How do you "process" your pictures??

[Shelly]

I asked this in the RAW thread over in the chatter section, but I thought I would give it it's own thread.

How do you "process" your pictures?

Do you use a lot of filters or are you a DIY girl/guy?

I used to use a lot of virtual photographer filters, but now I am learning how to get more the effect that I want on my own using layer effects.

I don't have a specific formula, but I do nearly all my pictures the same way. I need to switch things up a bit so I want to know what you do!

Here is a blog post from Elsie on self-portraits and she shares her formula for the B&W conversion that she used on the photo in the post.

Elsie's Blog (http://elsieflannigan.blogspot.com/)

[Lauren]

Are you talking after the RAW conversion? If so, I usually use actions if I'm converting to B&W, the ones from PhotoBlast are very good or I'll use ones I've written myself based on the research I've done on conversion methods. But if I'm doing colour, which I'm doing more of these days, I don't touch it - never been a fan of the colour actions.

[robinforman]

I just have to say, thanks for the link- I used Elsie's conversion technique on a LO today and it came out fab!

[HillsCass]

I splashed out on the Kubota actions - maybe some of them I could have worked out how to do for myself, but it saves heaps of time and effort and ppl LOVE what they do to their photos.

[HolliDunn]

I like to do my own. I'm not a fan of the super saturated look myself but I do have one color pop action that I sometimes use and reduce the opacity waaay down on as a top layer.

I aways use USM and I use curves to make adjustments. That's usually about it, unless my color is off!

Holli

[suzyanneau]

I'm influenced by wedding photographers and tend to do all my own colour adjustments. I prefer a more natural look, so tend not to use a lot of filters. If I want black and white, I do this myself as well, but slightly different every time until I get the look I want. I really love photos with good light and love a punchy crisp natural look.

Suz

[AKSheridan]

I've been using Kubota actions a ton! there's a few Virtual Photographer filters I like, but I usually end up tweaking them to my liking. If I'm bored and have time, I love playing around and coming up with my own effects.

[clikchic]

For me it depends a lot on the layout, and what I think will suit.. I play with a bit of everything till I get a look I like, I use the diffuse glow filter quite a bit, and sometimes variations for monochrome prints in sepia or what have you. I do a lot of experimenting with layers and blend modes. I just keep playing till I get a look I like.

I do have virtual photographer but I feel as if I have more control if I do it myself so tend not to use it.

[Hollie]

I do different things for LO photos than for stand alone printed photos. I end up using a lot of layers and the eraser tool. I have a major personal pet peeve with blown highlights and muddy shadows, so I usually duplicate the photo, lighten it, adjust contrast, then erase any blown out part with a soft brush (opacity varies depending on photo--can be anywhere from about 10 to 100, really). I play with VP but also on a duplicated layer and I never use the predone settings--I always tweak them. I tend to choose "ambience" and then lower the softness. Then I change up the sliders that vary the lightness and contrast. I usually end up with something I like, if I'm going to like anything from VP.

[vshaw]

Every photo is different. Sometimes I use several different thing on a photo. I have to say if I'm in a pinch my favorites are Virtual Photographer and Midnight Actions.

[SarahMD]

Well I haven't much money at all and I'm currently saving up for my first DSLR. I use free stuff SOO much... and I use Optik Verve's Virtual Photographer Filters, but I too tweak them and a technique I do with them is I duplicate the original layer so that when I run the filter it only affects the top layer, for B&W and Lighter Sepia tones I'll adjust the opacity of the top layer so the color shows through lightly or heavily depending on what look i'm going for.

Examples:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/DavisFun2/E-ffectedPhotos/100_1777.jpg - This one I did the technique above and erased the top layer on the roses so they were bright.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/DavisFun2/E-ffectedPhotos/100_2314.jpg

http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/DavisFun2/E-ffectedPhotos/?action=view&current=1.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch23

Just a few - I hope you can get what I'm saying, lol. I tend to talk in circles.