Time to Talk Real: Photoshop!

[howaboutme]

I'm pretty sure "Save For Web" does that. Here's the data from Lightroom of that Lime In The Sky acro.

Nice image using the 18 to 200. The post production definitely brings it out more, especially the sharpness. Do you use anything else or does the 18 to 200 give you more than enough range for taking tank photos? I'm using a 5200 but would love an all in one lens for traveling (obviously not tank photos)...

 

[Pete polyp]

My guess would be heavily cropped, nothing more.

Exactly right, one crop

 

[melev]

Melev

Your photos looks great and I am sure it looks the same as what you see in person

Photoshop is a double edged sword. It is a must have to correct pictures with things like white balance and to make thigs the same as what we see in person. The problem is when a vendor who doesn't use it responsibly. And you end up with something like this

That's the kind of post I automatically scroll past to protect my eyes. :fear:

 

[melev]

Nice image using the 18 to 200. The post production definitely brings it out more, especially the sharpness. Do you use anything else or does the 18 to 200 give you more than enough range for taking tank photos? I'm using a 5200 but would love an all in one lens for traveling (obviously not tank photos)...

I have three lenses at this time. The 18-200mm is my default lens. I have a 105mm Macro and a 50mm 1.8 lens as well.

 

[Reef Pets]

PhotoShop (or other programs) is needed when processing photos, no arguing that fact. The problem is the overuse of saturation and the overuse of color enhancement. I use PhotoShop on every single picture I take because they are taken in RAW format, just like every other photographer. Some people just get a little carried away on the saturation slide making the coral look FAR brighter than it actually is. Melev's photo is a fine example of proper usage of PhotoShop.

 

[Xingu]

Here are 2 photos that I use in my photography presentation. They both had minor adjustments in PS but the colors were not altered. The only difference between them is the angle of the on board flash used.

PS is way to easy to abuse. All you have to do is move a slider.
Some PS abuse is easy to spot, but some that you think use excessive PS may just be type and location of lighting.

On a side note - I can take some decent fish photos but struggle mightily when it comes to corals. I have much respect for the photographers that can nail decent coral shots.
I have recently purchased a top down viewer, now if I only had corals to shoot.

 

[sante210]

This is why I no longer buy from "certain" online vendors.

I always try support local LFS .. but there's just some items you can't always get when you want

 

[Tempest]

Why do people try to make the thing they are selling look more appealing and valuable to potential customers? hmm. Maybe it has something to do with money. As long as people keep buying photoshopped corals, there will be photoshopped corals for sale.

 

[trido]

I think that almost all reefers can agree that over saturated frags from certain vendors cause a lot of frustration. But for as many of us that know better, there are twice as many new reefers that just don't have a clue. So IMO were probably going to be stuck with those vendors for a long while.

Also, with so many people using LED's set at 80% blue and 40% white (or close to). Photoshop is almost a must to make a coral look real. I'm surprised that with LED's it doesnt occur to anyone to balance the white closer to the blues at least for a photo shoot.

I have a couple examples of a good photo shop and bad.

GOOD

Here are a couple that I used an auto adjust option in Lightroom. On my laptop monitor the original pictures looked real washed out so I let LR color enhance them a bit. When I saw my posts on a desktop computer later I was embarrassed that I posted them. To me, they look obviously Photoshopped.

 

[trido]

Here is a worse photoshop. Light room did this with a quick click of "auto adjust". The first picture is what the coral in my tank looks closest to.

 

[melev]

Yeah, I don't trust auto in Lightroom or Photoshop. I did a simple tutorial of how to use Photoshop 7 years ago, but I'd like to do a screengrab video of what I do in Lightroom now.

 

[ReefMadScientist]

Great discussions and examples guys!!!

Melev - I definitely do not see anything wrong with the examples you posted. PS is okay for reducing blur and correcting other elements such as camera shake, depth in detail, etc. The problem is when colors are over-saturdated.

Simple PS is ok...but the one's where it shows a dull background and the chalice, etc. appears to have a nuclear radiation glow is what gets me shaking my head.

 

[s2minute]

As a business, you have to assume they do it to try and sell more corals and make more money. That being said, you would think they would lose customers and their reputation in the long run.

+1!!

 

[miyags]

I've bought coral frags on line that I wouldn't give you a buck for. I don't even want them in my tank. Would you be able to get your money for coral and shipping back through Pay Pal dispute? Why pay for shipping when they robbed you with disseption. Vendors won"t stop if they never get called out.

 

[marke]

Is it the vendors fault or the customers fault? I was at a recent frag swap and watched a customer and a vendor discussing a coral. Finally the vendor pulls out his phone and shows a flashy pic of the coral. That's what made the customer buy it? Who's in the wrong?

 

[ReefingItUp]

I've bought coral frags on line that I wouldn't give you a buck for. I don't even want them in my tank. Would you be able to get your money for coral and shipping back through Pay Pal dispute? Why pay for shipping when they robbed you with disseption. Vendors won"t stop if they never get called out.

+1000

 

[ReefingItUp]

Is it the vendors fault or the customers fault? I was at a recent frag swap and watched a customer and a vendor discussing a coral. Finally the vendor pulls out his phone and shows a flashy pic of the coral. That's what made the customer buy it? Who's in the wrong?

Both are, IMO.

 

[Jonreefer]

this was talked about a little while back
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/unique-corals/159138-dont-fooled-please.html

 

[ReefMadScientist]

Looks like someone was in for a surprise when they got theirs lol

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/ge...ls-surprise-box-w-photos-how-about-yours.html

 

[Big E]

One thing that hasn't been suggested and what I do when taking shots of LED tanks.....................just turn the blues down a bit to create a more white look. This will help quite a bit and also truly show the coral's colors.

Most of that blue light oversaturates the corals to begin with and give them a fake or neon look.