Picture Help Ideas...

Sibil wrote in post #18599910
Same here. I only have Photoshop Elements 12.

Like I mentioned above, it shouldn't be a problem for you to learn how to do most things, we'll just have to see how that works out.
Sharpening, and I think, Masks should be similar if not identical, the only thing I remember is that a long time ago Elements did not have Curves, but now I believe that it does.

Maybe this will help those that use Photoshop Elements...

I just watched this video on YouTube and it gave me insight on what the differences are between Elements and Photoshop CC.
Please watch the video and also read the Comments below because there are things said in there that will be really helpful, I think.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=mWIlagBcYkI

Also, you might want to check out the channel itself, it appears that he/they going into more depth on the things that can be done with Elements, etc.
I have not watched this particular guy before, but I think he did a very good job in explaining the differences, so his other videos may do the same.

This video gave me the impression that you CAN do what you need to do when adjusting things when using Elements, at least the latest version of it, to do Masks, Curves, Layers, and Sharpening.
You can also do most things in Elements with the exception of using CMYK (4-color printing) and certain Channel stuff that you more than likely would never use anyway.

Randy

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I think there is merit to this idea. . However, I don't use Lightroom or Photoshop, so I wouldn't really be able to help or participate in any way unless it is opened up to other programs, such as Apple's raw converter, Photos.

I use Photos exclusively, and would be glad to help others with it ..... but then again, it is such a simple, easy program that I doubt others would need any help with it. . But if anyone ever did have any questions or difficulties with this program, of course I'd be glad to help.


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recrisp wrote in post #18599956
Lyn, I personally have no experience in Elements, but from what I understand it is set up just like Photoshop, so it probably won't be a problem when you are trying to learn things.

I'm fairly adept at photoshop as well (product photographer, so do lots of editing) and unfortunately found out that Elements is much clunkier and more difficult to work with than the full PS version. There are things in Elements that require a long work-around as opposed to steps for the same thing in PS.

Very interested in this thread though, and will contribute where I can.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #18600100
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I think there is merit to this idea. . However, I don't use Lightroom or Photoshop, so I wouldn't really be able to help or participate in any way unless it is opened up to other programs, such as Apple's raw converter, Photos.

I use Photos exclusively, and would be glad to help others with it ..... but then again, it is such a simple, easy program that I doubt others would need any help with it. . But if anyone ever did have any questions or difficulties with this program, of course I'd be glad to help.


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Honestly, so far I don't know how to go about this, the way I had it worked in my head fine, but now, with it all so spread out, it's just not working for me, at least not yet.

As far as you not having Elements or Photoshop, that might be good, I am sure that you are not the only one that doesn't have either and doesn't use Windows, someone might not know about the program that you use. I know I didn't, when I worked in Photoshop I used a Mac, I haven't for a lot of years now though, so I am not up on what's used.

So, if this this ever gets off of the ground I am sure that your knowledge and help on that program will benefit someone, I know that I'm glad that you spoke up.

Thanks Tom,

Randy

greyswan wrote in post #18600179
I'm fairly adept at photoshop as well (product photographer, so do lots of editing) and unfortunately found out that Elements is much clunkier and more difficult to work with than the full PS version. There are things in Elements that require a long work-around as opposed to steps for the same thing in PS.

Very interested in this thread though, and will contribute where I can.

I'm sorry that I didn't see this earlier, I somehow thought that I saw all of the replies.

You are really very good at what you do! I looked over your SmugMug and you have it goin' on... heheh
I don't doubt that you're right about Elements being somewhat clunkier, it makes sense, Adobe's not going to give their stuff away, for sure. Still though, those that aren't going to have the need for Photoshop can probably get by without ever buying it. I got it free years and years ago in some bundle, back when it was $49.00, but I installed it and never used it, I had Photoshop so I didn't see the need. I didn't check out Elements completely this morning when I watched a couple of videos, but it appeared that "work-arounds" were going to be happening, but, in the end, it would all work out.
Personally for me, I wanted to buy Photoshop 6.0, but it is $1,000. (US) IF you can find it and I wasn't going to buy it for that, I mulled getting Photoshop CC for a long time, finally I got it, I actually think it's a VERY good deal, it would take years paying $10. per month to add up to $1,000.

I used to be a product photographer too, jewelry, crap, more crap, we didn't get to do as nice stuff as you have on your SmugMug, I was really impressed with your abilities. I did design/artwork, product stuff, Photoshop corrections, Illustrator, and some Quark. I'm glad those days are over, to be honest. In the places I worked we mostly did tile, and very little else, so you can imagine how boring it was to shoot that, it's not like your fancy, pretty stuff. (I really loved take on your, "Christine" car, and yes, I get it)

Whatever comes of this I hope that you'd be on board, you definitely have what it takes to help or lead.

Thanks, Chris,

Randy

Sorry I didn't see this earlier, and thanks for the kind words.

One thing product photography teaches you (especially these days) is speed, get it out there as fast as possible. Broken samples have to be fixed and crap has to look pretty, lol. I started with Quark as well, sounds like we had a similar work pattern. Lots of product design in my background and yes, it's a grind - I'll be quite happy to retire someday soon.

Looking forward to seeing what happens with this thread, and I'm in for what it's worth. I'm sure I will be learning a lot as well.

Cheers,
Chris.

Randy: just looked at your flicker site: you go for the chiaroscuro as well - must be the designer in us, lol. Lovely work!

greyswan wrote in post #18601984
Randy: just looked at your flicker site: you go for the chiaroscuro as well - must be the designer in us, lol. Lovely work!

I just sent you a PM, Chris.

Yeah, I had to look that word up, I didn't even know I did that! heheh

Randy

@ greyswan/chris

Your photos at smugmug are beautiful. The birds and the flowers are sunny photos. Do you photograph really in the sun? I like it, and wonder how you do it without blown out highlights. Maybe it's the climate, but when I try that here, specially in the summer, I have a problem with highlights and shadows.

Lyn2011 wrote in post #18602140
@ greyswan/chris

Your photos at smugmug are beautiful. The birds and the flowers are sunny photos. Do you photograph really in the sun? I like it, and wonder how you do it without blown out highlights. Maybe it's the climate, but when I try that here, specially in the summer, I have a problem with highlights and shadows.

Thanks Lyn:

I generally go out and shoot birds and animals in the early mornings and evenings, I don't shoot past 10.30 or eleven am generally, once the shadows get harsh I generally stop shooting. And I get plenty of shots that are blown in the highlights and shadows as well as flat, boring light

Your images look great - you don't have blown highlights, they look pretty much as what I would get- I'm not an expert outdoor shooter. I shoot RAW and adjust there, but even in Jpegs there's a lot of adjustments you can do.

If you have Photoshop, you can go to Image => Adjustments => Selective Color and adjust the separate colors to suit. You can also adjust blacks and whites, and change the luminance of the colors very quickly to give the image more 'pop'.

Adjusting the black point is often the only thing needed. Choose a color from the drop-down menu and then adjust the sliders at the bottom for lighter and darker, and add or subtract any of the other colors in the list (for instance, if you want a warm brown-black instead of a colder color in the shadows, just add yellow and red to the black to suit. Or add cyan to cool it down. Same for whites, you can make them a blue-white or a yellow/warm white.

I usually duplicate the layer so that I can compare the original. It's one of my favorite tools. Check your image at 100% to make sure it's ok and that it doesn't get 'muddy' especially when you lighten blacks.

If you have Elements, I believe that tool is also available. It goes a long way to adding 'sunlight' to images, lol.

Cheers.

greyswan wrote in post #18602378
Thanks Lyn:

I generally go out and shoot birds and animals in the early mornings and evenings, I don't shoot past 10.30 or eleven am generally, once the shadows get harsh I generally stop shooting. And I get plenty of shots that are blown in the highlights and shadows as well as flat, boring light

Your images look great - you don't have blown highlights, they look pretty much as what I would get- I'm not an expert outdoor shooter. I shoot RAW and adjust there, but even in Jpegs there's a lot of adjustments you can do.

If you have Photoshop, you can go to Image => Adjustments => Selective Color and adjust the separate colors to suit. You can also adjust blacks and whites, and change the luminance of the colors very quickly to give the image more 'pop'.

Adjusting the black point is often the only thing needed. Choose a color from the drop-down menu and then adjust the sliders at the bottom for lighter and darker, and add or subtract any of the other colors in the list (for instance, if you want a warm brown-black instead of a colder color in the shadows, just add yellow and red to the black to suit. Or add cyan to cool it down. Same for whites, you can make them a blue-white or a yellow/warm white.

I usually duplicate the layer so that I can compare the original. It's one of my favorite tools. Check your image at 100% to make sure it's ok and that it doesn't get 'muddy' especially when you lighten blacks.

If you have Elements, I believe that tool is also available. It goes a long way to adding 'sunlight' to images, lol.

Cheers.

Thanks Greyswan/Chris for your reply. I'll look into your points for the photos.