Topic: Which Image Processing Do You Prefer?

[Sanjay]

I decided today to give some thought to image processing.  I mostly use Adobe Bridge/CS3 for my processing but have also used Aperture and Nikon Capture NX.

All are the same images, shot in RAW and converted to JPG straight with no adjustments at the highest setting.  The only differences are how each program reads the RAW file.

Which do you prefer, I'll reveal to you if you PM me.  In a week I will post it.  I'm interested to see if people can pick it out and which they prefer.

Please feel free to guess which is CS3, Aperture, and Nikon Capture NX!

Example A:  Original "http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2085/2529405875_e86ac30406_o.jpg"


Example B:  Original  "http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/2529405833_7ccde2face_o.jpg"


Example C:  Original  "http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2329/2529405817_cbfe5d6849_o.jpg"

[rowjimmytour]

Not sure if its my screen or my eye site but "C" stands out to me like a sore thumb. The colors are clear and the picture comes out of the screen w/ equal contrast and balance.
Peace

[flipp]

Looking at the pics posted, not the original fullsized, I prefer C.
A looks too thin/washed-out even slightly over-exposed while
B looks over saturated, particularly in the yellow shirt
C is a little thin but not nearly as much as A

Those impressions are using a large CRT monitor. When I opened the laptop to view them on an LCD, I got a nice place holder from flickr stating "this photo is currently unavailable" but the full sized image is accessible and it doesn't suffer from the same fate I see on the CRT. Haven't open the other two yet on the LCD and none of the full sized on the CRT. My choice may change after I look at all three on both screens.

<edit 1  full size image on LCD, I prefer B </edit 1>
<edit 2  full size image on CRT, I still prefer B but C is almost as pleasing and is much closer to B than when I view C on the LCD.

Incidentally, I voted for C in the poll, that was only after viewing the small pics on the CRT. After viewing the full sized images, I would switch my vote to B. My CRT has never been calibrated which probably has some baring on my choice. Wish I knew what the actual color of the shirt is.  I'm not gonna guess the software used since I right clicked and saw that info. </edit 2>

A loses and B wins on both CRT and LCD while C more resembles A on the LCD but is much closer to B on the CRT. Which screen I viewed the images on didn't have a big affect on my choice of which I preferrd overall but it did make a big difference in how I saw image C. There may be a bigger difference on what the image is viewed on than what software is used to produce the image.

Interesting comparison. Thanks for posting.

[Sanjay]

Thanks,

The image links should be fixed.  Sorry about that.

This is going to be very interesting.

[BJ]

going from best to worst

B  I am guessing CS3/Adobe Camera Raw
    This one has the most detail/definition, and the focus is much better than the other two.  It is oversaturated on the yellow shirt slightly, but the exposure is perfect.  Lots of detail.

C I am guessing Aperature
    Focus is lost, and the exposure looks a tad lacking.  However, I think the color representation may be the best in this one, if the exposure was just a tad better

A  I am guessing Nikon Capture NX!
    To me, the detail and focus are both lost in this one, the color is much weaker, and lacks definition.

I guessed based on what I have read.   I have only used CS2/Camera raw with Canon.  I do not like the DPP with the canon a whole lot (but that may just be lack of experience) However, I will say there is a lot of blogs etc saying that the Capture NX! is actually the best to convert raw prior to doing minor edits in CS3.  So if i had a second guess(provided i am wrong in my first guess)..i would says B = NX!  C = Camera Raw and A = Aperature

intersted thread sanjay!  i hope phanophish and Frank jump in, since they both shoot Nikon...could have more insight.

[phanophish]

B would be my choice as it is the only image that retains all of the highlights.  The others both loose the detail on the bench.  I'll agree with the slightly over saturated comments, but I like the rich colors so might be a bit biased there as well.

[Frank in JC]

Can't weigh in, no pictures!  Question though: Can the Nikon D2X Modes be used in Aperture?  I've been using Capture NX with D2X Mode I and Mode III almost exclusively.  Also, does it give you control over Active D-Lighting? 

[Sanjay]

Can't weigh in, no pictures!  Question though: Can the Nikon D2X Modes be used in Aperture?  I've been using Capture NX with D2X Mode I and Mode III almost exclusively.  Also, does it give you control over Active D-Lighting? 

I don't have any f-ing Idea why the pictures keep becoming unavailable, but they should be back.  Thanks!

I believe that only Capture NX will give you control over Active D Lighting, I could be wrong.

[rowjimmytour]

Not sure if its my screen or my eye site but "C" stands out to me like a sore thumb. The colors are clear and the picture comes out of the screen w/ equal contrast and balance.
Peace

I amde my choice before you added links to the actual pictures working/nonworking and based only on the pics you posted.
Peace

[Frank in JC]

I still don't have a clue!   Everything looks like crap on my monitor at work, but the hue and saturation of the second one is obviously different and greater than the other two.  But even on a good monitor I don't think I know enough to tell which is which.

[jdawg]

Couldn't tell you which tool was used because I don't have experience with all those tools. As far as color correctness goes, I'd have to go with "A". Especially in the color of the jeans. In "B", the jeans have a purplish hue to them. In "C", the blue seems a little off. This is based off the full size images.



 

[johnw]

I like B>C>A

[Jimna]

B, hands down.

[baustin]

B>A>C

B - looks well balanced. the yellow on his shirt looks correct.

A - too dark in spots, but i see the most detail in his jeans. the curve on the left side of the bench looks pixelated.

C - ground tiles look too light, not much detail in the bench he's sitting on, and i don't like the color of his jeans

[Brian Skalinder]

Tough to make a call on color representation, since I wasn't there for the original scene, but...

A -- a bit brighter / washed out relative to B, but the blues in the jeans look right to me

B -- most contrast of the three, perhaps a bit more detail (though maybe the added contrast is fooling me), but the blues in the jeans look a bit purple to me

C -- most washed out / softest of the bunch, blue jeans look a bit too blue

At first glance, on my Dell Latitude laptop, I prefer B.