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Leica Q Typ 116

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An Oakland photographer in her studio. Lots of post-processing for a different look. M10-R, 35mm Summilux, orange filter, Lightroom.

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I sometimes get tired of standard processing on portraits, so I was trying a technique I saw in an Adobe Creative Cloud tutorial that adds a glow to subjects, via the brush and reduced clarity, and a "vintage vibe" or "dreamy" look to the whole image via lightened shadows, reduced clarity and added grain. 

Here's the shot processed normally.

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2 hours ago, eawriter said:

I sometimes get tired of standard processing on portraits, so I was trying a technique I saw in an Adobe Creative Cloud tutorial that adds a glow to subjects, via the brush and reduced clarity, and a "vintage vibe" or "dreamy" look to the whole image via lightened shadows, reduced clarity and added grain. 

Here's the shot processed normally.

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I personally prefer this second version...but the only opinion that matters here is yours 😉

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This past weekend (May 27 and 28) was Carnaval in San Francisco's Mission District. Q2 Reporter, SF40 flash, some Generative Fill in Photoshop Beta. 

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On 5/25/2023 at 9:43 PM, eawriter said:

I sometimes get tired of standard processing on portraits, so I was trying a technique I saw in an Adobe Creative Cloud tutorial that adds a glow to subjects, via the brush and reduced clarity, and a "vintage vibe" or "dreamy" look to the whole image via lightened shadows, reduced clarity and added grain. 

Here's the shot processed normally.

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I dont know about Adobe techniques by decreasing clarity but it's something by its own doesn't achieve an effective result. When ever the idea of decreasing detail is used in some effect, it's a good idea to retrieve some of the details at the end. I have used a method of decreasing clarity and Dehaze with more decreasing of Clarity than Dehaze. The image will appear lighter so less is good. You might want to use a bit of surface blur next and use the opacity to decrease the effect "to taste". Afterwards add another filter and the High Pass filter but only minuscule (until feint outlines appear in the 100% viewing panel) then change the blend mode to Vivid or Soft Light. If the image hasn't already had sharpening you will avoid any halos otherwise adjust the High Pass or take sterner measures by masking out the halo with clone stamp tool using "darker" blending mode both in the layer panel and in tool adjustments at top.   

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On 5/24/2023 at 4:41 PM, eawriter said:

An Oakland photographer in her studio. Lots of post-processing for a different look. M10-R, 35mm Summilux, orange filter, Lightroom.

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I can see the effect you are aiming for.  It would be interesting to compare this with a photograph taken at the same but using a Thambar without the post-processing: it might give just the look you want!  Obviously the perspective would be different, but you'd get the glow and softness.

Edited by Susie
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13 hours ago, Ken Abrahams said:

I dont know about Adobe techniques by decreasing clarity but it's something by its own doesn't achieve an effective result. When ever the idea of decreasing detail is used in some effect, it's a good idea to retrieve some of the details at the end. I have used a method of decreasing clarity and Dehaze with more decreasing of Clarity than Dehaze. The image will appear lighter so less is good. You might want to use a bit of surface blur next and use the opacity to decrease the effect "to taste". Afterwards add another filter and the High Pass filter but only minuscule (until feint outlines appear in the 100% viewing panel) then change the blend mode to Vivid or Soft Light. If the image hasn't already had sharpening you will avoid any halos otherwise adjust the High Pass or take sterner measures by masking out the halo with clone stamp tool using "darker" blending mode both in the layer panel and in tool adjustments at top.   

Can you show a before and after example of a portrait where you've done the processing you describe? 

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13 hours ago, Susie said:

I can see the effect you are aiming for.  It would be interesting to compare this with a photograph taken at the same but using a Thambar without the post-processing: it might give just the look you want!  Obviously the perspective would be different, but you'd get the glow and softness.

Thanks. I've considered a Thambar, but they're not easy to find. I have a Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 reissue, which I bought to try to get the glowy, softer-focus effect for portraits. I'm still on the fence about the results. Sometimes I like the look, other times it just looks like I missed the focus—which is all too easy to do when shooting at f/1.2. For example: 

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To me it looks like the focus plane is on the knuckle of her little finger.  It might be worth doing a few test shots to find out for sure where the lens focusses at close ranges, and keep that in mind for the future.  I much prefer the look of this to the digital processing of your earlier posting.  I think you should persevere with the Noctilux.  You have a knack for taking a relaxed, flattering portrait.

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I would not rate this shot as 'missed focus'. There is an inherent softness due to the lens used. In my opinion that is flattering. Too much emphasis these days is placed on critical sharpness (I include myself) and a good pic can oft be rejected because of it. The image above is improved by any softness as enhancing the naturally relaxed sitter. Further enhanced by the soft lighting.

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M10 + Canon 1.2/50 LTM

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M10 + Canon 1.2/50 LTM

 

M10 + Voigtlander ?2.0/28 Ultron II

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M10 + Voigtlander Nokton 1.2/35 III

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M10 + Voigtlander Nokton 1.2/35 III

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M10 + Canon 1.2/50 LTM

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M10 + 7A 1.1/50 [sonnar-type]

 

M10 + Canon 1.2/50 LTM

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M10 + Voigtlander Heliar 1.5/50

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M10 + Voigtlander Heliar 1.5/50

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M10 + LLL Elcan 2.0/50

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M10 + Voigtlander Nokton 1.4/35

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M10 + Canon 1.2/50 LTM

 

M10 + Voigtlander Nokton 1.5/75

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M10 + Jupiter 3 1.5/50 [sonnar-type]

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M10 + Jupiter 3 1.5/50 [sonnar-type]

 

M10 + Jupiter 3 1.5/50 [sonnar-type]

 

M10 + Jupiter 3 1.5/50 [sonnar-type]

Edited by SonnarGauss
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