ACR work flow sample (and reasons for the order): I follow a method that is always the same in order to get the capture base I want before entering PS CC. Generic info: Subject: A soon...

Rongnongno Loc: FL

I follow a method that is always the same in order to get the capture base I want before entering PS CC.

Generic info:
Subject: A soon to be dead cut flower.
Shooting info: Available under the histogram
Note: The high speed sync setting is used to kill the background.
Camera: Nikon D850, manual
Flash: SU-800 & 3 x Speedlight SB200, TTL mode.

Before ACR:

After ACR:

ACR is open with a raw file when the video starts.
MP4 sample 141MB Plays in your browser
MKV sample 64MB Direct download

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Optics
To me, issues created by the lens used is the first thing that needs to be adjusted. If not immediately all issues there will be trickling down. This would make it harder to correct.

This is always my first setting.
► Remove distortion created by the lens
► Remove chromatic aberration
► Defringe: I always check the right side, cyan, magenta fringe. If not, I do not bother with the left side (Green)

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Details
Adobe is really generous with its sharpening and noise removal. It needs to be under control.
► Color noise... THAT always need to be checked. The color noise is in the darkest area. I push the correction to '0' then increase the correction slowly. All color noise will progressively disappear, usually before I hit '20'. Sometimes I use sharpening at a maximal value in order to really adjust the color noise. In this case, if I had done that, the color slider would have been '13', not '17'.
► Noise reduction. Always at '0'. Noise reduction softens the image. It might be fine higher, but I just do not like the softening, at all.
► Sharpening. Always '0' I use other method to sharpen, using contrast.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Basic
As a base I simply click on auto. This saves me lots of time.
► Black slider. My first go to when there is an issue (here the background)
► Dehaze slider. This is basically a contrast slider, same as Clarity and texture. I use the slider to get the global look I want. Then I round it up or down.
► Clarity slider. I systematically use this at half the value set in the dehaze slider.
► Shadow slider. I use it after dehaze and clarity slider, as both darken the image quite a bit. This is what I want, but the effect needs to be toned down.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

As is, if the capture has been correct (it is not) this image would be exploitable.

Notice that the image is sharp where it needs to be and no sharpening (destructive) has taken place.

The issue is the depth of field, stacking is needed to get all the details I want.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Final image

It is Not exploitable due to the issue mentioned.

The only edit is the radical suppression of the background to impose a negative space around the flower.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

An absolutely eye-catching, gorgeous floral composition 🖤🟡🖤🟡🖤

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

Very interesting, Ron. I have only one nit to pick with you: your use of the phrase "soon to be dead." It reminds me too harshly of my own condition. How about "seriously wilted," which is what I see in the mirror each morning? Just a trifle less depressing, wouldn't you say?

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I process very close to what you are doing. The only thing different for me is I use the texture slider first then go on to Clarity if necessary. The way my mind works the texture slider adjusts sharpness in the midtones and the Clarity adjust dark areas.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

cbtsam wrote:

Very interesting, Ron. I have only one nit to pick with you: your use of the phrase "soon to be dead." It reminds me too harshly of my own condition. How about "seriously wilted," which is what I see in the mirror each morning? Just a trifle less depressing, wouldn't you say?

Well, I am more thinking that if a flower is cut it is dead. End of story, no seed, no purpose other than some person enjoyment (in this case my wife)... Let's just say she does not like my way of looking at it either!!!

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Interesting. I shoot wildlife not flowers and often have to push the ISO and work at the long end of the Lense's range. I go to Topaz DeNoise first then to ACR. I go to auto first because like you said it gives you a good starting point. Highlights and Shadows are the first sliders I work then to Clarity and Dehaze and polished with Texture. If I've done my job, I seldom need anything else.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Still using LR6. First is lens profile. I hardly ever use the remove chromatic aberration option. Next is white point black point followed by exposure if needed. Eveything else is as needed. Sometimes I'll play with the noise reduction if needed. For wildlife, sometimes I;ll use LR but would go to Topaz DN for real noisey photos. I dislike the sharpness reduction that comes with noise reduction also. Especially for flowers/close-up & macro photos. Heck all photos!

Nice photo. I feel that the whole photo doesn't always have to be in focus to be a great photo. eg. taken at an angle with a nice smooth focus fall off.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Curmudgeon wrote:

Interesting. I shoot wildlife not flowers and often have to push the ISO and work at the long end of the Lense's range. I go to Topaz DeNoise first then to ACR. I go to auto first because like you said it gives you a good starting point. Highlights and Shadows are the first sliders I work then to Clarity and Dehaze and polished with Texture. If I've done my job, I seldom need anything else.

I'm with you.