DXO-PL tutorial

[Palouse]

Found this relatively recent tutorial on DX0-PL2:

 

[Walter Rowe]

Question about DxO .. can you select a color range in an image to edit by picking somewhere in an image and use controls to define the range of hue and tone affected by your color edit?

 

[Palouse]

If I understand your question correctly, yes, with control points. Both in DXO-PL on a Raw file, or in most of the NIK tools (on jpgs or tiffs).

 

[Walter Rowe]

If I understand your question correctly, yes, with control points. Both in DXO-PL on a Raw file, or in most of the NIK tools (on jpgs or tiffs).

I just did a search on Google and came across this thread. Seems the old DxO Mac version had a “color editor” tool. It wasn’t a U-Point type of feature. You chose a color anywhere in the image and it would select that color across the entire image. You can use controls to determine the range of hue and tone “around” the color you picked, and adjust hue, saturation and luminosity.

DxO Forums – Color Editor

Based on this thread linked above it seems this feature was removed in PhotoLab. The theory seems to be that it was a Mac-only feature and was removed to make the Windows and Mac have feature parity.

 

[Walter Rowe]

I looked in the DxO 10 manual. This Multi-Point Color Balance looks closest to the color editor feature I am looking for and it does say it is Mac only.

DxO OpticsPro 10 User Guide – Color

Seems this feature is no longer available in DxO PhotoLab 2.

 

[Palouse]

Ah, I remember that now.

 

[Pa]

I miss that too.

 

[Mike Buckley]

can you select a color range

yes, with control points.

If the Control Points work the same way as in the Nik Collection, they select a range of luminosity, not color. The same was true of Control Points in Nikon Capture NX and NX2.

 

[Mike Buckley]

A BIT OFF-TOPIC

control points. Both in DXO-PL on a Raw file, or in most of the NIK tools

It was interesting to me to see that with the latest release of the Nik tools, DxO is advertising that all of them now include control points. That's a first.

 

[drr1531]

That was a useful video. Thanks for posting. As I face the dilemma of whether or not to go to the subscription version of LR, I may delve deeper into DxO with the mindset of evaluating a possible replacement rather than just considering it supplemental to LR. I really like the corrections it makes based on camera/lens profiles and the Prime NR. Need to poke around more with the other adjustment tools and look into the DAM.

 

[Mike Buckley]

Need to...look into the DAM.

I don't see any mention at their website of a DAM.

 

[drr1531]

I don't see any mention at their website of a DAM.

The video covers the aspects of DAM at the very beginning.

 

[Palouse]

DXO's "DAM" is fairly rudimentary and uses the computer's file system, rather than its own library. You can search on a variety of EXIF features, and organize images into projects (images aren't moved). Simple as it is, it's more than enough for me.

 

[Mike Buckley]

The meaning of the term, DAM, may have evolved over time, but I use the traditional concept that if it doesn't have its own database, it's not a DAM. Lightroom has its own database.

Having said that, I believe only a very, very small percentage of even avid photographers actually require a database to quickly and easily find their images. If they can do that without the use of a database, there really is no need for a database. The slide shows I put together on a regular basis require using a database but few people use their photos the way I use them.

 

[Walter Rowe]

I promise I’m not trying to hijack this thread. This video illustrates the “color editor” feature I was trying to describe.

 

[Pa]

DXO's "DAM" is fairly rudimentary and uses the computer's file system, rather than its own library.

Which is the main reason I prefer it to LR.

Having said that, I believe only a very, very small percentage of even avid photographers actually require a database to quickly and easily find their images.

Agreed.

 

[Palouse]

Which is the main reason I prefer it to LR.

My needs are simple and I have organized my photos by folders for so long I don't want to change, and I don't need yet another program. I'm happy with my "DAM" (quotes intentional)

 

[Walter Rowe]

The feature I find most powerful with catalogs (databases) is searching. I’ve been asked multiple times in recent years if I have pictures of someone who passed away. Disciplined metadata management and a database for searching has been invaluable in being able to provide people with memories they long forgot.

 

[Philinnz]

thanks, I had downloaded PL-2 and found it pretty confusing for an old guy like me. So that was an hour well spent, and I am now more confident with PL-2. While I will still use ACR for my bread and butter stuff - for the more arty pics, PL-2 could be the way to go

 

[Walter Rowe]

thanks, I had downloaded PL-2 and found it pretty confusing for an old guy like me. So that was an hour well spent, and I am now more confident with PL-2. While I will still use ACR for my bread and butter stuff - for the more arty pics, PL-2 could be the way to go

If you are looking for Adobe alternatives, Capture One has lots of videos on how to use the tools within the package and how to use layers and layer masks for more creative or precise editing.

Capture One Learning Hub - Free tutorials, webinars and blog posts

Even if you don't like the price or something else about Capture One, their videos can still be informative about techniques for how to achieve certain effects. Just translate them to the tool you use.