| | I just got CS2 and I've been using the auto color, auto levels, auto contrast alot. My question is...in general is it a good idea to do auto levels, auto contrast, and auto color? or should you always do it manually for the best results? i know in certain cases obviously you do it manually, but for the majority of the pictures i mean, is it ok or a good idea to just do auto (as long as it doesnt make it look freakish for some reason obviously)? Thanks for your input. |
| | I would say it's best to get used to adjusting those settings yourself. I'm rarely satisfied with the results of the auto settings and they can spoil many a good photograph. It doesn't take that long to adjust levels, colour, contrast etc. so I would say try to get into the habit of DIY. :)
[Last Modified:
2/6/2008 1:36:47 AM]
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| | thanx ive been noticing just what you said. snapshots seem to really be the only pictures to use the auto adjustments on |
| | I sometimes use the auto functions just to see what the software thinks the image should be like. If I ever keep the auto settings - which is very rare - I pull back the level controls while viewing the histogram so I don't get blown out highlights, filled in shadows, etc. It's more of a quick reference for me, then part of my production. I do agree with nicholaspr - best to get used to correcting your image without auto. It helps you understand what the software is doing instead of blindly pressing auto this and auto that. But slight tweaking is only what should be neccessary. Overuse of these controls can create artifacting, posterization, etc. Get the colour, contrast, levels correct in the shooting. |
| | one thing that is endlessly helpful is being able to judge exposure levels by using a histogram. 
From Capture One 4 Every RAW program i've seen has a histogram above where exposure levels are adjusted. Ensure your images are exposed correctly by making sure that both ends of the histogram spectrum have information. The left side is black and the right side is white and adjust levels to so that there is colour information on both ends. For images with people its always valuable to crop to the face and check exposure for that specific area. Its important to have a complete amount of colour information there. Contrast and colour, in my experience only, are easier to work out once you've established a correct exposure over the whole image. Agree with Ron too, is helpful to get it right as possible, in-camera to avoid artifacts or banding later on. Is good practice, though, thankfully, not as essential as it must have been in the days of film, before the rise of RAW. |
| | After shooting in RAW, adjusting it as RAW, there isnt too much adjusting to do normally if your exposure was correct. Although I do play with select colors sometimes.. I dont like to use the auto adjusting because it rarely seems to get the results I like. |
| | After shooting in RAW, adjusting it as RAW, there isnt too much adjusting to do normally if your exposure was correct. Although I do play with select colors sometimes.. I dont like to use the auto adjusting because it rarely seems to get the results I like. i am with lephotography here, it is much better to tweak images in the RAW processor before you get them into PS, and I ham usually not happy with the results from auto whatever! |
| | As with lephotography, I shoot in RAW and convert using Capture One 4 and therefore only use CS3 for producing contact sheets. It's all about sorting out a workflow that feels right for you. Whichever software you're using I would suggest that you become adept at making manual adjustments - you'll notice how minute differences in settings have an impact on others. If you make the lunge to shooting in RAW you'll find that some of the better converters allow you to make batch adjustments once you've decided on key settings like your white balance for example. Good luck. www.adamcoupe.com |
| | It's all about sorting out a workflow that feels right for you. Whichever software you're using I would suggest that you become adept at making manual adjustments - you'll notice how minute differences in settings have an impact on others. I agree with Adam. I also use CS3 and shoots in the RAW at times and this is where I'm comfortable in using to adjust my shoots. It would be more difficult to make another adjustment with another software that I am not comfortable in using and make the adjustments. 
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