dancebert
Mu-43 Veteran
TL;DR version is the subject line and the last paragraph.
I'm 10 weeks into using Lightroom after years using GIMP and Darktable. I'm switching to LR. Between being retired and it was the worst part of the rainy season, I've spent a lot of time with LR. Until a few days ago I avoided presets because I wanted to learn LR.
I've recently started using SLR Lounge v5 preset package. I expect using presets will give 3 results. First is a deeper understanding of LR, color, light and shadow by understanding the adjustments change the image. Next is producing results not yet attainable with my LR knowledge. Finally is spending less time per image.
FWIW I prefer post processing that enhances the image elements which draw attention and guide the eye, and playing down other elements, both while keeping colors and contrast such that one's initial reaction to the image is the image, not the post processing. OTOH, I occasionally like to reduce an image to it's strongest elements, creating something many call abstract but what I like to think of as stark minimalism.
Before presets, I'd open an image, close my eyes to remember what I'd seen in my mind's eye at at time of shutter click, then make basic adjustments so whites and tint are accurate and to recover detail. Then I'd use that as the starting points for subsequent attempts to match the mind's eye version. All the instructional videos either stated, implied or I inferred the starting image was a SOOC raw file. I tried both ways.
For non-stark minimalist images, I found first making basic adjustments produced more keepers than starting with SOOC. Given my experience with post processing, LR, presets and my usual desired outcome, does it make sense to apply presets after my initial adjustments?
I'm 10 weeks into using Lightroom after years using GIMP and Darktable. I'm switching to LR. Between being retired and it was the worst part of the rainy season, I've spent a lot of time with LR. Until a few days ago I avoided presets because I wanted to learn LR.
I've recently started using SLR Lounge v5 preset package. I expect using presets will give 3 results. First is a deeper understanding of LR, color, light and shadow by understanding the adjustments change the image. Next is producing results not yet attainable with my LR knowledge. Finally is spending less time per image.
FWIW I prefer post processing that enhances the image elements which draw attention and guide the eye, and playing down other elements, both while keeping colors and contrast such that one's initial reaction to the image is the image, not the post processing. OTOH, I occasionally like to reduce an image to it's strongest elements, creating something many call abstract but what I like to think of as stark minimalism.
Before presets, I'd open an image, close my eyes to remember what I'd seen in my mind's eye at at time of shutter click, then make basic adjustments so whites and tint are accurate and to recover detail. Then I'd use that as the starting points for subsequent attempts to match the mind's eye version. All the instructional videos either stated, implied or I inferred the starting image was a SOOC raw file. I tried both ways.
For non-stark minimalist images, I found first making basic adjustments produced more keepers than starting with SOOC. Given my experience with post processing, LR, presets and my usual desired outcome, does it make sense to apply presets after my initial adjustments?