Linear Profiles for Leica

[PeterHatt]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

After reading this article by Tony kuper explaining Linear profiles I have downloaded and imported the Q3 43 linear profile into Camera Raw. It seem good ( remember by design it will look  flat at first ) the logic behind using a linear profile to me is convincing, is  anyone else using a linear profile if so any opinions ?

https://tonykuyper.wordpress.com/2021/07/23/the-linear-profile-a-new-beginning-in-light-room-and-camera-raw/

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[helged]

1 hour ago, PeterHatt said:

After reading this article by Tony kuper explaining Linear profiles I have downloaded and imported the Q3 43 linear profile into Camera Raw. It seem good ( remember by design it will look  flat at first ) the logic behind using a linear profile to me is convincing, is  anyone else using a linear profile if so any opinions ?

https://tonykuyper.wordpress.com/2021/07/23/the-linear-profile-a-new-beginning-in-light-room-and-camera-raw/

I typically use linear profiles with tricky highlights. Linear profiles require quite some massaging in post; I typically start with some basic and global adjustments in Lightroom, followed by more detailed and tailored adjustments in Photoshop. One example where a linear profile was useful follows in the link below (post 4178; captured with S3, but it could equally well have been an image taken with SLx or Qx). 

For linear - as well as other profiles - I quite often use Cobalt profiles (but also Tony Kuper's linear profile).

 

[PeterHatt]

44 minutes ago, helged said:

I typically use linear profiles with tricky highlights. Linear profiles require quite some massaging in post; I typically start with some basic and global adjustments in Lightroom, followed by more detailed and tailored adjustments in Photoshop. One example where a linear profile was useful follows in the link below (post 4178; captured with S3, but it could equally well have been an image taken with SLx or Qx). 

For linear - as well as other profiles - I quite often use Cobalt profiles (but also Tony Kuper's linear profile).

 

Excellent photo👍

So as I understand using a linear profile can give you more dynamic range, which in certain lighting conditions on a photo is a definite advantage ?

[helged]

4 hours ago, PeterHatt said:

Excellent photo👍

So as I understand using a linear profile can give you more dynamic range, which in certain lighting conditions on a photo is a definite advantage ?

Yes, a linear profile gives you more freedom to put highlight (and shadows or midtones) at your liking. But you also have to tweak many/most of the post processing parameters, including contrast and - not to forget - colours. So a linear profile is far from free lunch; be prepared to spend quite some time with post processing! It's definitely a learning curve, sometimes I realise that my post processing isn't up to the task, so then I end up by using one of the default profiles in Lightroom or, more often, one of the many profiles provided by Cobalt.

[PeterHatt]

26 minutes ago, helged said:

But you also have to tweak many/most of the post processing parameters, including contrast and - not to forget - colours. So a linear profile is far from free lunch; be prepared to spend quite some time with post processing

I will enjoy learning, experimenting, and I’m also aware that it’s not needed in most photos