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auto levels 5 Auto level tips for post processing

I was scanning some old images when the thought of using auto-level for batch post-processing dwelled upon me. So quickly to share my findings.

  1. Auto-Level is not mandatory

    Auto-level is not a necessary step during post-processing. When you get a good exposure right from the camera, auto-leveling can introduce artifacts into your images.

  2. Consider Manual Level adjustment instead

    In most software auto-level adjustment happens on per-channel basis. Thus red, green and blue channels are all auto leveled. This changes the ratio of these three colors. This step in turn alters, destroys the original image colors and introduces color cast.

  3. Batch post-processing

    There is nothing called batch post-processing. Only go for it if you are willing to get acceptable images. The only way to get the best result is to go the painful way of hand-editing each image individually.

  4. Use Auto Contrast instead

    Auto-level attempts to balance the image histogram on per channel basis while giving enhanced contrast. A better way to handle this is to go for auto contrast which does not interfere with color balance.

  5. Tap into the power of Curves

    The curves tool is a more powerful tool which gives realistic and appealing results.

Photo by samdiablo666

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Demystifying HDR: High Dynamic Range Myths and Truths

April 1, 2009

HDR

High Dynamic Range photography is a very interesting aspect of photography. HDR photos being out the never-see-before details in the photograph making it life-like. This post is dedicated to the subject and is an effort to shed light on some of the lesser known truths about HDR photography.

What is dynamic range?

Dynamic Range of a device signifies the ratio between the maximum and minimum brightness levels that a device can capture or render. Dynamic range is…

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Portraying weather and various levels of light

March 12, 2009
highkey Portraying weather and various levels of light

A high-key image by Ninja Please! (CC).

The topic needs some explanation before we proceed to the finer details. It is one thing to shoot a subject in various levels of light however when light itself is the subject, the entire gamut of generic rules take a paradigm shift.

Long time back in the earlier days of my fascination with photography, I choose to shoot a sunset scene. I set all the settings to auto and clicked.…

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Black and White Photography-III: Utilizing the power of colors

March 5, 2009
Sepia

Used under CC by isdky

Post-processing is not the choice of purists. But if you’ve chosen to shoot in color and convert to black and white, it is a part of the deal. Welcome to the third part of the series on Black and White Photography which comes after a big pause – let’s welcome a new member in the family.

To have better control for black and white processing it is advised to capture as much…

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Let’s take a break

February 24, 2009

Looks like we’ll have to take a break for a few days (4-5). Here’s a pic of my son who’s keeping me busy :)

My son born on 2nd Feb 2009 - Pet name: Sona

My son born on 2nd Feb 2009 – Pet name: Sona

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Black and white photography-II: What to photograph beyond the colors

January 28, 2009

black and white

Once you’re ready to look beyond the colors you’ll discover the beauty of the colorless world. Welcome to the second part of the Black and White Photography series. In Part I we saw how black and white photography fell a class apart from the colorful world, the kind of challenges black and white photography poses and a brief introduction to looking beyond colors.

When shooting in black and white it is essential that you have a solid…

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Black and white photography-I: Classy timeless pictures

January 20, 2009

Black-and-White

Black and white photography – An Introduction

The language of grays is classy, timeless, moody, artistic and captivating. Black and white pictures draw a lot of viewers’ interest, attention and reaction. Color photographs tend to be boring at times because they are the same what our eyes see day and night. Unlike color photographs, black and white photographs speak a different language – they portray the same information in a different style and draw our eyes…

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Splash Photography: How to shoot a splash scene

January 8, 2009

Splash

Splash photography is challenging and a lot of fun. The reason – it requires some precise coordination, the results are wonderful and you are going to have a lot of fun practicing some coordination with your assistant while witnessing some funny moments. Let’s get started with this fun e-workshop.

  • Items – You need 4 white acrylic sheets each of a size of 18 inches, a tripod to mount the camera, a glass, some water or a liquid…
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Best of AdvancedPhotography.Net in 2008

January 2, 2009

2008 witnessed the launch of AdvancedPhotography.Net and some of the richest content published on this blog. We tried to cover some of the basics in-depth to form a solid foundation as we and our readers grow as photographers and a community as a whole. Here are some of the posts that made it to the top on the list of popular posts.

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Studio Photography Essentials II: Portraits and close-ups e-workshop

December 31, 2008

portrait Studio Photography Essentials II: Portraits and close ups e workshop

Shooting in your studio is fun since you are in complete control of the equipment. We looked at the basic and essential equipment for a make-shift studio setup in Part I of this post so just in case if you haven’t checked it out we’ll wait.

  • Light – For this workshop you’ll need to have two other members by your side of which one will act as your subject and the other one as the assistant – call…
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Studio Photography Essentials: Tools and Equipment

December 26, 2008

digital ambient light meter Studio Photography Essentials: Tools and Equipment

Shooting indoors can be very challenging due to the limitations of indoor lighting. But indoor photography is one kind which allows you to explore your creativity to the maximum given that mostly the light sources are artificial and you can exercise complete control over them. While photography is all about light, indoor photography is also about the equipment you employ and how creatively you put them to use. In this two-part article lets get familiar…

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Landscape Photography: How to shoot landscapes?

December 23, 2008

landscapes Landscape Photography: How to shoot landscapes?

I have spent my childhood in the great Himalayas. Even since from childhood days I use to look at the mountains, rivers, vast forests, which we typically say landscapes; I always tried to see them in frames. I think that’s where the photography bug had bloomed. So, when I grew up and got hold of a camera, the first form of photography I did was landscape photography.

Landscape photography is really interesting and at the same…

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Breaking the rules of Photography: Before you break the rules

December 19, 2008

I was having a casual conversation with a renowned photographer. And he proudly said that it was all about breaking the rules – he never follows any rules. He said he does that because if he followed the rules he would never have grown beyond those rules.

Though breaking the rules is creative, lately I’m getting the feeling as if it’s becoming a fashion statement – such statements seem to be lacking depth and knowledge and irresponsible.…

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Tips to improve the background: Are you neglecting the background?

December 17, 2008

background Tips to improve the background: Are you neglecting the background?

Backgrounds place the subject into the perspective of its surrounding. However most of the time the attention of the photographer is mainly on the subject. But the slightest margin for error can result in a funny shot, wasted film or a moment lost forever. Let’s see how we can make the background better.

  • Choosing the background

    Backgrounds are used to place the subject into perspective. Backgrounds also help create the mood and feel in the photograph. Ideally…

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All you need to know and use filters

December 15, 2008

filters All you need to know and use filters

Filters are glass fittings that are used in combination with the camera lens to alter the image being captured. Filters come in various sizes which decide their compatibility. Depending on the type of camera you have your camera may or may not accept filters – all SLRs and some prosumers do.

Depending on the type of filter you are using the filter will have a certain effect on the scene being captured. Filters are used to equalize…

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Sunset Photography: How to shoot memorable sunsets

December 11, 2008

sunset Sunset Photography: How to shoot memorable sunsets

Sunset… One word can make a lot of memories alive in a second. No matter how many sunsets I see, I still get fascinated with the view of a sunset. Who doesn’t?

The reason why sunset has been one of the most interesting subject for photography is because

  • Every sunset is unique with the unique set of clouds or things in foreground.
  • It gives you infinite variations of colors in one evening itself.

So, here are the things you…

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RAW vs JPEG: Which format to shoot in

December 8, 2008

raw RAW vs JPEG: Which format to shoot in

A wise choice of image format before taking your shots will decide the flexibility and the control you will have over the final result. Let’s put a few things in perspective first. JPEG or JPG is an image format devised by the  Joint Photographic Experts Group. Pronounced “J-peg”, it is a compressed and lossy format thus giving you a image that is smaller on storage (not resolution). The JPEG format depends on the shortcomings of…

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The secrets of shooting during the Golden Magic Hours

December 4, 2008

magic hour The secrets of shooting during the Golden Magic Hours

Lighting effects can bring out some of the most unique, interesting and dramatic compositions. We have already discussed the various features of light in a previous article and it is essential that you understand light before you proceed with this article. So if you haven’t read that article I’ll wait…

Natural lighting can be the most dramatic and brings out some unusual effects during certain times of the day. The dawn and the dusk are two parts…

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Photographic Composition: Framing

December 2, 2008

framing Photographic Composition: Framing

There are so many compositions, and then so many styles of composition. How do you like your photographs in print, framed or unframed? It is interesting to see that a simple photograph when framed within a white margin on all sides generally appears more elegant and pleasing than its original. A frame helps draws the viewers’ attention to the subject. One style of photographic composition is natural framing.

Framing is a lesser known and practiced technique…

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How to make a mark with your photographs

November 29, 2008

I‘ve been asked this question many times. What differentiates a masterpiece from the rest? There are underexposed and overexposed photographs which are showcased while some of the technically perfect ones left out. I’d better try to answer this through a post.

Photography is an art. And just like any form of art photography is medium for expression. How well your photographs make an expression depends on how well the expression is communicated. While you may still…

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