How I Edit My Images - Digital, APS-C & Film

[@dan.p.8060]

I couldn’t believe when everyone started coming out with presets. It takes away so much of the creativity you get with photography and that’s all the fun!

[@Ruscombephotos]

Thomas, Many thanks for this. One of the great hallmarks of your work is that it never looks anything but natural. It never looks over processed. The software we have to work with is so powerful that it’s easy to get drawn in by it. I admire you for staying true to what you intended when you shot the image. And well done for giving credit to Nick Carver.

[@Basderat]

Thomas Thank you for these tutorial. Now I know how to make a nice vignettierung. I love your channel. Through the video with Andy Gray, I started to try out intentional camera movement.👍👍👌👌

[@CWReace]

Love watching Nick Carver's vids, even though I have no intention of getting into the film world. He's somehow always entertaining and relaxing to listen to while being informative. :)

[@92558131]

I love to use Adobe Camera Raw opened through Bridge) to process my scanned film files. It is non destructive and works wonder.

[@RewDowns]

This was great!

[@malcolmfoster6266]

Thanks for showing us your process. Video saved to my “KZbin University”. 🙏🖖

[@rathfarnhamD14]

Great stuff Thomas. I use Photoshop and it is always a great buzz when I get home and start the post production, and this video will add more to what I already use. What great times we are in with the tools available. Got your signed book arrived in perfect condition and in January your calendar will be on display. Cheers. Colin

[@eugenedjohnson2774]

I really admire your photographic eye, and your attention to detail when editing your photographs. Another job well done! 👏🏾

[@Lumpiluk]

I'd love to see more photographers giving open-source software like RawTherapee, Darktable, or Krita a try. Some of the techniques you showed in this video would be difficult to replicate with the tools I know, but it'd be interesting to see how close you can get. I'm somewhat passionate about this because Adobe still doesn't support Linux

[@MartinKyral]

I am using darktable for years now and I do even have a patch in there (very trivial though). It would indeed be very interesting to see a truly skilled photographes (which I don't consider myself to be) edit an image in it. It is a bit overengineered UX-wise, it would say. Lots of options, lots of modules doing basically the same thing, but hey, when you create your own workflow and get used to it, it's easyyy. Krita seems to me quite similar in capabilities to PS (I did replicate some basic PS workflows in it) but mind you, it is primarily a painting software. I am to unable to use PS as I don't use any OS supported by it. RawTherapee I don't use. Nothing technical, just a matter of preference.

[@alangauld6079]

I've been using Linux since the mid 90s and its my main OS for everything except image and video editing. I tried all the raw processors and even bought Corel Aftershot Pro, which is still the first step in my workflow(getting files off the card and onto a disk). But sadly none of the open source tools really come close to the proprietary ones for ease of use and image quality. I don't use Adobe, but I do use DxO Photolab, followed by Nik collection followed by Affinity Photo. On Linux I occasionally jump into GIMP for some tweaks and I use Darktable to edit the raws from one of my Lumix compacts because DxO don't support it! Darktable is awesome but ease of use is horrific, minute adjustments make huge changes etc. Video editing software on Linux is even worse (although I'm assured DaVinci Resolve can be made to work and Lightworks is now almost usable if your PC is powerful enough)

[@MLodge]

But the UI/UX is so awful. It’s the big weak point of open source desktop apps. Instead, for $10 a month, I get a really good UX that doesn’t waste my time and both LR and PS. Free software is great if you don’t value your time.

[@carlitodcreative]

Awesome!

[@billjohnstonjr.1037]

Why you didn't use the tone curve on the first two images and only on the film one? Thank you for giving a shout out to Nick Carver, one of my favorite photographers and vloggers. I also appreciated you comments about presets. Finally, what a great mini-workshop in editing! Thank you.

[@roberthaken9798]

Brilliant video Thomas. In a future video, could you discuss the settings you use for Iridient X-Transformer? I've been using it for a while on my Fuji files but would be interested to know what you use or other photographers you know to get the best results. Thanks Robert

[@Colinpowellphotography]

Thanks for a bit more insight on how you edit your images Thomas, always nice to see a bit of post. I'm a newbie to luminosity masking using the same plug-in as Adam Gibbs but not with the same results. 🤣🤣 Great video and looking forward to your next.

[@dalerobinson8456]

I subscribed to Nick Carver 6 or 8 months ago when you mentioned him, really enjoy his videos. Thanks for the tip.

[@antonoat]

Kudos for being honest and recognising another photographer, decent of you and a good example!

[@nominoe7242]

Thanks for the video. Would love to see the before and after images side by side.

[@johnburrow4124]

Question about x transformer: is it best to convert before importing into Lightroom, immediately upon importing into Lightroom, or after you have made some adjustments to the raw file? Do those adjustments carry over during conversion?

[@enzo007v2]

Hi Thomas, thanks for the video, very useful. I just switched from Nikon D810 into Fujifilm XT3, and all advices about processing are great (e.g. Iridient plugin). I have one question, can you make a video about preparing for print Fuji files, and how big prints you can produce. Personally I use Epson SC P800, I print up to A2 format (bigger are only panoramas from roll, but it is up to 17 inch heigh). Curious how big prints you made from your Fuji camera. Thank you.

[@simonmaney3438]

Great vid thanks Thom, nice to get an insight in your personal style. However, I am going to (risk) making a suggestion: I often think your style, or the look of your images is quite flat. IMO, they seem to lack a bit of contrast, or tones mapped to black. Given the 'modern' state of online photographic presentation this is commendable self control, but I do wonder if you are doing your self a bit of a disservice. To try and keep it simple, I think you are processing your images to 'print' standard (which is a necessary skill in itself), but we are viewing everything on our screens. Maybe they could (sometimes) do with a 'KZbin adjustment' for a bit of online impact. [As an aside, I wonder what percentage of your audience even print their work?] Feel free to disagree. Everybody...

[@paulmatthijssen]

I also use Iridient for my Fuji files and am wondering which settings you use with X-Transformer. I am still struggling a bit with the correct settings for the sharpest outcome of my X-T3 images. Can you share yours with me and other Iridient users?

[@jwp2166]

I understand that this is how the game is played these days, and is probably essential for professionals, but this obsession with editing is where I lose interest and, to be quite honest, a bit of respect. It shows that great photographs don't necessarily come from great photographers but rather from people who are great at editing images. I've seen far too many photographs that out of the camera are complete duds but that after hours of sitting in front of a computer and employing the latest editing tricks are stunning. Not taking anything away from your work -- I love your stuff -- but all this editing enthusiasm leaves me cold. Besides, Lightroom and Photoshop aren't cheap and they take a lifetime to master.

[@ReubenClarke]

I wholeheartedly disagree with you. If you don't edit your photos then your camera does it for you, unless you post unedited RAW files. The camera captures the raw data of the scene and the photographer edits to produce the vision that they saw when taking the photograph. A RAW file looks nothing like what the human eye sees. Editing is an essential part of digital photography if you want full creative control. If you're using film, the filmstock does the editing for you, and dodging and burning are done in the darkroom. Editing is - and always has been - synonymous with great photography.

[@jwp2166]

​@@ReubenClarke You're right, editing is synonymous with great photography and I love the results of skilled editing but that's exactly my point. Editing can get us into the area of fake or dishonest. We've all seen beautiful photographs that look nothing like what the human eye saw in the field and we can all make photos look better than the original scene. RAW files allow us to do just that. Great editors can make bad photos look really good. Why else is there an industry of editors to whom you can send your photos and pay to have them spruced-up? No need to belabor the point but I feel there's a valid use of editing and, at least in my humble opinion, an overuse of it. Have a good one and keep taking good photos.

[@ReubenClarke]

@@jwp2166 Right, I see your point better now! I agree, it can definitely be overdone, but it's a very subjective topic and a massive grey area. Sorry for jumping down your throat before, I just don't think basic editing like this means the photographer deserves less respect. If you're doing sky replacements and adding in objects that weren't there, then I'd agree with you.

[@jamesobrien9045]

Thanks Thomas, Love your work. Would it be possible for you to share a screen shot of the raw options panel in the x-transformer app?I never know what may be the optimal settings XT4 files. Thanks

[@dima1353]

Hi, you video is good as your photos ! How you process videos ?

[@AshtewanPhotoVideo]

If you do another one of these could you toggle back and forth from before and after each adjustment? Helps see the changes you're making on smaller screens

[@enotheisen]

Thank you for your recognition of Nick Carver’s process in your presentation. It’s an indication of your integrity. I have enjoyed the presentations you have made most recently.

[@nathantdunn]

Flicked over to Nick’s channel at 19:10. Watched his most recent video. Subscribed. Returned to this video. Thanks for recommendation 😁

[@NeathVideos]

What’s the voice saying “yeah” at around 21:45 to 21:50? Excellent tutorial Tom!

[@JuandeFucaU]

oh, sorry..... thought this was a James Blunt video..... carry on..... (quietly sneaks out of room)

[@shaunkeenanphoto]

I’m new to Lightroom and never thought of using a radial filter to create a vignette. I’m looking forward to trying it out. Cheers!

[@stulora3172]

Thomas Heaton tells me to subscribe to Nick Carver's channel, I subscribe to Nick Carver's channel. I'm a simple man.

[@samuelgoad7320]

Man Thomas, I love how you are able to empower everyone with your photography, I feel bad sometimes using my X-T2 when I see someone shooting the same scene next to me on a GFX100 but the fact you swap between APSC,FF, Medium format and film just shows how you can get it done with anything with the right attitude!

[@PhotoTubeUK]

Never feel bad using an X-T2! It's an awesome camera! For landscape photography it's equal to the X-T3 or X-T4 and you really don't need "full frame". However, the GFX100 is on a different level to virtually all other cameras.

[@chromaticvisuelle]

To be honest, I didn't see much difference between APSC and FF. And it was 26 megapixels vs 42. Except the ability to crop. The glass makes all the difference for me.

[@nelsonclub7722]

@@chromaticvisuelle It has never and will never be about the camera. Cameras don't take pictures you do

[@freetibet1000]

It all depends on what the intended output is; if you intend showing your image on-line only even a 12 mp sensor is enough (if you don’t crop much). But if your intention is to print large high quality prints beyond 50 x 70 cm an image from a 24 mp sensor (no crop) will in many cases not have enough density for sufficient sharpness. Of course, interpolation is always a possibility but with sacrifices. The reason photographers like high density sensors is because scaling down an image comes with very little damage whilst scaling up depends on a method of adding in detailed information that wasn’t there in the first place! Depending on the type of image that can sometimes be an acceptable compromise, but the result is very often disappointing and very obvious. So, the choice of sensor-size and density comes down to what the intended outcome is. Since most photographers don’t really know in what ways the photo will be published or shown in the future the options will be less limited with an image from a larger and more dense sensor. I guess that’s the main reason most photographers like to bring home images from a shoot with a pixel density as high as possible.

[@Bambytalica]

this mountain image looks better in B&W :)

[@frontlinebreakthrough5723]

have you perhaps published a book with some of your photography, kind of like a collection

[@carolkrom5934]

You mention that you convert your X-trans images to DNG via Iridient X Transformer. Can Lightroom's option "Copy as DNG" serve the same purpose at the same quality?

[@thinkgolden]

Big props to Nick Carver. He's a great inspiration.

[@iamato71]

Automatic captions ON would be nice. Thumbs up anyway...

[@FlyFishVideo]

Be sure and explore the Dust tool in Lumenzia. It really helps you find all of the dust spots and fix them quickly on a new layer.

[@michaelwilmes5271]

For every photosuite today viable options for converting (color) negatives exist. CaptureOne has, Ps has, Lr has and even free options exist. Luxury times these days for film shooters.

[@inakilauzirika5076]

Hey Thomas, just a small question about your umbrella... Which brand/model is it? Where can it be purchased? Thanks so much! 👏

[@reydahamadou8737]

I like your videos and photography style👍, as for film photography nick carver is a fantastic film photographer, i've learned much from his channel.

[@AndreAraujo_]

please put the subtittles again...google vibes from Brazil!

[@roybush1]

Rather than using LR why don’t you just take the images into camera raw via photoshop. Especially the film scan ? All of the shadows highlights etc etc are all there within one program ? Then after alterations your back naturally in PS

[@erichstocker8358]

I'm surprised that you manipulate in the scanning software. Don't you think doing a flat scan and then manipulating in lightroom/photoshop is better? Because once you include manipulations are in your scan they are in your "raw" file.

[@thehowlingterror]

Thanks for the video, insightful as always. Couldn't bring myself to brushing out natural features though.

[@jonfletcher147]

Hi Thomas, is Iridient a free or paid plugin please? Cheers. Jonathan.

[@BobEstremera]

I find Photo Ninja does a great job processing Fuji files. It retains noticeably more highlight detail and overall detail as well.

[@johngunning2123]

I wonder what the 83 people who posted a dislike to this video found to warrant the thumbs down. People should be prepared to offer constructive criticism rather than just posting thumbs down.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

The radial filter vignette is one of my favorite tools. The best thing is, if done right, the viewer can't tell it's there unless they can see the "before" version.

[@johnhastings6197]

Thomas, will any dng converter be OK with a Fujifilm camera?

[@donr8191]

Great info..I enjoy your videos but in this video I find the music distracting....

[@oftheseaband]

Thomas Heaton. The intellectual photographer. Your Great Tom!

[@danielbruhin6171]

Thomas: It would be interesting to know more details about the scanner you use for film. I have loads of slides and need to scan the best of them. So far I have not found the right scanner. Thanks very much.

[@JamescHowe]

Hi Thomas is there a reason why you Do not seem to develop your own film images? Too me it would seem the most exiting part. You can't be shooting that many rolls to Warrant sending them off for external processing

[@thomaspinches9518]

How come you scan your own film? Surely the scanner that the labs have (Noritsu or Frontier) are better than a consumer flat bed??

[@MarkusSenior]

Great video Thomas. Thanks for sharing your workflows. I really liked your film one. As I have to go through a lot of negatives/positives for a client this was very helpful. I will check out also Nick's Channel. Cheers from LA.

[@dezb9918]

Very good Video --on the Film sharpening why not use High Pass Sharpening

[@romiemiller7876]

I’ve never used a preset, and don’t plan to. Start. I’m with you on that.

[@fzwoacht]

When doing gentle retouching you really sound like Bob Ross. 😂 All the best and stay healthy. Greetings from Germany.

[@jimgraves4197]

I use Affinity Photo, it's similar in it's execution to Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, but whatever software you choose to edit your images, the emphasis I get from this video is to make small changes. The lighthouse you sharpened shows the awful mess that can easily be made by throwing too much at it and the improvements that small subtle changes can make to an already great image. I always feel a bit of a fraud when I edit my film shots, but I am slowly getting past that and I'm making progress. Thanks Thomas. :)

[@alangauld6079]

Editing film has always been a thing. I used to sent up to 6 hours on a single image in the darkroom making masks, dodging and burning etc. And if you made a mistake you had to start all over again! Digital editing is sooooo much easier!

[@CornishMotorcycleDiaries]

Although I've watched loads of videos like this, including all of Nick Carvers, I never fail to learn something. In this case the use of the gradient tool in PS allied to a mask on a curves layer. I might go back and re-scan some of my old 6x6 images now.

[@bobsykes]

Yes! Nick Carver is an amazing educator. Your style and technique is very informative, too. This is helpful.

[@ZanStermecki]

I often edit in lightroom and just do corrections in photoshop, well done!

[@Soarific]

What sort of corrections? I’m new to this all

[@ZanStermecki]

@@Soarific corrections such as skin smoothening, object removing etc

[@JohnHPettigrewFujishooter67]

Awesome as always Thomas, very simple but effective edits, and techniques I will use for sure, thanks for sharing.

[@kevinkazakevich5766]

I still do not have any electronic photo editing software yet. I think the main goal is to make a good photo in the first place so that there is little else that needs to be changed. You can use various filters in the field to create the best image.

[@romiemiller7876]

Over editing: Picasso said that the hardest thing in art is knowing when to stop.

[@peterebel7899]

Thanks again for this vid. Yes, the calendar is a great one - as is the book!

[@andreasmolund]

Thomas, I think you also have a slight magenta cast on the right image at 11:56. I see it in the sky and the distant mountains.

[@caroo20d]

Could you subtitle the videos again, please?

[@caroo20d]

Could you subtitle the videos again, please?

[@splendidx01]

The daft crappy music spoils it- get rid!

[@Nature_Wild_And_Free]

Is there a short cut to bring your image from photoshop back into Lightroom?

[@travellerjgp]

Very useful and helpful. I struggle to get my head around post processing, beyond standard changes. The use of a wide radial was really useful, but still got lost on luminance highlighting and the link with photoshop. As a rookie photographer (very amateur) post processing is quite overwhelming. Anyway, thanks as ever for a top vlog.

[@travellerjgp]

@Tom Geldon thanks Tom.

[@gregm8392]

What happened? Why this vide is not available???

[@cmflyer]

Bob Ross goes digital. Minus the hair.

[@KylerSteele]

Nice to see the process for different types. I want to upload my process for others also! Love watching these types of videos

[@oswaldbastable4139]

Have you gone back to using a mouse for editing or is it just easier when making videos?

[@oswaldbastable4139]

I posted my question while watching, right after he said he normally uses a tab :/ I got myself decent Wacom which took some getting used to but well worth the effort.

[@jakepeters4370]

You're an inspiration. Thank you.

[@wolper2155]

Hi Thomas. Great Video, but the Background is not my Cup of Coffee. Greetings from germany

[@wolper2155]

Background Musik

[@totoroutes5389]

What’s your lighting gear for the indoor vlog?

[@Bleunoir686]

Nicks scanning process video helped me out so much. love to see the shoutouts.

[@Yannick_84]

imagine bob ross where a photographer

[@Toma.s]

Great video! Thanks Tom

[@puspanyadewi]

Thanks Thomas for your information.

[@bakerchuck]

What other platforms are to posting to?

[@just_eirik]

I tried that plug-in you mentioned, but I did not like it. The reason is that files from Fujifilm cameras have lower “micro color definition” (for lack or a better phrase). Small details often look desaturated. And that plug-in did not fix that issue for me. Maybe I used it wrong. I used the default settings. But when I used the “Enhance Detail” feature in Lr, it brought back the color in those small details. Edit: I hope I’m not coming across as saying “you’re wrong and I’m upset that you’re wrong” or something. I genuinely love these videos. My comment about the enhance detail feature was only meant to highlight how it brings back color to small details. I think enhance detail works very well honestly.

[@storysupport]

My first thoughts, when you mentioned scanning, went to Nick Carver and his work. That’s a proper acknowledgment and a practice you have, Tom. You’re gentleman and a scholar. 🙂

[@garryjohns351]

Great video, Thomas!

[@joshuadtaft]

I like to do as much in lightroom as possible and leave photoshop for the real heavy work, but regardless, this was a very helpful video! Thanks!

[@NikCan66]

Always brilliant video and something new to learn every time.

[@rickyllapa100]

How do you export the image from photoshop and import the image back into lightroom? Do you save it as a PNG file in photoshop and then import that file into lightroom?

[@AndyNoblePhotography]

Great video Tom. Love the simplicity of your editing. 👍🏻 beautiful images ❤️

[@ShaneBaker]

Interesting video, Tom. Many thanks. And you gain several gold stars for crediting Nick Carver. BTW - using LR AND PS AND plugins - you're a glutton for punishment. :-)

[@ChrisPattonPhotography]

Enjoyed watching Tom really like your editing videos 👍

[@K.JD66]

Hi Thomas, editing process is very important...as you say...but for example you are editing this one seeing colors in adobeRGB 1998 or in sRGB? as you know the web requires files in sRGB color space. The question is...Do you edit DNG files in adobeRGB or sRGB? thanks

[@trambolhao]

One other option for the X-T4: use Capture One to batch convert your RAW files into 16-bit TIFF and then edit in Lightroom; you lose some RAW funcionality in Lr, like white balance or profile selection, but the detail is way better than with the Iridient transformation. Is it also a more expensive option, but at least you get the most detail and still can use your usual Lr environment (for me I really don't wat to lose it, because for the same price I also get Photoshop and keep my Lr plugins, like Negative Lab Pro, for scanned film processing).

[@geoffstairmand3747]

Excellent video Tom - enjoyed it and big-up for Nick Carver. I value your honesty and integrity.

[@SomeonewithaSony]

Always love your videos, Tom. I don’t realize that film images were edited afterwards with software...begs the question, though, why even shoot film in the first place?

[@craigoneill4504]

Yet another great video, many thanks Thomas! One quick question, what paint colour did you use on your studio walls? I think I'd like to use it on mine too, I've seen it on another photographers walls too! Thanks in advance!!!

[@ZTimZ100]

Great tips. Really helped. Simple, quick and easy. Especially like the use of vignette. I use Capture One but translates no problem.