All in Technique

How to Extract Detail from an Image and Enhance Texture with DXO PureRAW 4

How to Extract Detail from an Image and Enhance Texture with DXO PureRAW 4

Thomas Fitzgerald
DxO, Technique, Software

DXO Pure Raw is a very interesting application. It’s primary purpose is noise reduction, and if you’ve heard of the software, removing noise from an image is probably what you most associate with the software. However, with version 4 they opened up a very interesting alternative use of the application. By allowing you to change the way the algorithm works, you can actually turn the noise reduction down and the detail recovery up, and the result can be a pretty impressive level of detail recovery on the right kind of image. I’ve been trying this a lot recently, and when it works well, I’m really impressed by the results.

The Problem with Many Photo Editing Tutorials

The Problem with Many Photo Editing Tutorials

Thomas Fitzgerald
Technique, Editorial

Recently, I was trying to record a tutorial on editing landscape photography. In the end, I didn’t publish it because I felt that the edits I had done weren’t dramatic enough for people to watch. In fact, I even had that criticism about some of my editing tutorials before, that the edits I was making weren’t significant enough. This led me to realise the paradox of photo editing tutorials, especially on YouTube or other socially driven platforms. Unless you’re dramatically changing the image or doing extensive edits, people will find it “boring” and not watch or complain. But the reality is, in most cases, restraint will lead to better images.

Photoshop 2021 Sky Replacement Tool - Use Sky Replacement to Fix a Burnt Out Sky

Photoshop 2021 Sky Replacement Tool - Use Sky Replacement to Fix a Burnt Out Sky

Thomas Fitzgerald
Photoshop, Technique, Software

One of the tools recently added to Photoshop was a new AI-based sky replacement feature. Similar to the headline feature in Luminar, it allows you to replace a sky without complex masking. While sky replacement has gotten something of a bad name recently, it can actually be useful for quickly fixing an otherwise problematic image. In this case, I use it to replace an overexposed sky with a similar one and salvage a photo with a minimal amount of work.

Making Something From Nothing: Fixing a Dull Photo & Why I use Different Tools

Making Something From Nothing: Fixing a Dull Photo & Why I use Different Tools

Thomas Fitzgerald
Software, Technique, Tips, Lightroom

I finally managed to get out of our local virus induce containment this past weekend. We went for a walk by the sea, and while I brought my camera with me, I hadn’t really intended to take photos, so when I did, it was more of an off the cuff snapshot, than an intentional photo shoot. At first glance, the photos I took were pretty “throw away”, but after some playing around I managed to create a pretty good (in my opinion) image from something that started off as a dull and boring shot.

How to Pixel Peep Responsibly

How to Pixel Peep Responsibly

Thomas Fitzgerald
Technique, Software

The term “pixel peeping” is one of those loaded terms in photography. Like “chimping” it has become an insult used by photographers to cast shade on others. Also, like chimping, the “evils” of pixel peeping have been blown out of proportion. The actual act of viewing an image at 100% on a screen actually has some valuable merits; however, it’s also essential to understand its value and limitations.

Why You Should Use a Histogram with an EVF on a Mirrorless Camera

Why You Should Use a Histogram with an EVF on a Mirrorless Camera

Thomas Fitzgerald
Gear, Tips, Technique

I’ve seen a few posts lately complaining about new mirrorless cameras not exposing properly compared to what the user is seeing in the EVF. It seems that in a few instances, people are judging exposure purely by what they’re seeing in the viewfinder. Even if you are also using the included light meter, you may still see a different result when looking at images later on your computer. I call this the EVF effect, and if you’re shooting mirrorless, it’s something you need to be aware of.