Try lowering the contrast in camera to either fit all the information within the confines of the histogram (or film sensitivity), if that's the intent, or create a softer look and wider tonal range. Too much contrast can make a good photo look more like a photocopy.
Are you suggesting that on average, the camera defaults for contrast are too high, or that in post processing there is a tendency to impose too much contrast?
vCraig, Both. I wouldn't say "on average," but if you want to include all of the highlight and shadow detail within the limits of the sensor, sometimes the contrast must be lowered in-camera. Take an image of shadows under trees and sunlit clouds; in all likelihood, there are probably more than 10 or 15 stops in that image. B/W film can fit about 12-15 stops and slide film about 8. I'm not sure what sensors are currently capable of, but the newer 14-bit (5D) sensors can capture a greater tonal range and thus have less banding when increasing contrast.
I would say that most of us want a picture that pops off the page and assume that using the shadow and highlight sliders are the way to get the result. Mid-tone transitions and details are lost in contrasty images. I have been experimenting lately with lowering the contrast in camera and then again in post-processing, overcompensating. Then carefully work the sliders, graduated masks, etc. until the desired balance between detail, tonal transitions and contrast are what is desired (read: subjective).
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John,
ReplyDeleteAre you suggesting that on average, the camera defaults for contrast are too high, or that in post processing there is a tendency to impose too much contrast?
vCraig,
ReplyDeleteBoth. I wouldn't say "on average," but if you want to include all of the highlight and shadow detail within the limits of the sensor, sometimes the contrast must be lowered in-camera. Take an image of shadows under trees and sunlit clouds; in all likelihood, there are probably more than 10 or 15 stops in that image. B/W film can fit about 12-15 stops and slide film about 8. I'm not sure what sensors are currently capable of, but the newer 14-bit (5D) sensors can capture a greater tonal range and thus have less banding when increasing contrast.
I would say that most of us want a picture that pops off the page and assume that using the shadow and highlight sliders are the way to get the result. Mid-tone transitions and details are lost in contrasty images. I have been experimenting lately with lowering the contrast in camera and then again in post-processing, overcompensating. Then carefully work the sliders, graduated masks, etc. until the desired balance between detail, tonal transitions and contrast are what is desired (read: subjective).
Cheers,
John