NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Processing & Publication => Topic started by: Michael Erlewine on August 11, 2016, 23:25:40
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Ming Thein has been my favorite photographer for some years now. We each are allowed to marvel at the work of at least one photographer’s work other than our own. Thein’s work is nothing like what I do, which may be why I like it. He is very technically competent, but something you can’t easily acquire is a good eye. He has that. Almost everything he shoots makes me realize and see the beauty that he sees, shot after shot. The ordinary is extraordinary in his eyes. I appreciate that.
As it turns out, Ming Thein is also very experienced in post-processing his photos, something I am not so good at. If you have read any of my stuff, you know I am all about the process of taking pictures, not so much in what we do with them later on. Well, that is changing.
Thein has published a series of video instructional videos in the last years, and I bought into two of them. And I learned a lot, but nothing compared to what I am about to share with you. He just came out with a new integrated system that works both in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Well, so I told myself, I don’t need any more instruction; I just need to concentrate on finishing up what I do.
Then, I began to read some comments from users who tried out this new system and I sensed that something was going on here I should be aware of. At $80 a pop, it is not that expensive, but I don’t like amassing tutorials, but, even so, I was intrigued and jumped in. Glad I did!
This is a series of many hours of instruction in post processing. And, like Thein points out, he really has come up with a clean, easy-to-learn, integrated system for finishing up photos. The fact that he finally gave Lightroom some attention drew me in, since that is what I know and use. However, all his Lightroom tutorial managed to point out to me is how great Photoshop is, great enough that I am switching over to processing in Photoshop. It is just way more elegant and useful. His new system works flawlessly in both Lightroom and Photoshop.
I am not connected to Ming Thein financially, but feel what he has done with his new system is so worthwhile (for me!) that I should tell some of you about it. The system is called “A3” and it is being featured just now on his blog, at this link.
https://blog.mingthein.com/
Thein also includes a wide range of carefully constructed camera profiles, including most of the cameras I use, and they are VERY good. In fact, not only is Ming Thein a wonderful photographer, he is a fine teacher and teaching me anything is tough. IMO, it is at least worth reading about his system. Let me know your thoughts if you try it out.
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Thank you, Michael, for this comment and link.
I have always enjoyed Ming's work. He puts a lot of thought and care into his work and his teaching. I'm going to go check out this new A3. I certainly could use some refreshers in Lightroom & PS. Finding the time is usually the problem. "-)
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Thank you, Michael, for this comment and link.
I have always enjoyed Ming's work. He puts a lot of thought and care into his work and his teaching. I'm going to go check out this new A3. I certainly could use some refreshers in Lightroom & PS. Finding the time is usually the problem. "-)
Another thing I marveled at was how he used dodge, burn, and sponge. I could not repeat it, until I understand he was using a Wacom tablet and pen. I had to get one and, sure enough, the pen is way more subtle and the way he uses (and feathers it) is very, very helpful. This is obviously the way to go, if I want to learn to finish my photos so they look MUCH better.
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Ming Thein is another "Pay as you Talk" "reviewer" whose only credibility lies with newbies to photography.
His reviews are biased and his methods skewed to reach the conclusion of his objectives.
His post processing is one dimensional and his methods do not offer any.......but any...... fresh or new techniques.
Any person from The Philippines all the way up to Brazil can run rings around his processing.....or photography for that matter.
You, Michael, are underestimating yourself and your Art. Ming Thein does not even come close to your heels in photography.
You, my dear Sir, are a genuine artistic and non commercial person and he fills his website with his paid advertising reviews.
I would shake hands with you anytime and not one time with Ming Thein.......not even with an Asbestos glove.
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Ming Thein is another "Pay as you Talk" "reviewer" whose only credibility lies with newbies to photography.
His reviews are biased and his methods skewed to reach the conclusion of his objectives.
His post processing is one dimensional and his
methods do not offer any.......but any...... fresh or new techniques.
Any person from The Philippines all the way up to Brazil can run rings around his processing.....or photography for that matter.
You, Michael, are underestimating yourself and your Art. Ming Thein does not even come close to your heels in photography.
You, my dear Sir, are a genuine artistic and non commercial person and he fills his website with his paid advertising reviews.
I would shake hands with you anytime and not one time with Ming Thein.......not even with an Asbestos glove.
Well, I respectively disagree with you. I have eyes. It is true, Ming Thein, like Lloyd Chambers and others work to make a living by providing information on photography of interest to the rest of us, and it is a tough livelihood. For me, photography was always a passion, not a vocation. I made my living as an archivist of popular culture, documenting popular music, film, and other areas.
I have actually read and followed many of both MIng Thein's and Lloyd Chamber's (and Thom Hogan's) equipment reviews and all of them have been more than helpful, and Ming Thein's are totally free of subscription fees. And they are accurate IMO and for my needs. Of course, our own Bjørn Rørslett's lenswork was where I began and I have learned an enormous amount from Rørslett.
Ming Thein's new workflow happens to be very good, at least for me. As we say, "Different strokes for different folks," and the remedy or antidote for what ails each of us differs. As you can see, it is here that can differ and find our differences. We are finding our differences.
Photo taken with the Nikon D810. Not sure which lens.
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I've been through Ming Thein's portfolio: excellent. A good addition for me, as he wasn't known to me 😊
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I wouldnt go as far as Almass, but I agree in his underlying analysis. A Colorchecker passport and some work in PS or LR will get most people to where Ming Thein is. They might also learn a thing or two about workflow. The only risk is in my opinion, that they find their own expression and not being a MT-clone.
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Agree with Børge's remark.
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Wow, I am amazed at the "attitude," which of course I respect the right to have, if not the opinion. I never thought to become a clone of Ming Thein. Putting his workflow aside, I find it difficult to believe that anyone who looks at his work does not see the brilliance in it. It just shows how different we all are. And, since he blogs a lot, and I read some of them, I find his words carefully thought out. When he looks at equipment, lenses, cameras, he is mostly spot in IMO, and I look at a LOT of equipment myself, especially lenses. Thein is very discriminating, to say the least in his reviews. I could understand the remarks if it was someone you criticize like the legendary Ken Rockwell, who sadly has never learned to color correct, etc., but Ming Thein is so skilled, at least in all the lenses that I also know.
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Thanks for the link, his blog is an interesting read
Michael, I think your images have superb processing, the colors you obtain are always beyond what I feel I can achieve
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Thanks for the link, his blog is an interesting read
Michael, I think your images have superb processing, the colors you obtain are always beyond what I feel I can achieve
I hear you, but do you folks hear me? I wouldn't be saying this if there were not a point to it. I don't know much about post-processing, IMO. Ming Thein, whose photos I greatly respect, enough to feel he is the best photographer (IMO) that I have yet seen. Not to say he does what I like to do, but I recognize natural talent when I see it. I have followed (and even conversed with Thein) on many lenses and what-not. Like Lloyd Chambers, he puts in the work and shares insights and photos, year after year. That is not small-change folks, as I see it.
As mentioned, Ming Thein made it clear to me that post-processing with a mouse is not up-to-snuff compared to using a tablet pen-brush, and he is right! I checked it out. His recent workflow works effortlessly in Lightroom and Photoshop, probably anywhere. My goal is to improve my own skills, not copy Thein's style of photos. He does very little close-up work, aside from watches, etc., which interest me not, etc.
I have never tried to make a living with photography, which I believe (for me) would have been very tough, so I don't have any professional animus toward Thein. I chose to be an amateur and I'm glad of it.
Like all of us, when I see beauty, I go there. I see beauty in Ming Thein's work, but I can understand that others may not. Vive la différence!
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Michael, You think the world of Ming Thein. So be it and it is your privilege to connect with whichever type of photography and photographers who touch your soul.
The world at large might or might not agree with you......and it does not matter....to each his own.
Having said that therein lies the rub:
1- Post Processing
2- Paid Reviews
1- Post Processing: You admit yourself not to know much about processing and yet you are making a judgement on the images of Ming Thein which are very heavily processed and comped. I hope you agree with me that to make a judgement on any issue, one need to be either very good on the issue at hand or at least to be somehow knowledgeable about the issue at hand.
2- Paid Reviews: Very unfortunately, there is a commercial interest at play with Ming Thein reviews which are skewed to achieve a certain conclusion.......and we will leave it at that.
I have no qualm about Post Processing as I am a heavy PP user myself but at least I am proud of it and do not shy from it.
I also understand the need for some people to make money out of Paid Reviews....but I do not condone it.
There is a huge pool of photographers who are great at PP and at shooting images and they wear their heart on their sleeve and call a spade a spade.
Our Bjorn could make a fortune with Paid Reviews and not once he agreed to steep so low........to his credit. This is a highly respected photographer who calls a spade a spade........nevermind Bjorn and let's look closer at another photographer such as yourself. Do you appreciate to what degree people respect you and you work? Have you ever commented or reviewed or published any paid piece of work........
Does Roland take any money for his website? Does the Good Doctor take any money to help and advise......and many similar good photographers.
Michael. it is with a heavy heart that I have to write such blurb and you have at least to give some of us the benefit of the doubt if not to accept the reality.
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I totally get it. It's not that I am not skilled at post-processing, just that it is not my "thing." My thing is the "process" of taking photos, which few seem to get either, so we all are alone, yet together.... alone together. I don't care if Ming Thein is paid or not for the reviews. My interest is in the review itself and what it says. I am a careful reader of Thein's work, and some of the areas he knows, I know on my own. I don't find him putting his thumb on the scale. Yes, he is enthusiastic, as am I. It is OK to do paid reviews provided you don't compromise your own integrity. I trust what Ming Thein writes about, because every time I have had the chance to check him out by using the same product, he is spot on, IMO.
I also admire the work of Lloyd Chambers and he charges to read his work, but he has saved me a small fortune and done work that I have no intention of doing, much of it thankless. Making money with photography is something I consider very difficult to do. Those who dare to do it, I respect, including many on this site. Personally, I don't envy them, but I respect them and always wish them well.
I get it that you feel the way you do and respect you and what you believe. It is fun to differ and discover our differences, no?
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Luv ya Michael ;)
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Where do you get your certainty from that Ming is being paid for his reviews (I suppose you mean he is getting paid by manufacturers whose product he reviews)? I have never had that impression, except for his Ambassador status for Hasselblad which he disclosed.
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I find that opinions like those that have been expressed in this conversation mean more when there is a body of work to back them up so I can see where they are coming from. I am not familiar with Ming Thein's reviews, blogs, etc, but after a quick look through his site he seems to be a perfectly capable photographer with clean post processing work. I have seen plenty of Michaels work and while he might claim to not know much about post processing I find his photographs to consistently be rich with natural coloring and hold as much detail as anyone could ever want, except for maybe Michael himself as he always seems to be searching for a little bit more detail ;)
Almass, if you are producing work that can "run rings around" said work I'd be happy to see it, if you have innovative post processing techniques I'd love to have a conversation with you about it with you and see if we couldn't learn new techniques from each other. Until then I'm afraid your opinion of such matters does not carry much weight.
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I find that opinions like those that have been expressed in this conversation mean more when there is a body of work to back them up so I can see where they are coming from. I am not familiar with Ming Thein's reviews, blogs, etc, but after a quick look through his site he seems to be a perfectly capable photographer with clean post processing work. I have seen plenty of Michaels work and while he might claim to not know much about post processing I find his photographs to consistently be rich with natural coloring and hold as much detail as anyone could ever want, except for maybe Michael himself as he always seems to be searching for a little bit more detail ;)
Almass, if you are producing work that can "run rings around" said work I'd be happy to see it, if you have innovative post processing techniques I'd love to have a conversation with you about it with you and see if we couldn't learn new techniques from each other. Until then I'm afraid your opinion of such matters does not carry much weight.
Thank you for your interject.
You said:
1- "if you are producing work that can "run rings around"
Please reread what I wrote and it says: "Any person from The Philippines all the way up to Brazil can run rings around his processing.....or photography for that matter.
To make it clearer for you, this means that other photographers on the planet produce similar or better work.
I was not referring to myself as I do not even shoot this type of photography.
2- "if you have innovative post processing techniques"
Where exactly did I claim to have innovative processing techniques?
I said that I do a lot of post processing on my pics.
Is it me or you who is misreading my posts?
3-"Until then I'm afraid your opinion of such matters does not carry much weight"
Please read your own statement to yourself.
In conclusion, it would me very much appreciated if you not read what you want to read but read what is written.
Thank you
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Mr. Thein certainly has created a "look" and is extremely consistent about maintaining that look. In many/most commercial markets, that is a requirement of professionalism. I am curious about his recommended processing method. I'm also looking forward to his future endeavors, in which he creates another "look".
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In conclusion, it would me very much appreciated if you not read what you want to read but read what is written.
Perhaps you are right. I suppose I should have just asked this, what do you get out of putting down other peoples process?
I hope you agree with me that to make a judgement on any issue, one need to be either very good on the issue at hand or at least to be somehow knowledgeable about the issue at hand.
I have no qualm about Post Processing as I am a heavy PP user myself but at least I am proud of it and do not shy from it.
I never said that you claimed to have innovative techniques but it seems pretty clear to me that you think highly of your post work and perhaps rightly so, I'd love to see it. And having such strong opinions on the matter I was asking that you share some of your process hoping you could contribute innovative techniques, move the conversation forward, not sideways.
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I find mr Theins ideas and thoughts more interesting than his workflow or image output. For this reason I have followed his blog for the last three years. I have picked up a thing or two, so his opinion is not without value to me. But IMO there is nothing there worth paying for. And while I do not find it "wrong" to apply general profiles to a picture, one must understand that if one really want to color correct everything, the easiest (and only) way is to use the CC passport (or an equal tool) at every photo session to make a custom profile for the particular lighting, angle of light and lens. Not applying some "general" profile. As mr Thein himself writes in his blogpost of july 30th, 2016,"My choice of presentation for this set was deliberately painterly in nature – there’s something about those 18th century oil seascapes that I personally find both fitting and appealing". He makes a creative choice to apply this style, while in his sales add for the workflow states, "Workflow III unifies workflow across Photoshop and Lightroom, works with a single curve in RGB mode only, eliminates the need for color correction and includes my custom profiles for most popular recent cameras (the full list below), compatible with both PS and LR". I find this two statements rather contradicting. If I was living in the polluted and humid air in urban asia, maybe I could find a profile that gave a consistent output. But my reality is that the weather and lighting conditions change constantly and I have to make a creative choice on how to present every image. I say this without claiming that I am a master PP or that I have found "the solution to every mans problem".
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Ming Thein's camera profiles are not intended to be a universal solution, but rather, as he states, a neutral starting point from which to build what we need for a particular image. Think of it as we think of Sony's S-log3 in video work, a neutral starting point from which to shape an image into what we need. Try them. I have. If you have not even tried them, you don't know what we are talking about here.
I have followed several different photographers who do their best to make a living from the kind of work that Ming Thein and Lloyd Chambers do and I am certain these folks struggle to take care of their family. It seems we like to eat our own children, so rather than cheer someone like Thein on, we do our best to belittle him, while at the same time suffering the same fate (if you are professional) of trying to support yourselves with photography, when the whole world has become photographers via cell phones, etc.
When I was the director of AMG (music and film data and criticism), I worked not only with a staff of about 150 full-time people, but also with over 500 freelance music and film critics and writers, all of which (it seemed) were trying to make a living doing what they loved. They never seemed to have enough money and the work they did was work that only someone who passionately cared for the subject could produce.
So, I may have a different view here, one certainly tempered by years of experience working with hundreds of talented free-lance writers. It gave me a sense of compassion for those who walk the fine line of sustainability. Does no one else not see this?
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I totally get the business side of his venture, but when I read the comments on his site it reminds me more of a fan based cult. Im a fan of critical thinking and as a teacher I value the students who present such behavior. Just to show my bias on the topic :)
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I totally get the business side of his venture, but when I read the comments on his site it reminds me more of a fan based cult. Im a fan of critical thinking and as a teacher I value the students who present such behavior. Just to show my bias on the topic :)
In the comments to his free blog, I notice that Ming Thein is very consistent in answering most of the comments, which is a sign to me of dedication and care. Having asked questions myself and gotten helpful answers, I am very appreciative of his willingness to respond. Most bloggers don't have that degree of concern and many don't offer comments at all.
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Certainly we are all different. With different needs and different perspectives. And even that changes constantly.
If we all liked photographer XYZ - we all would in some way adopt his style and and grow in the same direction.
We need to see things differently in order for us to grow and challenge one another.
We need to like and dislike photographers - because we learn from both of them.
There is no right or wrong. each to his own. Live and let live.
Not everybody can be King. Some have to sit on the sidewalk and wave as he goes by.
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Mr. Thein certainly has created a "look" and is extremely consistent about maintaining that look. In many/most commercial markets, that is a requirement of professionalism.
I see this also. ...collecting my thoughts. Although the content of the photographs are different there is a sameness that comes through: the balance in the composition, the post processing. It's some technical similarity I can't properly express that comes through in each photograph. It's maybe too perfect.
If this was the fifties American music scene Ming Thien would have been a "Beat" not a "Hipster."
Dave
I can't see how it would hurt to learn some of his Photoshop techniques. I enjoyed looking at his photographs. Maybe I don't want to look at too many in one sitting.
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i find that non-destructive post processing is very desirable (photoshop smart objects, etc.. e.g. see David Cross). Unfortunately, all of Ming's technique is destructive. Very hard to undo or regress a level or two, usually requiring starting over from scratch..
I had this argument with Ming. To wit, he sent me another of his work flow videos that i don't use.
Just my 2cents.
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As the original poster, I just wanted to share what I found useful.
I can't believe all the vitriol that poured out here. Ming Thein is an excellent photographer who shares not only his knowledge at no cost, but also I find his workflow valuable in my own work.
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As the original poster, I just wanted to share what I found useful.
I can't believe all the vitriol that poured out here. Ming Thein is an excellent photographer who shares not only his knowledge at no cost, but also I find his workflow valuable in my own work.
he charged me for his workflow videos.
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he charged me for his workflow videos.
He charges everyone for his workflow videos. Nothing wrong with that. Thom Hogan charges for his camera manuals, etc. I never suggested otherwise. But MIng Thein's blogs contain invaluable information on all kinds of photographic topics that I find useful.
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fine... i have a right to be disappointed... even though you Michael were not.
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If this was the fifties American music scene Ming Thien would have been a "Beat" not a "Hipster."
Dave
They had 'hipsters' in the 1950's? He's the Irving Penn of building shots, maybe?
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Hi Michael,
thanks for having given your opinion on the new Ming Thein's post-processing video.
I have paid for a couple of MT's training materials, and they helped me focus on the right topics. I am not necessarily fond of his style, but at least he's got one and he's a good professional who takes time sharing with others.
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Well folks, there are so many conflicting comments flying around in this thread, that it is hard to decide which to respond, and some are not worth a response IMO. As for the LOL ones, the idea that by learning from Ming Thein, I will be trying to make photos like him. How funny, but also how impossible that would be. I am not influenced by Thein's style, I am inspired by his style and ability... to do more with my own style. I am a person who shares information. After all, I am a Sixties person; we don't care about keeping stuff to ourselves. We like to share it around, which I do.
And those who criticize Ming Thein's tutorials: you obviously know much more than I do about post-processing, because I immediately learned from this latest A3 Tutorial a number of things that I am already using to my advantage. One example is how a tablet pen GREATLY improves dodging, burning, and the sponge tool, to name just one thing I picked up.
This is not my first rodeo. I have been taking reasonable photos since 1956, when my dad gave me a Kodak Retina IIa, a close-up lens, a meter, and a tripod. It is true that now that I am retired, I enjoy a lot more photography and my photos have actually improved. But I have no fear of being influenced by other photographers. I have learned from a number of them, including Chambers, Hogan, Thein, and especially our own nfoto. I even have learn technical details from Ken Rockwell.
Anyway, I was surprised and kind of saddened by this thread, but it is OK. As they say, everyone has an opinion.
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My hesitation is that I have tried a pen based system without any success (just not enough stick-to-it-iveness) and I hate to buy into something and then not be able to follow through for lack of equipment savvy.
Is his workflow dependent on using a pen and tablet?
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I used to have a pen and tablet but it was an economy 4x5" (10x12.7cm) and I found it nearly useless. I wonder if I could have afforded a lager drawing tablet that I might have found it useful.
If there is a way to try before you buy I recommend a large drawing tablet.
Dave
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I have a Wacom Intous, and it works fine. It can be used with a mouse, but for feathering fine things, a mouse won't do it. It makes a real difference.
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I used to have a pen and tablet but it was an economy 4x5" (10x12.7cm) and I found it nearly useless. I wonder if I could have afforded a lager drawing tablet that I might have found it useful.
If there is a way to try before you buy I recommend a large drawing tablet.
Dave
I had the same experience as you with a small tablet, the aspect ratio was off and it wasn't fine grained enough. I just bought a large Intuos Pro so I think I'll get a chance to try again.
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Editing with a tablet vs mouse could be compared to editing with a laptop track pad vs mouse. Once you get used to the tablet it is frustrating to work any other way. It took me a few days to get the hang of the tablet (Wacom Intuos 4) but once I did there was no going back. If you are primarily pushing and pulling sliders and curves and such then a tablet is not vital, but if you are working on the image itself to dodge & burn, making masks, etc then there is no other way in my view.
I bought the large model but wish I would have bought the medium. I have a dual screen set up so the two screens are scaled across the tablet which means the majority of the tablet surface does not get used much and there is just more tablet real estate to move across to navigate the cursor to the second monitor. For this same reason I do not use the tablet mouse either, to much arm movement compared to the USB mouse, which is still plugged in and used for everything other than photo editing. Maybe on a single monitor the large tablet would make more sense (?) but I'll be buying a medium tablet next time around what ever my screen setup.
Michael, if you ever have any dodge & burn questions/issues that may have not been covered in your tutorials feel free to ask. As with most things in photoshop there are several ways to dodge & burn, some ways more appropriate in certain situations than others.
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Michael, if you ever have any dodge & burn questions/issues that may have not been covered in your tutorials feel free to ask. As with most things in photoshop there are several ways to dodge & burn, some ways more appropriate in certain situations than others.
I studied up on it and bought the Wacom Intous medium tablet, which is plenty large enough and can be pushed out of the way, as I use the regular mouse a lot, anyway. Yes, please, let me know your approach to dodge, burn, sponge, and on so on, since I in learning and ready to learn more. Thank you!
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I studied up on it and bought the Wacom Intous medium tablet, which is plenty large enough and can be pushed out of the way, as I use the regular mouse a lot, anyway. Yes, please, let me know your approach to dodge, burn, sponge, and on so on, since I in learning and ready to learn more. Thank you!
Photo Retouching and usage of Wacom tablet would need separate threads on their own.
My first Wacom was the largest A3 tablet we got for the studio runnign on a Mac II Fx or something sometime back around 1992/3. This was not used for photoshop but was specific for our in house Airbrush artist for him to stop polluting the air and the silence of the studio with the compressor. He hated it and the tablet ended up under a pile of paper. I purchased the smallest Wacom sometime after that to use for Photoshop.......and the rest is history after a plethora of Wacoms.
I use the medium size Wacom Pro and large/small size depending on which station I am using.
Today and for Photoshop work. It is more efficient to get the small Wacom Pro and not the medium or large. I used back in the nineties the A3 Wacom for work on a Flame station as you need the space to work. Both the Medium and Large sizes are elbow intensive for PS work and the small Wacom is the correct one to use.
In case you are using the large or medium size Wacom. The thing to do is remap the Wacom space to the smallest space comfortable for you (approx 2inch square/rectangle) in such manner that your wrist never leave the resting position.......otherwise you are toast.
Wacom Pen. This is another issue which I can cover if you wish to open a separate thread. The gist of the matter. Do not use pressure sensitivity when you start working on PS. Pressure sensitivity is not for everybody as it is more akin painting and not all retouchers are painters.
On some of my stations, I do not use a mouse anymore but use the tablet sensitive surface for other scrolling, clicking, zooming. The Wacom becomes second nature. The Wacom tablet offers the possibility of being configured for different applications as to whether it is for PS - InDesign - Web Browsing....etc.
As I already said, I do not only do a lot of post processing but also use Wacom for 3D work and video photocompositing/editing.
D&B retouching is a separate thread and in short is available in 3 main different techniques with their variants.
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Nothing like a good cigar and a beautiful woman :)
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I could not agree more! ;)
As to Ming Thein I have followed his writings on Leica M gear, I agree with most of his findings - But sometimes it seems like he gets caught in the 'New is better' game of the marketing departments - Generally he shoots very pleasing images. I have not seen his PS PP suite,,, but I have seen some online images that appeared to have been through too much/heavy PP to my personal taste for such a motif,,,
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I have to agree with Michael that some of the opinions put forth in this thread are disappointing. Please keep in mind when commenting on a thread that an opinion can be both sincere and un-necessary. It will make for a friendlier and more open community.
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I use a Wacom Intuos Pro Medium tablet (PTH-651) for a couple of years now. The equipment is relatively cheap and of very high quality. First price, here in Switzerland, is about €265.
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I think the style of Mings PP is excellent, are you saying that this tutorial will enable a person to produce pictures that have the look and shadow detail of Mings...........is it really that easy ? Does the package include LR presets. I cant seem to find a detailed account on the net from anyone who has purchased this tutorial ?
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I think the style of Mings PP is excellent, are you saying that this tutorial will enable a person to produce pictures that have the look and shadow detail of Mings...........is it really that easy ? Does the package include LR presets. I cant seem to find a detailed account on the net from anyone who has purchased this tutorial ?
I'm the OP. Yes, the package has all kinds of carefully-made camera profiles for both LR and PS. I use this approach and find it immensely useful. Ming Thein shows you how he post-processes, step-by-step. Will you end up as good as he is. I doubt that any of us will, if only because we will end up as ourselves, not him.
The tutorials are many and long, so who is going to write that out... which would not be fair to Ming Thein at that.
It is the best full system I have found that actually has been useful for me.
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I was wondering if you say that this A3 method works well with LR why are you switching to PS?
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Thank you for sharing. I value Ming's page very highly. I do not photograph architecture or watches, but like his take on it. He has a very good eye. Neither do I buy everything latest and most expensive, although MF would be something nice to try… His reviews are different from many other bloggers, who only list features of a camera and say which ones are "good" and which ones are "bad" without proper reasoning. He is one of the guys who actually writes why something is good (or not so good) for his use and based on his own use of the camera. His answers even on trollish comments are always cultivated, polite and factual. Disclosure: Once he helped me with a question (it was something
about diy with focusing screens), very quickly and without pay ;-)
Yesterday I bought his Workflow III and right now I am browsing through it all. Sounds interesting. (And yes, couple of years ago he brought me to Wacom) Again, thank you for sharing and your opinion, which is an opinion as it should be expressed to be heard and valid ;-)
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I used to have a pen and tablet but it was an economy 4x5" (10x12.7cm) and I found it nearly useless. I wonder if I could have afforded a lager drawing tablet that I might have found it useful.
If there is a way to try before you buy I recommend a large drawing tablet.
Dave
The major use of a graphics tablet for photography is to allow you finer control over small movements of the pen during retouching or making selections than you can get with a mouse. You only make long movements when going from one area to another, and even then those movements are usually smaller than an artists stroke with a pen.
I use an XP-Pen Deco mini7 drawing tablet (https://www.xp-pen.com). Definitely worth checking out their range - quality is great, and much cheaper than Wacom.
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I learned Mng's III method. I use the graphic tablet, but mostly for dodging and burning.