Greg Scott

Greg Scott

Yachats, Oregon

Amateur photographer, retired on the road less traveled; currently shooting with Sony mirrorless gear

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  • Greg Scott
    Greg Scott
    Participant
    Posts: 25
    New Article Announcements & Discussions
    on: September 14, 2023 at 6:35 pm

    It is telling that I mark the start of my photo journey at the point I left film and pick up my first digital camera.  That happened about 2002.  In 1996 I got serious about photography when I bought a Nikon D-70 but struggled with a lack of real control over the final print.

    My interest in photography is rooted in wanting to become an artist.  I tell people that 40% of the final image is based on what I capture in camera.  The real magic happens in post.  For me, this option never existed when I was shooting film.  Early training for me stressed that my images should tell a story.  So my composition looks for elements to achieve that end.

    Last night I was working on an image shot in the Pantanal of Brazil where we were looking for jaguar.  I had a good shot of a female with a large cub in tall grass masking their faces.  Because we were shooting from a boat that was rolling a bit, the best shot of the cats didn’t have any space above their heads.  Our guide suggested that Photoshop’s generative fill might be a good solution for that problem.  One of mom’s eyes was closed and the bright green background was a distraction.  All of these issues were easily resolved resulting in what might just be the best jaguar image of my trip.

    If I had been shooting film, I probably would not have spent any time considering this image.  However with a clear idea of what I wanted out of this image and the right tools to get the job done, I believe I now have a great image of a jaguar and a cub.

    On the road less traveled....

    Greg Scott
    Greg Scott
    Participant
    Posts: 25
    Re: Capture One’s NEW License Options (Terrible)
    Reply #1 on: June 13, 2023 at 7:26 pm

    I agree with Mark Segal’s comment that there isn’t a significant difference in the three main RAW processing apps. I originally choose C1 because I liked their asset manager and at the time LR didn’t offer an option to store files outside LR. Since my Feb. note on this topic, I have discovered DxO’s RAW processor (Pure RAW) which, I believe, does a better job at noise reduction, lens correction, and a few other basic adjustments. This is enough improvement for me to justify first batch processing through Pure RAW, then importing the resulting DNG to C1 for asset management and minor editing, and finally exporting to PS for finish work. So sticking with C1 lifetime license work fine. Running files through Pure RAW results in a DNG so I side step the need for new camera RAW profiles for C1 and the rest of the work flow is what I have been using for many years. I also agree with those that have said my decision has never been driven by the cost of C1. It is all about the editing process that best fits my work flow and yields the best outcome for me.

    On the road less traveled....

    Greg Scott
    Greg Scott
    Participant
    Posts: 25
    Re: Capture One’s NEW License Options (Terrible)
    Reply #2 on: February 13, 2023 at 7:14 pm

    I believe I have read most of the posts and understand the options.  At this point, I don’t have the time or the energy for a major processing shift especially one that includes a new asset management system.  So I am going to stick with my current C1 perpetual license.  Most of my processing occurs in Photoshop so this essentially results in minimal change.  I am finally becoming proficient with Blend If  which is proving to be a real game changer for me and I don’t believe is supported in Lightroom.  I will continue to monitor this discussion for news about this topic.

    Greg Scott

    On the road less traveled....

    Greg Scott
    Greg Scott
    Participant
    Posts: 25
    Re: Capture One’s NEW License Options (Terrible)
    Reply #3 on: January 22, 2023 at 2:06 pm

    C1’s support for local adjustments and masks makes a move decision a little more complicated.  I plan to hold on to my current C1 license and move to LR / PS for new work.  I do find PS mask options more flexible and have always done all of my finish work in PS.

    On the road less traveled....

    Greg Scott
    Greg Scott
    Participant
    Posts: 25
    Re: Capture One’s NEW License Options (Terrible)
    Reply #4 on: January 19, 2023 at 9:01 pm

    The cost of the software isn’t an issue for me.  As a former IT manager of a software development group, I agree that nothing is static in the world of software.  Giving up software updates also means no access to RAW profiles for new cameras.  I am simply trying to fully understand the implications of both C1 options and the consequences of a significant change in my workflow.

    One of the real values if C1 is the ability to make targeted adjustments using layers and their masking options are also pretty good.  All of this makes the decision more complicated.  Each of us has a different mix of needs / desires that we have to weigh in making a decision.

    On the road less traveled....