Portrait Pro
Jun 2, 2020 15:16:53 #
kscanman wrote:
Has anyone tried this software? If you have what are your thoughts on it?
Yes, I use it and have done for a few years. It's excellent - as long as you don't over-process your portraits Keep the effects looking natural.
Jun 2, 2020 15:51:11 #
joer wrote:
I agree...the results can be spectacular if used sparingly.
Agree, use with light touch!
Jun 2, 2020 17:40:47 #
I have been involved in professional portraiture for all of my working life. Retouching used to be part and parcel of professional portraiture- it was usually expected by clients. Lately, it has become- some folk are pro, other are con and some are in between. a controversial subject. When you do this as a hobby or as an independent "artist" to retouch, not to retouch, the slightly enhance an image or to go at it a full tilt is entirely up to you and your own taste. When you do this for a living serving clients, there is no one philosophy or methodology that fits all.
As an artistic photographer, you should have some input into how you approach each subject but you must take each client's concepts, self-image, requests, and desires into serious consideration or you won't get many referrals and good commissions.
I explain the each client that there are detailed portrait STUDIES that reveal every aspect to the skin tone and texture in intimate detail-some would call it "character" and portrait that have more of a cosmetic and flattering approach. An unretouched portal is no necessarily unflattering but it may be perceived as such to some clients. In over 50 years and many thousands of clients, I have rarely encountered a female client who asked me to "let it all hang out- warts and all- and believe me- some of the guys are just as fussy. I have photographed elderly folks who would make an incredibly beautiful and interesting study in sharp focus un-diffused, and unretouched, however, they do not want to be memorialized that way. These super detailed studies do extremely well in print competitions but you can't take accolades and trophies to the bank. There are many subtleties between the extremes and the required skill and good taste even if you are using a preset or automated programme. A good portrait photographer must have compassion and respect for their clients' self-image.
So...there are folks who deride the use of flash as being flat and artificial. There are folks who think filters and made in hell, and of course, those who believe retouching is a form of photographic disfigurement or visual dishonesty, and post-processing is tantamount "fraud"! In many of these cases, it could be that some folks don't know exactly how to use or control some of the aforementioned software and hardware and become the" inept carpenter that blames their tools"!
The only real way to assess a particular software and discover whether is compatible with their own level of skill, their taste and style are to acquire it and work with it long enough to master and maximize its potential.
As an artistic photographer, you should have some input into how you approach each subject but you must take each client's concepts, self-image, requests, and desires into serious consideration or you won't get many referrals and good commissions.
I explain the each client that there are detailed portrait STUDIES that reveal every aspect to the skin tone and texture in intimate detail-some would call it "character" and portrait that have more of a cosmetic and flattering approach. An unretouched portal is no necessarily unflattering but it may be perceived as such to some clients. In over 50 years and many thousands of clients, I have rarely encountered a female client who asked me to "let it all hang out- warts and all- and believe me- some of the guys are just as fussy. I have photographed elderly folks who would make an incredibly beautiful and interesting study in sharp focus un-diffused, and unretouched, however, they do not want to be memorialized that way. These super detailed studies do extremely well in print competitions but you can't take accolades and trophies to the bank. There are many subtleties between the extremes and the required skill and good taste even if you are using a preset or automated programme. A good portrait photographer must have compassion and respect for their clients' self-image.
So...there are folks who deride the use of flash as being flat and artificial. There are folks who think filters and made in hell, and of course, those who believe retouching is a form of photographic disfigurement or visual dishonesty, and post-processing is tantamount "fraud"! In many of these cases, it could be that some folks don't know exactly how to use or control some of the aforementioned software and hardware and become the" inept carpenter that blames their tools"!
The only real way to assess a particular software and discover whether is compatible with their own level of skill, their taste and style are to acquire it and work with it long enough to master and maximize its potential.
Jun 2, 2020 20:47:46 #
joer wrote:
I agree...the results can be spectacular if used sparingly.
I add my agreement. It requires a very light touch.
Jun 2, 2020 22:22:19 #
kscanman wrote:
Has anyone tried this software? If you have what are your thoughts on it?
It does a great job of turning a normal face into a plastic wrapped princess. It’s really easy to over-process with it.
That said, it’s just a tool. It’s useful, if you learn how to use it tastefully.
Jun 2, 2020 22:50:07 #
burkphoto wrote:
It does a great job of turning a normal face into a plastic wrapped princess. It’s really easy to over-process with it.
That said, it’s just a tool. It’s useful, if you learn how to use it tastefully.
That said, it’s just a tool. It’s useful, if you learn how to use it tastefully.
It's great when there are problems like a bad complexion, and you can clean it up. But I completely agree with the risks of overdoing it. Actually, at age 73, I wouldn't mind a bit of overdoing on my own face. LOL.
Jun 3, 2020 00:03:58 #
azted
Loc: Las Vegas, NV.
I started using it after first processing in the free Sony version of Capture One. They work well together, and yes, it is easy to over do it. So for the OP, it is a good buy!
Jun 3, 2020 00:07:01 #
Other than Lr/Ps, Portrait Pro is all I use - sparingly please. Best of luck.
Jun 3, 2020 08:16:41 #
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Portrait Pro is fine software. There are, however, caveats so please understand the following.....
This was an excellent, intelligent response. Good job!
Jun 3, 2020 10:36:41 #
Harry0
Loc: Gardena, Cal
Kmgw9v wrote:
I own it, but rarely use it.
It can be used effectiveLy, but it is very easy to overdo, resulting in plastic and unnatural looking images.
Even a minor adjustment on the eyes, may result in an unwanted change.
ON1Raw portrait software is easier to keep real.
It can be used effectiveLy, but it is very easy to overdo, resulting in plastic and unnatural looking images.
Even a minor adjustment on the eyes, may result in an unwanted change.
ON1Raw portrait software is easier to keep real.
Yup.
Me too.
But if you have young female relatives, you can keep them busy for a while.
Jun 4, 2020 00:59:12 #
kscanman wrote:
Has anyone tried this software? If you have what are your thoughts on it?
I have used it for about 4 years now SPARINGLY, and my customers have been very happy. Yes, by all means you can OVER do it. This is a program where a little is better than a lot.
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