Getting back into ON1 Photo 10

[Abitconfused]

I admit that I have too many toys (Topaz, Perfectly Clear, NIK) but I got back into ON1 and I am glad I did. There is some really neat stuff in there. I would like to know about other ON1 filters, Borders etc that others like. My recent photo attached. Call me a ham...

[Abitconfused]

Lightroom to ON1:

[Manfred M]

I'm not quite sure what you are trying to show here? Do these tools do anything to help create a strong image that might be useful to me as a photographer?

The first one might be okay if I were trying to do things from a graphic arts standpoint or web page design standpoint (that example might be interesting for someone doing a web page for film cameras, for instance). The second one I'm not sure about at all as I don't know what I would use that look for.

The issue I have with a lot of plug ins (and I still use them from time to time) is that unless the do something that helps me create a strong image or speeds up my production workflow when I am doing commercial photography, I don't both with them.

I used OnOne a few years ago but did not renew my licence when a new version was released. If this is what the new software does, I made the right decision for me personally.

[Abitconfused]

This is known as play, Manfred, it's a thing done during leisure time without regard to structure or, perhaps, even purpose.

[Manfred M]

This is known as play, Manfred, it's a thing done during leisure time without regard to structure or, perhaps, even purpose.

There is nothing wrong with playing. I do it all the time. My comments are meant for a broader audience to suggest these products have their uses, but on their own do not end up making stronger images. Yes the effects can be fun and I have integrated effects like these into some of my photocomposite work.

They can have a role in playing and in serious photography as well.

[Abitconfused]

Well said!

[Thornton]

I agree that whatever one enjoys doing is worthwhile to oneself, but my feelings about filter effects are probably pretty similar to Manfred’s. I don’t own ON1, but I did acquire the Nik set (paid for from DXO), though I did previously own the 32 bit Silver Efex.
Out of all of the Nik package outside SE, I use Viveza, the output sharpener, and Color Efex (but only a handful of the filters). I recently upgraded the Nik package, but only really to give me a reasonably priced version of PhotoLab. I don’t envisage having much use for a lot of the Nik package: a few of the filters in Color Efex I’m using a lot, and the output sharpener I use all the time. I haven’t used Analog Efex, and don’t really see a use for it for me. And now that PhotoLab has the Viveza local adjustment tools, Viveza itself is not quite as important. The new Nik “En Vogue” filters will probably be unused.

My first digital camera was a Kodak which came with EasyShare software, in which numerous effects could be applied. A none-too-good image could be made into something that maybe didn’t look too bad as a “graphic art” effect. I also used to use Picasa to organise my photos, and you could, if so minded, apply a host of filter effects in that. My problem with so much of this manipulation, is that much of the time it doesn’t seem to give me a result from a quality lens that I could get just using a poorer one. I want software that can help me get the most out of my equipment. I really don’t see the point of a filter that can make a photo shot on a good lens with edge-to-edge sharpness look as though it is an old, faded and damage print, for example. I suppose I just don’t want something that clearly announces itself as a manipulated image.

Julian