Using flash for 'clipping paths'?

[paul williams]

Ok so, I’m buying a new radio trigger (dedicated to my new Multiblitz heads) and one of the functions is;

“The EasyClip feature helps you create clipping paths
& masks within your photo editing software…”

As you can tell by the following this wasn’t a function I’m particularly concerned with, but would like to understand who & why it would be used or useful! Perhaps it will all become clear when the unit and manual arrive?

Basically, you would set-up your flash heads as per normal, assigning channel 1 to the subject and channel 2 to those for the background (white or grey?). Your first exposure fires only the head(s) on the subject, then (max) ½ seconds later your second exposure triggers only the heads on the background. Basically in Easyclip mode the trigger incrementally fires the lowest assigned channel number, then the next highest and so on with a max gap of ½ second. Obviously this is a post processing ‘thing’ (though I can think of some other uses) which is something I don’t really do. I did Photoshop evening classes some years ago and thinking I ought to get some new software and look into PP’ing my images - but I am a bit of a Luddite

Paul

 

[Garry Edwards]

That sounds clever but complicated

Personally I just send images to Clipping Paths Asia and let them do it - cheap, quick, easy and good work - you won't catch me doing it myself, my time is worth more than that...

 

[paul williams]

Well I don't suppose I'll ever use the 'easyclip' function, just decided I'd like to control all the flash head functions from the camera both individually and as a group. Now all I need is to convert all my older heads to the new ones over the coming months...

Paul

 

[nano]

Potentially thats really really clever especially in high/low key setups (and i mean actual high key rather than "omg white background") where typical quick selection tools might struggle.

But the only scenario i can think of it being useful is studio product photography. With me those type of shots i usually invest quite a bit of time getting everything perfect anyway so its probably no hassle to wander over and turn a light off somewhere and take an extra shot of what i think will be the final image (I might do that next time for clipping paths tho)

 

[paul williams]

Potentially thats really really clever especially in high/low key setups (and i mean actual high key rather than "omg white background") where typical quick selection tools might struggle.

But the only scenario i can think of it being useful is studio product photography. With me those type of shots i usually invest quite a bit of time getting everything perfect anyway so its probably no hassle to wander over and turn a light off somewhere and take an extra shot of what i think will be the final image (I might do that next time for clipping paths tho)

Just had a look at the 'Quick Guide' and they show it used with a person, obviously the under 1/2 a second is to minimise movement, using continuous drive and quote;

"After tonal value adaption and inversion the
second shot becomes an alpha channel that can
be placed as a mask..."

All of which means absolutely nothing to me

Paul