Just going thru your gallery on the gram and read the caption catching the line on some guitar playing at the end of this video. Wow! Very expressive and enchanting Alister! Beautiful work in both genres photography and music of expressing yourself friend! 🙌🙌🙌
I like the guitar, both the playing and those birds on the neck. I learned processing in the dark room in a previous century so when I saw it on a video and tried that +100 shadows -100 highlights I immediately decided it's not a good approach.
These videos are very good, thank you. Great approach and presentation. Being stuck at home these days (living in a garage) I have watched a lot of unsatisfactory photography videos on youtube. One guy in a B&H presentation said basically "I have been a professional photographer for 400 years, I did film, I get it right in the camera... I only shoot JPEG... NEVER EVER EVER shoot RAW." (to be fair that video was from 9 years ago). I lasted 1:30 in that video. I heard a rumor that National Geographic requires its photographers to turn in untouched RAW files so they have to be perfect.... then the editor makes them more perfect. Personally I consider NatGeo to be journalism rather than art... so the rules are different. Greetings from Oregon, US. The central coast of Oregon looks a lot like the coast of Scotland BTW.
Hearing things like that just make me want to plant my face in my hand!! This was such a pervasive stance in the 2000's and the one I grew up as a photographer rebelling against. It's such BS!!! I still hear it!
Augh...thank you so much for this. The more tutorials I watch, the more I feel I have to have my pictures look a certain way or they're not good enough. As opposed to how I want them to look....I needed this! Also, nice PRS :)
That's great to hear, and honestly, that's my aim with all of this, to enjoy the landscape and our creative unique perspectives. Be your own hero :-) The PRS is a joy!, as are the other 4!!
Enjoyable tutorial around H&S sliders and impact....... As you say, your first forays into Lr and the plethora of YT videos available all suggest the 100% moving if the sliders.... it’s something I used to do..... a lot. I felt my images always seemed darker than what I wanted or imagined and struggled to overcome this. Then I got a Nikon Z6..... an absolute step change in editing happened overnight.... almost impossible to do the 100% slide with H&S, so a learning curve was needed..... which has fed into my other editing from my other cameras, and better. Thanks for great content. 🙂
Watching this video I realize how much I have gotten into the habit of doing certain things on auto pilot knowing i was abandoning my own vision "because someone taught me I should always do THIS or THAT" in ACR. Gonna go back to some images and let myself go my own way. Thanks
I think that’s the greatest feeling I get in this business, when I hear you say “I’ll do it my way” - that’s what this game is all about, being us, and saying it our way. Happy shooting Phillip.
Very helpful debunking of the 'do it this way' approach to processing. I hadn't really understood why I found the 'rules' so unhelpful, but this really nails the point about making choices about content and purpose. So the point is clearly made, there are choices to be made rather than rules to follow. Thanks
Thanks again. For me it is more about understanding the perils of repetitive processing without thought. We should be in a. relationship with our work, mindful and aware of the consequences of what it is we are doing. Really pleased you're enjoying these.
I've recently discovered how amazing your channel is thanks to Adam Gibbs. I wish I had found this sooner, I'm loving your content. Unfortunately though, the link to your ebook doesn't seem to take me anywhere that I can purchase it (I get a 404 when clicking the book from that page). Is it still for sale? If so, I'd be very interested in if you have a link for me to get to it. Thank you, I'm excited to pour through your videos.
Hey Alister - Having watched a lot of videos from Serge Ramelli, he almost always Increases shadows by 100% and decreases highlights 100%, but then always sets the white point and the black point to their respective clipping points, which obviates some of the problems introduced by changing shadows and highlights alone. Instead, he creates a massively impactful image, with very expressive skies. crunchy shadows, and increased color contrast. I"ve never seen him increase shadows and decrease highlights without also reseting white point and black point. Without that further adjustment, the image looks crappy, as you have eloquently noted.
Hi Jeff, good to hear from you and I hope you're well under these difficult circumstances. That's a totally valid point, yet the one I am keen to reiterate is that anything we do as a "I do it this way every time" results in repetition and closes the door on many other variations of our expression. Should you wish to "always" make "massively impactful image, with very expressive skies. crunchy shadows, and increased color contrast" - then there is nothing wrong with the method. The same technique may however be less appropriate with a light key, low contrast image of an atmospheric scene. I love the open dialogue on these videos and much to be learned.
@@Alister_Benn I never said I liked the Serge Ramelli look, let alone his presets. He has been very successful with massive impact and orange skies. I had a problem with him when he first started promoting his presets. He keeps giving me a more current set and I continue to disregard them.
Expressive Photography , yep , what a drummer ! Fantastic musicians all of them , just listened to that piece of genius about ten times in a row , thanks for reminding of it , really enjoying your videos , going to try and have a go at the history brush when I’m off next week
FWIW, the Highlights -100 Shadows +100 technique is a workflow originated by Thomas Knoll (creator of Lightroom) and shared online by...I can’t remember...maybe Michael Reichmann. The idea was never to leave the sliders there. It was to start the editing process with what is essentially a stills version of a video file recorded with a log profile. And, like log, the technique was never intended for inexperienced users.
Timothy Linn absolutely, and the last sentence is the point. You wouldn’t believe how many people I’ve seen over the years leave them there as a default. Perhaps embedded after the HDR surge of the mid 2000’s
Expressive Photography Indeed. And in case it wasn’t clear, my comment was in no way a criticism of the point of your video. I just think it is an interesting origin story.
@@timothylinn I totally took it that way and in no way thought of it as a criticism. The historical context is extremely valid, and shows how much of well intended methods transform into mantra's with zero validity :-)
hixxy71 thanks for that. I’m working on a series of videos where I look at some of the hard and fast rules we all took for granted. I’m not convinced they hold up well to scrutiny!
Thanks for another thought provoking video. I'm looking forward with hope that the next video is going to emancipate me from the guilt of not striving to get my images perfect in camera. :-)
Wow excellent video thanks. I have made the mistake of thinking the best people to learn from were the most popular eg Heaton, Danson et al. They are great but I think I can learn a lot more from the likes of you and Adam Gibbs. I’ll never afford your workshops,mind. Where to find this book/ ebook, couldn’t see a link or on amazon?
I think everyone has something to share, we each have our own perspectives and experiences. I'm really delighted to hear that what I have to say resonates with you, I really appreciate your support. Many thanks.
Just came over from Thomas Heatons channel, fantastic advice , thanks for sharing. Please check out some of my videos if you have a minute. Just subscribed.
Your music is the best, love your videos. I am slowly learning and just keep coming back. A great teacher here.. Thanks
Just going thru your gallery on the gram and read the caption catching the line on some guitar playing at the end of this video. Wow! Very expressive and enchanting Alister! Beautiful work in both genres photography and music of expressing yourself friend! 🙌🙌🙌
Awesome thank you! Yeah, I need to play more guitar!!
I like the guitar, both the playing and those birds on the neck.
I learned processing in the dark room in a previous century so when I saw it on a video and tried that +100 shadows -100 highlights I immediately decided it's not a good approach.
Once again a great video, Alister. I like your approach to photography very much...shooting and processing. Thanks!
Nick Bristol many thanks for that, I’m running workshops right now so the production line has ground to a halt, but big plans for future content
All spot on Alister! I concur 100%.
Sean Bagshaw thanks mate, and you know your way around Lightroom ;-)
These videos are very good, thank you. Great approach and presentation. Being stuck at home these days (living in a garage) I have watched a lot of unsatisfactory photography videos on youtube. One guy in a B&H presentation said basically "I have been a professional photographer for 400 years, I did film, I get it right in the camera... I only shoot JPEG... NEVER EVER EVER shoot RAW." (to be fair that video was from 9 years ago). I lasted 1:30 in that video.
I heard a rumor that National Geographic requires its photographers to turn in untouched RAW files so they have to be perfect.... then the editor makes them more perfect. Personally I consider NatGeo to be journalism rather than art... so the rules are different. Greetings from Oregon, US. The central coast of Oregon looks a lot like the coast of Scotland BTW.
Hearing things like that just make me want to plant my face in my hand!! This was such a pervasive stance in the 2000's and the one I grew up as a photographer rebelling against. It's such BS!!! I still hear it!
I am loving your channel. Thank you for the conceptual and technical support!
Thank you very much for your support also. An audience for the message makes my job more satisfying.
Thank you very much.
You are a great photographer en musician, Alister. Both comes from the soul.
Have a nice weekend.
Johan Pannekoek that is really very kind of you. Sincere thanks.
Thanks for sharing.
Augh...thank you so much for this. The more tutorials I watch, the more I feel I have to have my pictures look a certain way or they're not good enough. As opposed to how I want them to look....I needed this!
Also, nice PRS :)
That's great to hear, and honestly, that's my aim with all of this, to enjoy the landscape and our creative unique perspectives. Be your own hero :-) The PRS is a joy!, as are the other 4!!
Enjoyable tutorial around H&S sliders and impact.......
As you say, your first forays into Lr and the plethora of YT videos available all suggest the 100% moving if the sliders.... it’s something I used to do..... a lot. I felt my images always seemed darker than what I wanted or imagined and struggled to overcome this.
Then I got a Nikon Z6..... an absolute step change in editing happened overnight.... almost impossible to do the 100% slide with H&S, so a learning curve was needed..... which has fed into my other editing from my other cameras, and better.
Thanks for great content. 🙂
Delighted to hear that, so pleased you find the channel helpful.
So happy for meet here and your works. Really inspirational.
Ramazan Kamari my sincere thanks, very much appreciated.
Watching this video I realize how much I have gotten into the habit of doing certain things on auto pilot knowing i was abandoning my own vision "because someone taught me I should always do THIS or THAT" in ACR. Gonna go back to some images and let myself go my own way. Thanks
I think that’s the greatest feeling I get in this business, when I hear you say “I’ll do it my way” - that’s what this game is all about, being us, and saying it our way. Happy shooting Phillip.
very informative and helpful, thank you
Thanks so much
Very helpful debunking of the 'do it this way' approach to processing. I hadn't really understood why I found the 'rules' so unhelpful, but this really nails the point about making choices about content and purpose. So the point is clearly made, there are choices to be made rather than rules to follow. Thanks
Thanks for that. Yes, I am all for debunking the myths! Most of it is lost in translation.
Exceptional video! You have completely changed my understanding and view-point on pushing Highlights and Shadows. Cheers, Keith
Thanks again. For me it is more about understanding the perils of repetitive processing without thought. We should be in a. relationship with our work, mindful and aware of the consequences of what it is we are doing. Really pleased you're enjoying these.
I've recently discovered how amazing your channel is thanks to Adam Gibbs. I wish I had found this sooner, I'm loving your content. Unfortunately though, the link to your ebook doesn't seem to take me anywhere that I can purchase it (I get a 404 when clicking the book from that page). Is it still for sale? If so, I'd be very interested in if you have a link for me to get to it. Thank you, I'm excited to pour through your videos.
Thanks for that, just head to expressive.photography it’s on the home page. Many thanks
@@Alister_Benn Thank you
Just found you channel and found you videos enlightening. Thanks
Mike Gosheron really delighted to hear that, many thanks.
Very informative video and a wonderful guitar player!
Peter Tym excellent, delighted to hear that.
Top video Alister, enjoyed watching this. Thanks very much for sharing.
Adrian Alford Photography many thanks for that, I’m really enjoying emptying my brain!!
Hey Alister - Having watched a lot of videos from Serge Ramelli, he almost always Increases shadows by 100% and decreases highlights 100%, but then always sets the white point and the black point to their respective clipping points, which obviates some of the problems introduced by changing shadows and highlights alone. Instead, he creates a massively impactful image, with very expressive skies. crunchy shadows, and increased color contrast. I"ve never seen him increase shadows and decrease highlights without also reseting white point and black point. Without that further adjustment, the image looks crappy, as you have eloquently noted.
Hi Jeff, good to hear from you and I hope you're well under these difficult circumstances. That's a totally valid point, yet the one I am keen to reiterate is that anything we do as a "I do it this way every time" results in repetition and closes the door on many other variations of our expression. Should you wish to "always" make "massively impactful image, with very expressive skies. crunchy shadows, and increased color contrast" - then there is nothing wrong with the method. The same technique may however be less appropriate with a light key, low contrast image of an atmospheric scene. I love the open dialogue on these videos and much to be learned.
@@Alister_Benn I never said I liked the Serge Ramelli look, let alone his presets. He has been very successful with massive impact and orange skies. I had a problem with him when he first started promoting his presets. He keeps giving me a more current set and I continue to disregard them.
Well the ending was a bonus , can’t beat a bit of Rush , well played !
Thanks so much, I’m still mourning Neil Peart’s passing
Expressive Photography , yep , what a drummer ! Fantastic musicians all of them , just listened to that piece of genius about ten times in a row , thanks for reminding of it , really enjoying your videos , going to try and have a go at the history brush when I’m off next week
Really love the guitar at the end - sounds awesome! :)
E.J. Peiker cheers mate, I’m amazed people watch it to the end!! :-)
@@Alister_Benn That was my favorite part - you are very good. I appreciate guitar talent!
E.J. Peiker I’ll have to up my photography game :-)
@@Alister_Benn LOL, I think you've mastered that as well.
Very well put across and I learned a lot... when we spoke,about guitar playing I didn’t realise you were a natural face melter! Awesome 😎
Ian Smith Fotografi thanks man, that’s very much appreciated
Thank you! I needed this as I have definitely been guilty. Those halos are hard to get rid of.
Doug Carter that’s great, an honestly it’s too easy to get into repetitive processing and not allowing rational thought to take over :-)
Fantastic tips again mate well put across! 😀👍✌
Paul Thomson Photography many thanks, I’m getting into the swing of it now!!
I'll be going back and re-editing some of my old images
That’s a huge compliment, thank you
FWIW, the Highlights -100 Shadows +100 technique is a workflow originated by Thomas Knoll (creator of Lightroom) and shared online by...I can’t remember...maybe Michael Reichmann. The idea was never to leave the sliders there. It was to start the editing process with what is essentially a stills version of a video file recorded with a log profile. And, like log, the technique was never intended for inexperienced users.
Timothy Linn absolutely, and the last sentence is the point. You wouldn’t believe how many people I’ve seen over the years leave them there as a default. Perhaps embedded after the HDR surge of the mid 2000’s
Expressive Photography Indeed. And in case it wasn’t clear, my comment was in no way a criticism of the point of your video. I just think it is an interesting origin story.
@@timothylinn I totally took it that way and in no way thought of it as a criticism. The historical context is extremely valid, and shows how much of well intended methods transform into mantra's with zero validity :-)
Thank you so much, you are an angel.
That really is very kind
The truth? Well, that's not exaggerated, you are definitely right and you drove your point home! And nice playing too! :-)
hixxy71 thanks for that. I’m working on a series of videos where I look at some of the hard and fast rules we all took for granted. I’m not convinced they hold up well to scrutiny!
Thanks for another thought provoking video. I'm looking forward with hope that the next video is going to emancipate me from the guilt of not striving to get my images perfect in camera. :-)
No pressure then!! It’ll be online before the weekend.
Wow excellent video thanks. I have made the mistake of thinking the best people to learn from were the most popular eg Heaton, Danson et al. They are great but I think I can learn a lot more from the likes of you and Adam Gibbs. I’ll never afford your workshops,mind. Where to find this book/ ebook, couldn’t see a link or on amazon?
I think everyone has something to share, we each have our own perspectives and experiences. I'm really delighted to hear that what I have to say resonates with you, I really appreciate your support. Many thanks.
Clicking "download this ebook" on your book page doesn't work.
Just came over from Thomas Heatons channel, fantastic advice , thanks for sharing. Please check out some of my videos if you have a minute. Just subscribed.
Really like your channel brother. I’m a small landscape channel too. Let me know if you want to support each other’s channels.