAW and use the standard PSCS convertor.

[GyRob]

very nice, and sharp i want one now :)

[AXENA]

Man..... I am sold! Next stop B&H! 1.4 is the bomb! Nice shots! :-)

[MrGibbage]

Can you tell me how you create the frames? I must have missed the "Draw really cool frame" tool in Photoshop.

Excellent shots by the way.

Skip

[badrotation]

Im gonna be ordering the 50 f1.4 USM pretty soon as well.

[Nicky D]

They are really great shots. That is one hell of a lense. I have it on my camera 99% of the time. Like you I have many shots that are not that great, but the shots that I get of my daughter that due come out good, come out really good with this lense.

[suryad]

Hi guys, second post here. Am an extreme noob starting out and trying to get the hang of my 20d with the 17-85 mm lens. Just got it like 2 days ago in the mail and have just been amazed by it. Those are great shots of your cutie pie of a daughter!! I cannot believe how sharp those images are. I doubt a straight shot right out of the camera could be that sharp and clear...post processing has to be done....but then again I am a noob :-) and so I dunno if that is a correct statement or not. But those pics just are incredible!

[toddb]

Man, she is really growing fast. Those are great shots, now I'm going to have to upgrade...someday.

[davepop]

Thanks a lot you've just cost me some more money.:evil:


Great shots though. ;)

[Radioham]

Really nice shots, Have not taken any pics like that on my 1.4 but i will kep trying. At least i know what to aim for now, Well done.
Steve

[drisley]

Just so you know, as Radioham mentions, just having a 50/1.4 lens isn't going to guarantee beautifully crips, sharp, contrasty images.
If you look at schmoelzel other images, he takes amazing shots with all his lenses.
If you gave him a 50/1.8II and he posted some shots, you would be just as amazed.
So, don't think you HAVE to buy that lens to get such beautiful shots.
Having said that, I'm probably going to sell my 50/1.8II to buy the 50/1.4, mainly for the build and USM. ;)

[LadyHawk]

Just so you know, as Radioham mentions, just having a 50/1.4 lens isn't going to guarantee beautifully crips, sharp, contrasty images.
If you look at schmoelzel other images, he takes amazing shots with all his lenses.
If you gave him a 50/1.8II and he posted some shots, you would be just as amazed.
So, don't think you HAVE to buy that lens to get such beautiful shots.
Having said that, I'm probably going to sell my 50/1.8II to buy the 50/1.4, mainly for the build and USM. ;)

So Drisley, have you figured out what makes a Schmoelzel image shine, if it's not the lens.

In other words, where do most of us fall short? :confused:

[Citizensmith]

Good review of the lens. :) I've been considering one as well after I got rid of the totaly uninspiring 50 1.8.

Great photos as well.

[drisley]

So Drisley, have you figured out what makes a Schmoelzel image shine, if it's not the lens.

In other words, where do most of us fall short? :confused:

70% photographer, 20% lighting, 10% equipment is what I hear alot.
Schmoelzel has a good eye, and a very good eye for lighting.
I've seen people who take "average" or even below average pictures with lenses like the 300/2.8, while others make that lens look like a magic wand (which it is capable of).
At the other end, there are people, like Don Ellis (do a search in this forum and on google) who take pictures with the Canon G2 that look almost 1DS + L quality.
Also, dont forget, not all of us have as cute a subject to work with as Schmoelzel.:)

[LadyHawk]

70% photographer, 20% lighting, 10% equipment is what I hear alot.
Schmoelzel has a good eye, and a very good eye for lighting.
I've seen people who take "average" or even below average pictures with lenses like the 300/2.8, while others make that lens look like a magic wand (which it is capable of).
At the other end, there are people, like Don Ellis (do a search in this forum and on google) who take pictures with the Canon G2 that look almost 1DS + L quality.
Also, dont forget, not all of us have as cute a subject to work with as Schmoelzel.:)

Thanks, Drisley. I intend to improve my skills and appreciate every bit of advice I can get from my respected forum mentors. I know Schmoelzel has an advantage with that cutie pie around the house. I just keep waiting for those grandkids! One of these days... :rolleyes:

[drisley]

Don't get me wrong. A better lens is a better lens, but the lens can only do so much.
I am contemplating getting the 50/1.4 mainly for the USM and build, but I dont expect my images to suddenly look that much better than with my 50/1.8II.
I admit that I am by far the weakest link in my setup, and until I can improve dramatically, there probably is no reason to get that 300/2.8 or 1DS MKII just yet.
;)

[schmoelzel]

Wow......thanks for all the nice compliments, not just on the shots but on my beautiful daughter Julia!! As some here have noted, I truly believe that having a beautiful baby as a subject makes this whole photo hobby such an enjoyable one (at least for me as I am definitely a hobbyist!!) I am sorry that some of you feel that you have to get this lens now because of the pictures!! :) But now you know how I feel whenever I see a sharp pic taken with a particular lens, I have this NEED to get that lens even though I know that it is not only the lens. I think I may have mentioned in past posts that the enjoyment of photography for me is partly about the equipment.........I feel more confident and inspired to constantly take photos when I am confident that the equipment won't fail my expectations. Which doesn't mean that equipment is the be all and end all........Drisley makes an excellent point about Don Ellis and his G2.......a true artist with a much simpler camera than many of us here! I would also like to mention Pekka and his amazing gallery of G1 shots............which is how and why I got into this in the first place and really fell in love with SHARPNESS!!!

I have had a few emails in the past couple of days from people asking about the fill-flash that I used......ie. reflectors etc. Well, my set-up is really simple and straight-forward. I normally try and take shots near windows, and I have a 420EX flash attached to my 1D. For outdoor fill I use the hi-speed sync on the flash and the camera does the rest. I angle the flash straight toward the subject. This lets the camera meter correctly and throw the correct amount of light at the subject. Indoors I angle the flash off the ceiling or a wall (preferably white!). I use a Stofen Omnibounce on the flash.....helps to distribute the light evenly.

Thanks Drisley for all you compliments!! I enjoy your photos as well and get inspiration from your 135F2 shots all the time!! I have especially liked your fitness shots.........they really show off the lens but also your eye for the picture.

One other thing I have to mention.........the shots that I post are the BEST out of literally 100's of shots that I take. With digital there isn't a limit to the amount of pics that you take (CF space permitting) and this really helps. Those pictures of Julia were three from about 125!!! And there were some real stinkers there (out of focus, focus on the hands not the eyes, underexposed, over exposed etc etc) My suggestion for anyone with a digital SLR is to just go out there and take A LOT of pictures..........I guarantee that your photo skills will improve. ( I only got more serious about this 1 year ago).

Ok......enough verbal diarreah.......I have pictures that I need to take!! :)

[Duncreavy]

I have this lens and am very happy with it. However, I notice you increase the ISO to 250 even though you're in bright sunlight and using fill in flash. I'm a beginner so can you explain why? I thought higher ISO was for low light conditions. Thanks.

[schmoelzel]

I have this lens and am very happy with it. However, I notice you increase the ISO to 250 even though you're in bright sunlight and using fill in flash. I'm a beginner so can you explain why? I thought higher ISO was for low light conditions. Thanks.

On my canon 1D, the ISO 250 is the lowest (other than 200) setting meaning that you use this when you have good light conditons (flash or outside). If you are shooting under low-light conditions, you increase the ISO setting.......the trade off is that you will increase noise (unless you have a 20D where the high ISO setting are incrediblely low noise. You are therefore right in your assumption that high ISO is for lowlight.........on the 1D, 250 is a low ISO setting. Hope this helps!!

[drisley]

Schmoelzel, you mentioned something that I thought about after posting.
That often an experienced photog will only keep a handful of images from a day of shooting.
That comes with practice. I find images in my galleries that I took last year that make me wonder why I kept them.
It's also interesting you mention the fill flash. I think you are king of the fill flash, and that too helps give your pictures that added pop.
Thanks for the compliment too :)

[mrclark321]

Well I just thaught I would revive this thread since I just purchase this lens off of Schmoelzel. Looks like a sharp copy so I hope I will be happy! If not it will be a 35mmL or a 85mmL. This would be a much cheaper alternative. ;)
I can never live up to Schmoelzel for my pics but I will try to post some after it arrives!

Dan

[dgcorner]

Schmoelzel, wow...! Those pics make me want to sell my thrifty-fifty and get the 1.4!

Thanks for sharing!

[smassey]

Excellent work, Schmoelzel. I've never gotten such good work from my 50-1.4, but then I mainly use it to shoot sports in poorly lit dungeons.

I really need to start doing people photography.

[shimano]

These shots have a huge WOW factor to them,if was a parent of young ones i would be happy to pay big money for shots of my children if they were as good as these.

[Salleke]

Beautifull as allways. Schmoelzel, I think you could make very sharp pictures even with a simple magnifying glass ... ;)

[JMHPhotography]

Beautifull as allways. Schmoelzel, I think you could make very sharp pictures even with a simple magnifying glass ... ;)

I've said that Schmoelzel could shoot through the bottom of a mayonaise jar and get sharp images. haha.

[malla1962]

Today I received my newest lens; after trading in the 'thrifty-fifty' for a Canon 50f1.4. What a HUGE difference (at least for me). I never really liked the 50f1.8.....felt really cheap and somehow the shots never gave me that POP that I look for in good photos. I finally ran into a good deal on a used version of the lens and after today, I am sold!! I think that 50mm is also a nicer focal length on the 1.3 crop of my 1D (rather than the 1.6 crop on my old DRebel). This lens is quick to focus, has brilliant colour and sharpness, and the contrast is great! I spent this afternoon under clear blue skies and bright sunshine in the park with my daughter Julia and came away with some excellent shots. I did attach my flash to get some fill-flash happening because when you shoot under the noonday sun, without the aid of flash you'll end up with ugly shadows. The bokeh is smooth and I notice the same 3D pop that you get from the 135F2..........I think my copy is even sharper than my 85F1.8 (and that's really SHARP!) Here are a few shots from today.......the first is inside the house before we left to go to the park. Enjoy and thanks for looking........

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/Canon/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/50f1.4-1D-B.jpg

Camera: Canon 1D
Shutter speed: 1/500 sec
Aperture: 1.4
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: External E-TTL
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: 250
Lens: 50.0 mm
Focal length: 50.0mm
AF mode: One-shot AF

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/Canon/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/50f1.4-1D-F1.jpg

Camera: Canon 1D
Shutter speed: 1/8000 sec
Aperture: 2.8
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: External E-TTL High speed sync
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: 250
Lens: 50.0 mm
Focal length: 50.0mm
AF mode: One-shot AF

http://theteahaus.netfirms.com/Canon/nfpicturepro/albums/userpics/10001/50f1.4-1D-I.jpg

Camera: Canon 1D
Shutter speed: 1/8000 sec
Aperture: 2.8
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: External E-TTL High speed sync
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: 250
Lens: 50.0 mm
Focal length: 50.0mm
AF mode: One-shot AFYou get what you pay for,that first shot is out of this world,I never did like the 1.8:D:D

[Wavy C]

You get what you pay for,that first shot is out of this world,I never did like the 1.8:D:D

Something makes me think if he had been shooting with the f1.8 version the results would have been just as good!

Nice pictures Schmoelzel! :)

[schmoelzel]

Hey, this is a really old thread!! Thanks Dan for the resurrection and have fun with this great lens.......the only reason I did give it up was that since I bought the 35L, I have rarely used the 50f1.4; it is however an awesome optic and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants L optics without the steep price. I'm sure I will miss it but I can always pick it up again! Thanks for all the nice comments and compliments; Julia sure does look different now............thanks Dan for the purchase and the proceeds go towards my next lens objective (the rare 200f1.8). It will take me a while to save up the funds for this one but it's never to early to start!!

[RAitch]

There's just something about your images Schmoelzel... These 50mm pics looks as good as your 85L pics. Your colour treatment is amazing... I'm not sure how you get that pleasant pastel feel to the images... and how you get your subjects to pop so much.

Man oh man. Thanks Dan for bringing this one back up... glad I got to see these images. WOW!

Schmoelzel... we have to sit down and have a chat! ;)

[JohnnyG]

Absolutely stunning for sure and very colorful. Looks like a "keeper" lens for sure!!

Love the model too, she's cute!!! I especially like the 1st one!!!

[RAitch]

As for a keeper... Michael sold it... so it's a keeper for Dan now.

[PEACHMAN]

These are too good ! I'm getting rid of my camera and bring my subjects to you...how do they get better than # 2 ?

[schmoelzel]

Absolutely stunning for sure and very colorful. Looks like a "keeper" lens for sure!!

Love the model too, she's cute!!! I especially like the 1st one!!!

Damn!! I guess I should have kept it!! :)

[mrclark321]

Well Michael it's a keeper for sure! I can see why "Primes " are so desirable! Time to start saving for the 85mm 1.2 ;)

DanDamn!! I guess I should have kept it!! :)

[drisley]

Damn!! I guess I should have kept it!! :)
What?! Your model is gone! :eek:
I hope you got a whole lot of big L lenses for Julia! My gawd! :p

[hecya]

That is sharpness at work!

[schmoelzel]

What?! Your model is gone! :eek:
I hope you got a whole lot of big L lenses for Julia! My gawd! :p

After getting the 35L, I just found that I don't use the 50 all that much.......but I have a surprise coming in the next couple of days....traded my Sigma FE for the 17-40L! Should be here next week..........maybe I'll start back down the road towards zooms!! :) (not!) Couldn't pass up on a good deal.........

[MsTracy]

Those are GREAT! How much is this lens? I neeeeed ONE! :)

[RAitch]

You need Michael to take all of your pictures is what you need! He can make a picture from a POS lens look spectacular! (not saying the 1.4 is a POS)

[MsTracy]

I have a question. I have a 24-70 1-2.8 lens. From the search I just did it appears the one i have is more expensive-does that mean it's a better lens? I'm very inexperienced and my photographer told me to get the 24-70 1-2.8. Anyway-obviously Michael has the talent that I aspire to have. Just curious if I have a good enough lens to get such sharp photos. Thanks in advance.

[sony23]

I have a question. I have a 24-70 1-2.8 lens. From the search I just did it appears the one i have is more expensive-does that mean it's a better lens? I'm very inexperienced and my photographer told me to get the 24-70 1-2.8. Anyway-obviously Michael has the talent that I aspire to have. Just curious if I have a good enough lens to get such sharp photos. Thanks in advance.

Tracy just download this action, its called highkey but within the action there is one called pop, load that into photoshop cs and see your images pop like these.

Bruce

only works on some images, sometimes just a press of the back key will do.

http://www.inframe.co.uk/html/download.shtml highkey.atn

[mrclark321]

The 24-70L is an excellent lense but at a cost of about 3 1/2 times the 50mm1.4. "L" lenses are built a lot more solid than non "L" lenses and the optic quality is better. The 50mm 1.4 is one of the non "L" lenses that is one of the best bangs for your buck! It's a sharp lense and very popular. The 50mm is great for low light and is a nice small light lense compared to the 24-70L. Both are excellent quality lenses capable of producing excellent results.

Dan



I have a question. I have a 24-70 1-2.8 lens. From the search I just did it appears the one i have is more expensive-does that mean it's a better lens? I'm very inexperienced and my photographer told me to get the 24-70 1-2.8. Anyway-obviously Michael has the talent that I aspire to have. Just curious if I have a good enough lens to get such sharp photos. Thanks in advance.

[RAitch]

Dan, aren't you supposed to be working? ;)

About the "pop" a lot of it has to do with post processing... but another huge factor is the bokeh (out of focus background). Having a somewhat sharp portion of the image next to a blurry portion only makes that sharp part look sharper.
Having L glass can definitely help... and also low apertures.

[mrclark321]

I can't wait to try your new 85mm 1.2 ;)
Say hi to Michael for me tomorrow.

Dan

Dan, aren't you supposed to be working? ;)

About the "pop" a lot of it has to do with post processing... but another huge factor is the bokeh (out of focus background). Having a somewhat sharp portion of the image next to a blurry portion only makes that sharp part look sharper.
Having L glass can definitely help... and also low apertures.

[RAitch]

LOL, stop pushing.
I might have to pay Michael extra just to get his copy... maybe he can autograph it for me.

[sony23]

Dan, aren't you supposed to be working? ;)

About the "pop" a lot of it has to do with post processing... but another huge factor is the bokeh (out of focus background). Having a somewhat sharp portion of the image next to a blurry portion only makes that sharp part look sharper.
Having L glass can definitely help... and also low apertures.

Yes I do understand that but the action I did does help on some images. But its up to you to get a decent image to start with.

Bruce



http://www.inframe.co.uk/photos/70200pop.jpg

[RAitch]

True Sony... I would recommend deconstructing the action and finding out what it does step by step. Then if you can duplicate it, you can get the most out of every step and then get improvement out of every photograph.

Really, as you've mentioned, there is no magic formula/action for every picture. Knowing how these work is key so you can do it yourself and fine tune everything.

It duplicates the layer...
Looks like some auto levels commands (yuck)
Then a saturation increase of 15 points (which can lead to hue shift **)
Then there's a shadow/highlight tool setting (Shadow 15% 50% 30 - Highlight 0% 50% 30) to brighten highlights and some colour correction

** you can get better results by opening your image as a new file, switching to lab, steepening the a and b channel curves, then copy the image and paste it back into your original. I have an action that I found to do this in varying degrees (TLR Digital Velvia). With only 15 points, you may not notice a difference, but I've learned to be warry of the straight saturation increases.

Not saying this won't work... but if you "get in there" and play with the shadow settings... and adjust the levels and contrast yourself, you'll get even better results.

Thanks for sharing that action... more people should do so!!

[MsTracy]

Thanks. Hey I have PS6. Can I download it to that? If so, do you have a link or do I buy it or what?

[danphoto1]

Simply beautiful gorgeous subject andexcellent work

[sony23]

Thanks. Hey I have PS6. Can I download it to that? If so, do you have a link or do I buy it or what?

Not sure if it works with ps6 but its here http://www.inframe.co.uk/html/download.shtml

Bruce

[MsTracy]

sorry do I save to my computer or in photoshop? where should I save it to? Thanks in advance.

[RAitch]

PS6 didn't have shadow/highlight tool did it? If not, this won't work.
Save the file to your PC, then load the action from the actions palette in Photoshop.