Do You Use Linear Camera Profiles?

russellsnr

russellsnr

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3,121
Name
Russell
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi, have just been trying working on images using a Camera pacific Linear profile and just wondered if anyone else here is using Linear as a starting point in PP?
Thankyou, Russ.
 
Although I shoot raw, I use a camera setting like neutral or standard (depends on the camera) which doesn't affect the raw file itself but does affect the in-camera image review & how it might be assessed.

After uploading images to pc, I use a linear raw processor setting on the basis that I like to be in charge of what goes on as much as possible.
 
In Photolab, I set preset no5 = 'no correction' as my default.

Another example - in C1 (under the colour tab in 'base characteristics'), my default is an as per camera flat icc profile coupled with a C1 linear response curve ...
 
Last edited:
russellsnr said:
Hi, have just been trying working on images using a Camera pacific Linear profile and just wondered if anyone else here is using Linear as a starting point in PP?
Thankyou, Russ.
Click to expand...
I routinely start with the linear profile/curve option in Capture One, and have generated linear profiles for LR/ACR. RawTherapee, which I sometimes use, defaults to a linear curve.

It isn't a proper linear curve in Capture One as it still tweaks the top and bottom of the curve a little, (The CH version of Capture One also offers a scientific linear option, but the CH version of C1 is a specialist and expensive tool).

I prefer this flat rather dull option as a starting point, as I find it better to see as much of what the raw file has recorded as possible, from the beginning, and then add contrast and brightness as required.

Other people (with C1), work the other way round and use the standard film curve, and only switch to the linear curve if they are struggling to recover highlight detail. The argument is that why remove the contrast with the linear curve/profile only to then add it back, but I find the starting point of both C1 and LR/ACR too contrasty. As suggested above, I find it easier to add contrast than remove it.

It's very much personal preference, and probably depends on your subject matter, and a bit on your software. I find the controls in C1 work better with a linear starting point than LR does. As does RawTherapee and Darktable, as both of these seem designed around using linear starting points.
 
I often try the DXO standard preset first on animal shots and see what it looks like it’s often not far off what I’m after
 
Depending on the situation, I do use linear when I need as much control as possible.
 
Although specific to Capture One, in this video (from about 48minutes), Paul Reiffer explains why a particular image benefits from using a linear curve. This is part of a complete edit for the image, so it's not just about using linear curves and lasts about 12 minutes.

Paul, is someone who routinely uses the standard curve (auto) in C1 and only switches to the linear option when he feels its useful.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7E5jTWjRow
 
I do sometimes in Capture One. I don't like too much contrast for a lot of images, and the standard 'Film' curve applied in C1 can be a bit strong on contrast.

I find that, at the start of an edit, when I change from the default curve to the linear response curve (and then generally have to raise exposure by about a stop to get back to where I was, brightness-wise), I straight away get more pleasing/true-to-life balance of contrast/saturation.

I particularly do this when just editing an image for my own pleasure/viewing. Though I do get the impression that a heck of a lot of people do like contrasty/high colour images, so if i'm processing for any platforms for others to view, then I do bare this in mind.
 
Lightroom defaults to Adobe Colour.
I usually switch to camera standard as I prefer this.
I've just starting messing with linear, so far not rocked my boat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top