I love making photographs! But I’m thinking my social media accounts would suggest no one else likes my work. Still, it feeds my soul so I’ll keep making images I love. I follow Tom as well just because I enjoy seeing someone out and about with camera in hand. Thanks for what you do and sharing your time with us.
Thank you for this video, comes at exactly the right time for me. I'm pondering on what to do with my online presence, I'm a bit sick and tired of it all, Facebook, Instagram, even my own blog, my own little kingdom where I do what I want. But then what? I enjoy making photos and editing them, but what will I do with them? Why do I enjoy photography? This video makes me realize it's about me, and nothing else. My photos, made the way I like them, edited the way I like them. The process of creating something. It's like I love the travelling more than reaching the destination. Or I like following the Tour the France, but I'm actually not really interested in who wins it. It's the journey.
Great photography is always interesting, but I think for TH-cam and in-person talks, there is an added element that really makes it for me. I want to feel like I am having a conversation with a friend, not hearing a lecture or "expert" offer the right way to approach things. Tom and yourself both do that very well. It is really hard to do - to engage in a conversation without any feedback from the other party. But it's what keeps me coming back.
Some very good lessons in this video! I will watch again and take notes. Both you and Thomas Heaton are great photographers, I follow you both and I follow some other photographers, the purpose with this is to learn from you all and to be inspired to find my own style and way to make photos. When I started with photography I fell into the trap of trying to make photos that others liked. Because I’m a very sensitive person that way almost made me stop making photos, hearing the words “no one cares about your photos” is now so liberating! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and passion for photography!
Thank you so much for the lovely comment and your honesty. I think a lot of us are sensitive, it's why we create I guess. I was so plagued by negative feedback for years and I'm now so liberated as well. Of course, nobody likes bad feedback, but I am now far happier with my own work.
I enjoyed very much the Dublin Explore the light, there was a very good variety with the presentations. Steve was also excellent, same with Bernard. Thomas is a very good story telling artist, and watching his videos is like watching a friend going on a trip, I like his simple and classy photography style and his relatable approach to photography. just an edit to add that I loved your book.
Having followed Thomas since he started TH-cam. If I'm extremely honest, his story telling and videography skills have come a very long way. His videos are entertaining to watch. However, I don't think his photography skills and an eye for composition are as good as many other landscape togs on here I could mention. If he was starting out on youtube today, he would not be considered as great as he is. He just started his channel at the right time and kept up with posting regular content.
Thanks for the honest feedback. I think if many of us started out today we'd struggle to make a mark. I was well known when there were simply far less photographers out there sharing content. I'd hate to be starting out today to try and make a living doing what I do. Most fail. We are so grateful to be successful. Tom's a far better photographer than most realise. I've shot with him on quite a few occasions and he can make really stunning images. People tend to just see what he shares on TH-cam and he's out there to make videos, not photographs. A lot of pro's only ever show there very best images, Tom shows everything!
@@bongjovi4168thanks for that. There’s always two sides. Being in the public eye is great for business, but it sure takes its toll. I appreciate your comments very much
The most sensible comment I've read for a while. I too find TH photography lacking impact. Nice guy, good story teller but falls short on capturing the wow factor.
Some very important truths here! Inspiration doesn’t have to (or mustn’t) lead to imitation. There are many so-called educators, mentors and role-models out there, who want to make you into clones of themselves, which doesn’t do anything for our own creativity. I've never experienced anything like this and have always been encouraged by my friend and mentor to go my own way and find my own voice(s), to explore everything, do everything, dissolve all boxes, be authentic, and create without limitations. I will always be grateful for that. You know who I am talking about 😉. For me inspiration doesn’t so much live on that superficial how-to level but rather on a deeper level of attitude, mindset, personal development and personal growth. So yes - it is important to stay open to be inspired by fellow photographers, other artists, and other human beings in general. And then it is important to take this inspiration and their passion and make it into something that is authentically US. Thank you Alister, for always reminding people to stay true to themselves.
While I've seen many images of some of these iconic views you mention, I do still enjoy seeing someone else's take on them most of the time. I tune into many of the TH-cam videos to see the images produced and the thought process that went into it. One of the reasons I like you and Adam Gibbs is that you both provide multiple images and provide your thinking process.
Lol to all the crapping on Thomas, the guy has inspired more people to get out and take photos than anyone else in human history. Nothing but good vibes from his channel. Peace and love everyone.
Another problem with comparing yourself to others is that you run a good chance of feeling like you fall short. If you make photographs for yourself this will be less of an issue.
Another interesting video Alister. DxO looks really interesting, particularly that ability to use a reference image while processing another similar image. Looking forward to your next video
Thanks Alister for your talk at The Big Day in Dublin. Luckily the lights were low as I was sitting there with my eyes closed listening and taking in your words. I have the book for the images 😍
I really enjoyed meeting you (albeit briefly ) and listening to your talk! Your message really struck many cords, no pun intended with reference to guitars, but it resonated with everyone in the room in ways that that their music choices do also ! Lying by omission was brilliant too !! Great video !
Thanks Alistair for your effort on doing these vids, always a good perspective to them. As you say, its not the final product that counts, its the fun or the effort in getting out, and if all goes well we may get a shot that we like, and if we feel like it, we share it with others, who may or may not like it, as i say Hey Ho, if not. Thanks for the info on DXO, nothing to loose giving it a go. Cheers as always.
Thanks for the great feedback, always appreciate. I’ve used DXO for years, and of course now with nik etc it’s a great suite. I’ll share more on Wednesday evening about the new PL8
The legendary Ansel Adams did go back and reprint images all the time and how he printed images changed over time. An example of this is Moon Rise over Hernandez, New Mexico as time past I believe he printed it darker and with more contrast, his earlier versions had more tonality. The images you processed in this set of images look great processed through DxO PhotoLab.
Absolutely, I agree with that. I do believe an image is a product of a moment and we do change and evolve (at least we should!!) I love the look I am getting with DxO Photolab (editing right now in fact 😂)
Great Alister! I really liked the images in the slideshow. I noticed that the images had a certain "coarseness of texture" that created a feel that I found appealing. It really revealed a dimension of the Icelandic region that I've never quite seen presented in this manner. I am working with the other suites of DXO. I'll wait until Wednesday to determine if I want to try the this new one.... Sometimes applications can be overwhelming.....
I’ve used everything over the years, and up until DxO though Capture One had the best colour science. I am really into PL now and use it all the time. Plus it talks to Nik and Film Pack, so I’m happy 😃
After watching this I went and downloaded the trial software😄. I have no need for a lot of fancy editing, preferring to do similar to what you do. Bringing out the essence of each photo...fueling my artistic soul, instead of chocolate box photos. I am looking forward to your next video, in the meantime searching all the youtube stuff on DxO photolab 8😅
I've really enjoyed your videos. It is why I don't shoot the iconic spots. They have been shot to death so to speak only so to speak. It's why I'm looking for different avenues and different places. I've recently started on a project in a very small rural town where I have to take the photos for a local governme and I cannot post them on social media and I'm actually really loving the experience because these images will be used later on in part of their advertising campaign and offices and so on I think the problem that I have identified is that we take photos and we instantly want someone to tell us how great it is and we've all fallen into the trap of that I can guarantee you even myself who's pretty smart Guy we want the adulation because, we like it that dopamine. We need to find a greater purpose in our Photography and that purpose might just simply be being in nature or printing to put on a wall. I'm unlikely to switch over to the DXO but I do like the look of it.
Hi Alister, I switched to DxO 7 this year from the LR. DxO PL is a great RAW processor for my Fuji X-T3 and Panasonic GX8 RAW files! I have to say that it produces better images that I ever get from LR. Looking forward to see you next video on PL8, as I am not yet decided to upgrade from PL7 to PL8...
Alister, is DXO a subscription software or do you pay one time? I spent my career as a graphic designer so I'm very familiar with Adobe products but I don't want to pay a monthly fee. I'm retired and just getting into photography and because I'm retired it's photography on a budget. Thanks for another great video!
If you just need raw processing then check your camera brand. Nikon has NX Studio (free) that e.g. can also create and edit profiles you would use in camera when not just shooting raw. Panasonic has one. I guess Fuji has one for their cameras with a Trans sensor. Etc. If that's not enough ... When you are in a systems migration situation of a significant amount of kit, where you replace a suite of kit relatively quickly, in say 24 months, then go to Adobe. They are the fastest with supporting new kit. DxO has reasonable Ts & Cs, as well as update/upgrade prices. C1 felt almost like a scam. I would have had to pay a version upgrade to get support for a camera already in the market when I could have purchased the then current version that did not support it yet. Note that visual differences between these apps primarily follow from profiles you apply. In Lightroom Classic (LrC, where Adobe Camera Raw - ACR - is the Develop Tab), ACR by default is set to "Adobe Standard". Well, today, there are 1248 "Adobe Standard" profiles for almost that many supported "cameras" (some phones between them, some cameras more than once for different firmware versions). These 1248 serve one purpose: to make all images look Adobe Standard - possibly neutral, not too saturated, and relatively flat. Differences between camera models may hint at small profile errors (made by their Adobe makers), or relate to real differences - that is hard to figure out without proper tools. An important thing to know about your camera is if it has an OLPF (AKA AA filter). If it does, then raw processing software will generally do well. Because the OLPF was invented as a way to make raw processing in software easier (at times when compute power was big, heavy, power hungry, and expensive - today you can have the processing power of 1990's supercomputer Cray One in the form of two NVIDIA GTX 1080ti cards of a handful years old - and your new smartphone or mirrorless camera may not be far off). If your camera has no OLPF then it produces significantly sharper images (if your lenses can reveal that). Look at the sharpest F-Mount lens in DxOMark and compare its sharpness between that lens mounted on a Nikon D800 (with OLPF) versus mounted on a D800E (OLPF Eliminated) - you might be shocked by the difference. Without that OLPF, with standard (like Adobe Standard) raw processing, you will see more noise in darker image sections, in blurry image sections, and in low contrast sections (because there is no-to-little reference for dumb deBayerisation that generally does the guessing of missing-from-raw colours). DxO have their DeepPRIME algorithm(s) that can do a lot better here (Topaz was a few years earlier with their DeNoise AI app and Adobe added the AI Denoise to ACR in 2023). I'd say that up to A3 print size you will not suffer from that grainy noise, though.
I also saw your influence on him a few months ago. No one cares about photography, as we would like to see them care... maybe ? A strange thing, photography, and creativity is actually not good for my mental health. Why? 🤷♂. Thanks Alister.
Thanks Pascal. That’s an interesting observation. I always find the relationship between openness and playfulness to be very positive. I do appreciate that if we go down the rabbit hole of exploring pain, or violence then obviously the consequences will probably be negative. As always all I wish for you is peace. ✌️❤️
I learnt a lot from Thomas Heaton and it was nothing to do with Photography! it was always carry a little box of fuses if you have a lot of electrics in your automobile!
Common now we all know you are an educator and Tomas is another TH-camr. Yes he’s passionate about it but so are 100 other TH-camrs that do and say the same thing. And this is why we subscribe to your channel. They all copy each other and end up being and doing the same old. Some useful info here there but that’s about it. You are the Bentley Alister they are Nissan every day TH-camrs. And if they were smart they would take lessons from you to up their game. But sadly pop stars have the most followers as they are there to please the crowd. But you are actually changing and elevating the crowd. Thank you man. We really appreciate you. ❤
Wow! That’s a pretty generous comment. That said, I think it’s still important for me to be present and appreciate what others are doing. I get easily bogged down in my own ethics and I need to be more down to earth. Tom’s a great guy who I have a lot of time for. We’re good friends and I admire him.
Whilst everyone can voice their point of view, I don’t think your opinion is very generous spirited …… there is a place for everyone and everyone is different. Alister is a true professional and very sensitive in his approach to photography and his work generally but I am sure he would agree in a humble way that denigrating others is not a fulfilling pastime and is not productive for anyone ….see the good in everyone. Thomas is also very dedicated and professional at what he does and has just as much to offer as Alister.
@@DamianLakin-Hall it’s interesting how the world is now. I expressed my opinion which you didn’t find to be generous spirited yet your comment did the same :). Is everything valid and have place in our world? Sure to some extent. But saying fast food is as good as organic food is not accurate as one can kill you. You can be PC about it and polite but in the real world doesn’t work. Just ask ppl if you give them free Bentley or Nissan see how many will say “both the same I’ll take either”. I agree with you we are all part of the world and bring different values but saying we all bring the same quality just different is incorrect. And that was my point really. Thank you
I agree with what you say and maybe it is more a case that I resonate more with Thomas’s way of photographing and therefore I was being defensive of him ….. maybe I enjoy photography so much that I don’t want the shine to be tarnished ……. Put it this way I am certainly of your mindset at work 😂
Thank you both guys for your generosity of spirit and respect. It’s easy for comments to get out of hand. I hear you both and for my part I believe we all have our roles to play. I am grateful I get to do what I do and contribute the conversation of contemporary photography. Thanks guys, I appreciate you both.
Haha, some may say. When I pull a body of work together I do like to maintain aspect ratios. It makes it feel cohesive (to me anyway) I don’t believe I’ve ever dictated to anyone how they should process or crop their images. It’s all about consequence
I'm cynical, but assuming this video is sponsored by DXO Photolab 8? All good to make images for you for yourself and your taste, I agree with that, but for photography to be successful commercially, surely you need enough people to like what you like, or you need to create/edit in a style that more people like?
No, you’re absolutely right to be cynical, it is sponsored by DxO, but as with all my other sponsors, I use it because it’s brilliant. The vast majority of photographers don’t shoot commercially, but they act with the same limitations as if they do. Most photographers I know who do shoot professionally mostly use their images as proof of practice, and they make their money from teaching (or sponsorships.) most of us these days shoot for what we like. If you shoot for a client you are limited 100% by their requirements. This is entirely different from amateur or leisure photography. Thanks very much for your input, I appreciate it
@@Alister_Benn Thanks for taking the time to reply, having recently dipped my toe into the metaphorical water of landscape photography, with the hope to constantly learn and improve, to the point where I can once again enjoy the relative freedom of self employment (I used to run my own stained glass design/restoration business) Would you agree that a youtube channel is essential in drawing a captive audience to then offer your products and services? in a nutshell, how do you generate a captive audience without a youtube chanel? would you put the time and effort into making youtube videos purely for the joy of making them for people to enjoy watching and learning from? surely its a marketing tool like TV advertisments? I did say I was cynical btw ;)
@@lemonlerdTH-cam offers various opportunities. I was reasonably well known as an educator before I started TH-cam and made most of my income running workshops and writing ebooks. I enjoy education and think I do it reasonably well. When the pandemic came in 2020 I missed 18 months of workshop income, so obviously needs must and I started a TH-cam channel. It is a bit like a gateway drug for Expressive Photography, I’d be an idiot to give away everything I know for free, so I touch on concepts and then go deeper in ebooks and deeper still on workshops.
@@Alister_BennHallo Alister, interesting discussion, in deed. I think in the end it is about quality and what you expect as a „customer“. I, for example, bought all your available books. And I am no idiot neither. I listen to your content because it fits to my attitude and my philosophy as a Psychologist. Noone is forced to pay attention to content that is only there to make money. I want to invest my money in „things“ that help me develop, if that makes sense. Thank you ever so much once more, Martin
Enjoyable as always. Love listening to the philosophy behind the images. Great stuff!
I love making photographs! But I’m thinking my social media accounts would suggest no one else likes my work.
Still, it feeds my soul so I’ll keep making images I love.
I follow Tom as well just because I enjoy seeing someone out and about with camera in hand.
Thanks for what you do and sharing your time with us.
Thank you for this video, comes at exactly the right time for me. I'm pondering on what to do with my online presence, I'm a bit sick and tired of it all, Facebook, Instagram, even my own blog, my own little kingdom where I do what I want. But then what? I enjoy making photos and editing them, but what will I do with them? Why do I enjoy photography? This video makes me realize it's about me, and nothing else. My photos, made the way I like them, edited the way I like them. The process of creating something. It's like I love the travelling more than reaching the destination. Or I like following the Tour the France, but I'm actually not really interested in who wins it. It's the journey.
Thank you for that, and I am really pleased the video resonates with you. I think I speak for a lot of us in that we lose track of why we do things!
Great photography is always interesting, but I think for TH-cam and in-person talks, there is an added element that really makes it for me. I want to feel like I am having a conversation with a friend, not hearing a lecture or "expert" offer the right way to approach things. Tom and yourself both do that very well. It is really hard to do - to engage in a conversation without any feedback from the other party. But it's what keeps me coming back.
Some very good lessons in this video! I will watch again and take notes. Both you and Thomas Heaton are great photographers, I follow you both and I follow some other photographers, the purpose with this is to learn from you all and to be inspired to find my own style and way to make photos. When I started with photography I fell into the trap of trying to make photos that others liked. Because I’m a very sensitive person that way almost made me stop making photos, hearing the words “no one cares about your photos” is now so liberating! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and passion for photography!
Thank you so much for the lovely comment and your honesty. I think a lot of us are sensitive, it's why we create I guess. I was so plagued by negative feedback for years and I'm now so liberated as well. Of course, nobody likes bad feedback, but I am now far happier with my own work.
I enjoyed very much the Dublin Explore the light, there was a very good variety with the presentations. Steve was also excellent, same with Bernard. Thomas is a very good story telling artist, and watching his videos is like watching a friend going on a trip, I like his simple and classy photography style and his relatable approach to photography. just an edit to add that I loved your book.
Thanks for the great feedback. I really enjoyed that weekend and was only sad it was so brief. We’ll be back for sure 👌
Having followed Thomas since he started TH-cam. If I'm extremely honest, his story telling and videography skills have come a very long way. His videos are entertaining to watch. However, I don't think his photography skills and an eye for composition are as good as many other landscape togs on here I could mention. If he was starting out on youtube today, he would not be considered as great as he is. He just started his channel at the right time and kept up with posting regular content.
Thanks for the honest feedback. I think if many of us started out today we'd struggle to make a mark. I was well known when there were simply far less photographers out there sharing content. I'd hate to be starting out today to try and make a living doing what I do. Most fail. We are so grateful to be successful.
Tom's a far better photographer than most realise. I've shot with him on quite a few occasions and he can make really stunning images. People tend to just see what he shares on TH-cam and he's out there to make videos, not photographs. A lot of pro's only ever show there very best images, Tom shows everything!
@@Alister_Benn this is actually an extremely good point that I hadn't taken into account. 🥰
@@bongjovi4168thanks for that. There’s always two sides. Being in the public eye is great for business, but it sure takes its toll. I appreciate your comments very much
@@Alister_Benn 🥰
The most sensible comment I've read for a while. I too find TH photography lacking impact. Nice guy, good story teller but falls short on capturing the wow factor.
Some very important truths here! Inspiration doesn’t have to (or mustn’t) lead to imitation. There are many so-called educators, mentors and role-models out there, who want to make you into clones of themselves, which doesn’t do anything for our own creativity. I've never experienced anything like this and have always been encouraged by my friend and mentor to go my own way and find my own voice(s), to explore everything, do everything, dissolve all boxes, be authentic, and create without limitations. I will always be grateful for that. You know who I am talking about 😉.
For me inspiration doesn’t so much live on that superficial how-to level but rather on a deeper level of attitude, mindset, personal development and personal growth. So yes - it is important to stay open to be inspired by fellow photographers, other artists, and other human beings in general. And then it is important to take this inspiration and their passion and make it into something that is authentically US. Thank you Alister, for always reminding people to stay true to themselves.
Don't I know you from somewhere? :-) Thanks as always for the lovely feedback and I am always in awe of your creativity.
@@Alister_Benn Yeah...might have run into each other somewhere 🤔 And thank you as always! ❤
@@astridpreisz519😂😂😂
While I've seen many images of some of these iconic views you mention, I do still enjoy seeing someone else's take on them most of the time. I tune into many of the TH-cam videos to see the images produced and the thought process that went into it. One of the reasons I like you and Adam Gibbs is that you both provide multiple images and provide your thinking process.
Thanks for that - yeah, I still see some that catch my breath and there are always ways of making something unique.
Lol to all the crapping on Thomas, the guy has inspired more people to get out and take photos than anyone else in human history. Nothing but good vibes from his channel. Peace and love everyone.
Absolutely. He’s an incredible guy.
Another problem with comparing yourself to others is that you run a good chance of feeling like you fall short. If you make photographs for yourself this will be less of an issue.
Another interesting video Alister. DxO looks really interesting, particularly that ability to use a reference image while processing another similar image. Looking forward to your next video
Yeah, it’s a great feature - video live now
Great to hear you in person in Dublin last week and some inspiring words of wisdom
Hi, this is an interesting vlog. I appreciate it, thank you.
Edit: I really like your shots 🙂
Thanks Alister for your talk at The Big Day in Dublin. Luckily the lights were low as I was sitting there with my eyes closed listening and taking in your words. I have the book for the images 😍
Haha, thanks for that... We had such a great time in Dublin. Longer next time
I really enjoyed meeting you (albeit briefly ) and listening to your talk! Your message really struck many cords, no pun intended with reference to guitars, but it resonated with everyone in the room in ways that that their music choices do also ! Lying by omission was brilliant too !! Great video !
Sorry it was so brief! We'll be back for sure...
Thanks Alistair for your effort on doing these vids, always a good perspective to them. As you say, its not the final product that counts, its the fun or the effort in getting out, and if all goes well we may get a shot that we like, and if we feel like it, we share it with others, who may or may not like it, as i say Hey Ho, if not. Thanks for the info on DXO, nothing to loose giving it a go. Cheers as always.
Thanks for the great feedback, always appreciate. I’ve used DXO for years, and of course now with nik etc it’s a great suite. I’ll share more on Wednesday evening about the new PL8
That was most interesting.
I will almost certainly get PhotoLab 8, so looking forward to Wednesday's video.
Great slideshow too!
Thanks.
Thanks Chris. Glad you enjoyed it ❤️
The legendary Ansel Adams did go back and reprint images all the time and how he printed images changed over time. An example of this is Moon Rise over Hernandez, New Mexico as time past I believe he printed it darker and with more contrast, his earlier versions had more tonality. The images you processed in this set of images look great processed through DxO PhotoLab.
Absolutely, I agree with that. I do believe an image is a product of a moment and we do change and evolve (at least we should!!) I love the look I am getting with DxO Photolab (editing right now in fact 😂)
Checking out DXO when done commenting. Thank you for sharing!
It’s a cool piece of kit
Great Alister! I really liked the images in the slideshow. I noticed that the images had a certain "coarseness of texture" that created a feel that I found appealing. It really revealed a dimension of the Icelandic region that I've never quite seen presented in this manner. I am working with the other suites of DXO. I'll wait until Wednesday to determine if I want to try the this new one.... Sometimes applications can be overwhelming.....
I’ve used everything over the years, and up until DxO though Capture One had the best colour science. I am really into PL now and use it all the time. Plus it talks to Nik and Film Pack, so I’m happy 😃
After watching this I went and downloaded the trial software😄.
I have no need for a lot of fancy editing, preferring to do similar to what you do. Bringing out the essence of each photo...fueling my artistic soul, instead of chocolate box photos. I am looking forward to your next video, in the meantime searching all the youtube stuff on DxO photolab 8😅
It does a lot, or you can do a little really well.
I've really enjoyed your videos. It is why I don't shoot the iconic spots. They have been shot to death so to speak only so to speak. It's why I'm looking for different avenues and different places. I've recently started on a project in a very small rural town where I have to take the photos for a local governme and I cannot post them on social media and I'm actually really loving the experience because these images will be used later on in part of their advertising campaign and offices and so on I think the problem that I have identified is that we take photos and we instantly want someone to tell us how great it is and we've all fallen into the trap of that I can guarantee you even myself who's pretty smart Guy we want the adulation because, we like it that dopamine. We need to find a greater purpose in our Photography and that purpose might just simply be being in nature or printing to put on a wall. I'm unlikely to switch over to the DXO but I do like the look of it.
Thanks, as always for your great feedback.
Hi Alister, I switched to DxO 7 this year from the LR. DxO PL is a great RAW processor for my Fuji X-T3 and Panasonic GX8 RAW files! I have to say that it produces better images that I ever get from LR. Looking forward to see you next video on PL8, as I am not yet decided to upgrade from PL7 to PL8...
Yeah, it’s all I use now for my own work, and I’ve used all of them over the years. Thanks for the great feedback
Alister, is DXO a subscription software or do you pay one time? I spent my career as a graphic designer so I'm very familiar with Adobe products but I don't want to pay a monthly fee. I'm retired and just getting into photography and because I'm retired it's photography on a budget. Thanks for another great video!
It’s not subscription, you pay a one off fee and can then upgrade when you want if you feel the feature improvements warrant an upgrade.
@@Alister_Benn Thanks! That's as it should be!
@@davidhuth5659agreed 😊
If you just need raw processing then check your camera brand. Nikon has NX Studio (free) that e.g. can also create and edit profiles you would use in camera when not just shooting raw. Panasonic has one. I guess Fuji has one for their cameras with a Trans sensor. Etc.
If that's not enough ...
When you are in a systems migration situation of a significant amount of kit, where you replace a suite of kit relatively quickly, in say 24 months, then go to Adobe. They are the fastest with supporting new kit.
DxO has reasonable Ts & Cs, as well as update/upgrade prices. C1 felt almost like a scam. I would have had to pay a version upgrade to get support for a camera already in the market when I could have purchased the then current version that did not support it yet.
Note that visual differences between these apps primarily follow from profiles you apply.
In Lightroom Classic (LrC, where Adobe Camera Raw - ACR - is the Develop Tab), ACR by default is set to "Adobe Standard". Well, today, there are 1248 "Adobe Standard" profiles for almost that many supported "cameras" (some phones between them, some cameras more than once for different firmware versions).
These 1248 serve one purpose: to make all images look Adobe Standard - possibly neutral, not too saturated, and relatively flat.
Differences between camera models may hint at small profile errors (made by their Adobe makers), or relate to real differences - that is hard to figure out without proper tools.
An important thing to know about your camera is if it has an OLPF (AKA AA filter).
If it does, then raw processing software will generally do well. Because the OLPF was invented as a way to make raw processing in software easier (at times when compute power was big, heavy, power hungry, and expensive - today you can have the processing power of 1990's supercomputer Cray One in the form of two NVIDIA GTX 1080ti cards of a handful years old - and your new smartphone or mirrorless camera may not be far off).
If your camera has no OLPF then it produces significantly sharper images (if your lenses can reveal that). Look at the sharpest F-Mount lens in DxOMark and compare its sharpness between that lens mounted on a Nikon D800 (with OLPF) versus mounted on a D800E (OLPF Eliminated) - you might be shocked by the difference.
Without that OLPF, with standard (like Adobe Standard) raw processing, you will see more noise in darker image sections, in blurry image sections, and in low contrast sections (because there is no-to-little reference for dumb deBayerisation that generally does the guessing of missing-from-raw colours).
DxO have their DeepPRIME algorithm(s) that can do a lot better here (Topaz was a few years earlier with their DeNoise AI app and Adobe added the AI Denoise to ACR in 2023). I'd say that up to A3 print size you will not suffer from that grainy noise, though.
I was at the Big Day, it was interesting listening to you.
Happy to hear that, thanks
I also saw your influence on him a few months ago. No one cares about photography, as we would like to see them care... maybe ? A strange thing, photography, and creativity is actually not good for my mental health. Why? 🤷♂. Thanks Alister.
Thanks Pascal. That’s an interesting observation. I always find the relationship between openness and playfulness to be very positive. I do appreciate that if we go down the rabbit hole of exploring pain, or violence then obviously the consequences will probably be negative. As always all I wish for you is peace. ✌️❤️
Good insights. Carry on. 👍🥂
Many many thanks
I learnt a lot from Thomas Heaton and it was nothing to do with Photography! it was always carry a little box of fuses if you have a lot of electrics in your automobile!
Haha, a life lesson for sure ❤️
Common now we all know you are an educator and Tomas is another TH-camr. Yes he’s passionate about it but so are 100 other TH-camrs that do and say the same thing. And this is why we subscribe to your channel. They all copy each other and end up being and doing the same old. Some useful info here there but that’s about it. You are the Bentley Alister they are Nissan every day TH-camrs. And if they were smart they would take lessons from you to up their game. But sadly pop stars have the most followers as they are there to please the crowd. But you are actually changing and elevating the crowd. Thank you man. We really appreciate you. ❤
Wow! That’s a pretty generous comment. That said, I think it’s still important for me to be present and appreciate what others are doing. I get easily bogged down in my own ethics and I need to be more down to earth. Tom’s a great guy who I have a lot of time for. We’re good friends and I admire him.
Whilst everyone can voice their point of view, I don’t think your opinion is very generous spirited …… there is a place for everyone and everyone is different. Alister is a true professional and very sensitive in his approach to photography and his work generally but I am sure he would agree in a humble way that denigrating others is not a fulfilling pastime and is not productive for anyone ….see the good in everyone. Thomas is also very dedicated and professional at what he does and has just as much to offer as Alister.
@@DamianLakin-Hall it’s interesting how the world is now. I expressed my opinion which you didn’t find to be generous spirited yet your comment did the same :). Is everything valid and have place in our world? Sure to some extent. But saying fast food is as good as organic food is not accurate as one can kill you. You can be PC about it and polite but in the real world doesn’t work. Just ask ppl if you give them free Bentley or Nissan see how many will say “both the same I’ll take either”. I agree with you we are all part of the world and bring different values but saying we all bring the same quality just different is incorrect. And that was my point really. Thank you
I agree with what you say and maybe it is more a case that I resonate more with Thomas’s way of photographing and therefore I was being defensive of him ….. maybe I enjoy photography so much that I don’t want the shine to be tarnished ……. Put it this way I am certainly of your mindset at work 😂
Thank you both guys for your generosity of spirit and respect. It’s easy for comments to get out of hand. I hear you both and for my part I believe we all have our roles to play. I am grateful I get to do what I do and contribute the conversation of contemporary photography. Thanks guys, I appreciate you both.
There is no law that requires a particular aspect ratio crop; feel free to move the margins to optimize the image.
Haha, some may say. When I pull a body of work together I do like to maintain aspect ratios. It makes it feel cohesive (to me anyway) I don’t believe I’ve ever dictated to anyone how they should process or crop their images. It’s all about consequence
I'm cynical, but assuming this video is sponsored by DXO Photolab 8?
All good to make images for you for yourself and your taste, I agree with that, but for photography to be successful commercially, surely you need enough people to like what you like, or you need to create/edit in a style that more people like?
No, you’re absolutely right to be cynical, it is sponsored by DxO, but as with all my other sponsors, I use it because it’s brilliant. The vast majority of photographers don’t shoot commercially, but they act with the same limitations as if they do. Most photographers I know who do shoot professionally mostly use their images as proof of practice, and they make their money from teaching (or sponsorships.) most of us these days shoot for what we like. If you shoot for a client you are limited 100% by their requirements. This is entirely different from amateur or leisure photography. Thanks very much for your input, I appreciate it
@@Alister_Benn Thanks for taking the time to reply, having recently dipped my toe into the metaphorical water of landscape photography, with the hope to constantly learn and improve, to the point where I can once again enjoy the relative freedom of self employment (I used to run my own stained glass design/restoration business) Would you agree that a youtube channel is essential in drawing a captive audience to then offer your products and services? in a nutshell, how do you generate a captive audience without a youtube chanel? would you put the time and effort into making youtube videos purely for the joy of making them for people to enjoy watching and learning from? surely its a marketing tool like TV advertisments? I did say I was cynical btw ;)
@@lemonlerdTH-cam offers various opportunities. I was reasonably well known as an educator before I started TH-cam and made most of my income running workshops and writing ebooks. I enjoy education and think I do it reasonably well. When the pandemic came in 2020 I missed 18 months of workshop income, so obviously needs must and I started a TH-cam channel. It is a bit like a gateway drug for Expressive Photography, I’d be an idiot to give away everything I know for free, so I touch on concepts and then go deeper in ebooks and deeper still on workshops.
@@Alister_BennHallo Alister, interesting discussion, in deed. I think in the end it is about quality and what you expect as a „customer“. I, for example, bought all your available books. And I am no idiot neither. I listen to your content because it fits to my attitude and my philosophy as a Psychologist. Noone is forced to pay attention to content that is only there to make money. I want to invest my money in „things“ that help me develop, if that makes sense. Thank you ever so much once more, Martin
as always: UBU.
Thanks mate. Always delighted to hear from you