Sony A7x lounge

xpfloyd wrote in post #18028938
Superb David , single exposure or smooth reflections?

Thanks!
Just single exposures - three brackets manually blended via luminosity masks and manual brushing.

David Arbogast wrote in post #18028947
Thanks!
Just single exposures - three brackets manually blended via luminosity masks and manual brushing.

Well it's nicely done . Luminosity masks = something I keep meaning to learn. I purchased the Raya pro panel previously but never really learned it after that

xpfloyd wrote in post #18028972
Well it's nicely done . Luminosity masks = something I keep meaning to learn. I purchased the Raya pro panel previously but never really learned it after that

I use Raya pro as well, but only because it automates creating (and deleting!) the luminosity masks. All the other stuff in that panel, I just don't bother with.

Here's my workflow (I only write this in hopes that it will be encouraging for you and others to try). Although I have (finally) pretty much switched to Capture One, I'll share a LR workflow.
1. Adjust raw brackets to taste in LR and with all the brackets selected use the "Export as Layers" option.
2. Make sure your base layer is at the bottom and is selected/active (I like turning off the other layers as well) and use Raya Pro to create all the Luminosity masks.
3. In the Raya Pro panel click "Brights 3"
4. Switch on and select the dark exposure bracket layer and then simply click the "Add a mask" icon in the bottom right of the PS interface. And your done! Too simple.

One important final step:
5. When you're done with the Luminosity masks, use Raya Pro to delete them all. This is critical as they bloat your file size humongously - you don't want to save your PSD with those things still in the file!

Very nice David. I use luminosity masks for blending my bracketed shots. Also use apply image and blend if. All are powerful tools. Thanks for sharing your workflow.

David Arbogast wrote in post #18028913
Union Station of Kansas City, Missouri with Sigma 20mm Art:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/HFyv​mG
Royal Blue by David Arbogast, on Flickr

HOLY CRAP THATS GOOD

David Arbogast wrote in post #18028992
I use Raya pro as well, but only because it automates creating (and deleting!) the luminosity masks. All the other stuff in that panel, I just don't bother with.

Here's my workflow (I only write this in hopes that it will be encouraging for you and others to try). Although I have (finally) pretty much switched to Capture One, I'll share a LR workflow.
1. Adjust raw brackets to taste in LR and with all the brackets selected use the "Export as Layers" option.
2. Make sure your base layer is at the bottom and is selected/active (I like turning off the other layers as well) and use Raya Pro to create all the Luminosity masks.
3. In the Raya Pro panel click "Brights 3"
4. Switch on and select the dark exposure bracket layer and then simply click the "Add a mask" icon in the bottom right of the PS interface. And your done! Too simple.

One important final step:
5. When you're done with the Luminosity masks, use Raya Pro to delete them all. This is critical as they bloat your file size humongously - you don't want to save your PSD with those things still in the file!

Thanks David, just screen captured that and will give it a go

On another note what's your process for cataloging (spelling?) if you don't use LR? That's the one thing that keeps me trapped with Adobe

digital_AM wrote in post #18027424
Found this image as I was culling my Lightroom catalog. I had passed on it a few times but kept it. Sometimes an image just has to sit on the shelf for a while until I get a creative spark.

Loxia 21 in strong wind

I don't think I have ever seen water as blue as this.

aaaahhhh Maui !!!

That's a fantastic capture, David A!

I keep meaning to learn luminosity masks, but frankly, I spend so little time in PP (I don't have the patience) that I keep putting it off.

It sure looks like that Sigma 20 is a winner for you.

I'm looking forward to taking the Batis 18 out tonight for the first time. Going to see if I can try it out on some astro work too.

Nice capture and pp of a very interesting scene David.

Here's my newest toy...it arrived about 30 minutes ago.

I decided not to go too crazy and attach the 85mm f1.4 GM lens on it...just yet anyway.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/GUUW​Te

Puckman wrote in post #18029066
That's a fantastic capture, David A!

I keep meaning to learn luminosity masks, but frankly, I spend so little time in PP (I don't have the patience) that I keep putting it off.

It sure looks like that Sigma 20 is a winner for you.

I'm looking forward to taking the Batis 18 out tonight for the first time. Going to see if I can try it out on some astro work too.

Thanks! Yeah the Sigma has been nothing but brilliant so far. Case in point, I can take the ultra-sharp LE cityscape images in one moment, but shoot the same place handheld at f/1.4 to capture more of the people/nightlife. It's the latter that I was hired to capture. It's funny; my prefered images don't have cars or people (light trails are great though!), but the organization I am shooting for (during my KC stay) wants predominately people shots. The Sigma 20mm has been amazing for both.

I did make one mistake though - while at Union Station - there were some shots I couldn't get because I didn't have my 16-35mm on hand (had the 35L II with me instead).

Should have mentioned that the shot was taken using my RRS Pocket Pod. Between that and the RRS Multi-clamp I am able to skip schlepping a tripod and probably get cooler images because the limitations make me work harder to get more interesting views.

I think Batis 18 is going to be incredible for you and Eddie, looking forward to your shots.

navydoc wrote in post #18029072
Nice capture and pp of a very interesting scene David.

Here's my newest toy...it arrived about 30 minutes ago.

I decided not to go too crazy and attach the 85mm f1.4 GM lens on it...just yet anyway.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/GUUW​Te New toy by Gene, on Flickr

Congrats Gene. Looks fantastic with the little 35mm mounted.

navydoc wrote in post #18029072
Nice capture and pp of a very interesting scene David.

Here's my newest toy...it arrived about 30 minutes ago.

I decided not to go too crazy and attach the 85mm f1.4 GM lens on it...just yet anyway.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/GUUW​Te New toy by Gene, on Flickr

The 2.8/35 looks like the perfect fit. That makes a great walkaround combo.
Please do let us know how you like the 6300 (specially how the AF works for you with different lenses).

David Arbogast wrote in post #18029080
Thanks! Yeah the Sigma has been nothing but brilliant so far. Case in point, I can take the ultra-sharp LE cityscape images in one moment, but shoot the same place handheld at f/1.4 to capture more of the people/nightlife. It's the latter that I was hired to capture. It's funny; my prefered images don't have cars or people (light trails are great though!), but the organization I am shooting for (during my KC stay) wants predominately people shots. The Sigma 20mm has been amazing for both.

I did make one mistake though - while at Union Station - there were some shots I couldn't get because I didn't have my 16-35mm on hand (had the 35L II with me instead).

Should have mentioned that the shot was taken using my RRS Pocket Pod. Between that and the RRS Multi-clamp I am able to skip schlepping a tripod and probably get cooler images because the limitations make me work harder to get more interesting views.

I think Batis 18 is going to be incredible for you and Eddie, looking forward to your shots.

Congrats Gene. Looks fantastic with the little 35mm mounted.

Very cool stuff, David. I have a small table tripod on order this week for that same kind of purpose:
http://www.amazon.com …tle_2&smid=A35M​44192ANPZX

I am curious about this clamp but could not find it on the RRS website. Do you have a link?

Last one from my San Clemente visit last weekend.

CV 15 III.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/GULL​z5

navydoc wrote in post #18029072
Nice capture and pp of a very interesting scene David.

Here's my newest toy...it arrived about 30 minutes ago.

I decided not to go too crazy and attach the 85mm f1.4 GM lens on it...just yet anyway.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/GUUW​Te New toy by Gene, on Flickr

your going to love it with the 85

Puckman wrote in post #18029083
I am curious about this clamp but could not find it on the RRS website. Do you have a link?

Last one from my San Clemente visit last weekend.

CV 15 III.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/GULL​z5 DSC00125.jpg by Puckman2012, on Flickr

Nice! I really like that you composed it with colorful rocks in foreground.

I ordered my RRS multi-clamp with the flat surface adapters (LINK). The bottom one flips out of the way, so I can still mount to pretty large round railings. I've been clamping to just about anything: chairs, railings, signposts, planters, etc. You can even use a Nodal Slide to project the camera even farther over a railing, which is cool. So, right now I am typically walking around with a tremendously cool kit that includes the above-referenced RRS mounts, the Mindshift Gear Filter Hive on my belt, the a7R II and one extra lens, and a diet mountain dew...I can get a lot done with that walk-around kit until my dew runs out - but I keep a lot more in the car.

Puckman, Nice little series from that pier mate Makes me miss the coast!!

A7 - FD85

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/GU1d​Mq

LeeRatters wrote in post #18029130
Puckman, Nice little series from that pier mate Makes me miss the coast!!

A7 - FD85

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/GU1d​Mq

I was wondering why you weren't posting any more coast/pier shots like you used to. You move?