Digital BW, The Print

Have others looked at this new plugin?  

http://www.georgedewolfe.com/perceptool.html

Phil

I am using it now. Unreal, that is all I can say. When I thought
a photo was finished I ran the tool and the difference was stunning.

Vinny
www.wulfsden 



--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "brouwerkent" <philip@...> wrote:

>
> Have others looked at this new plugin?  
> 
> http://www.georgedewolfe.com/perceptool.html
> 
> Phil
>

I'm trying it now. I've only worked with the automatic settings and  
haven't been able to access the customizable features yet. It can  
sometimes bring out significant features in shadow areas, but it  
seems to have a strong tendency to darken some highlight areas e.g.,  
sky, that looks strange. So, I can't be definitive. I'd say try the  
30 day free trial.

Best Regards,

G. Davey

On May 30, 2009, at 7:35 AM, Vincent Orlando wrote:

>
>
>
> I am using it now. Unreal, that is all I can say. When I thought
> a photo was finished I ran the tool and the difference was stunning.
>
> Vinny
> www.wulfsden
>
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "brouwerkent"  
> <philip@...> wrote:
> >
> > Have others looked at this new plugin?
> >
> > http://www.georgedewolfe.com/perceptool.html
> >
> > Phil
> >
>
>
> 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I was going to take a look at the software but it is apparently not
available for Windows at this point. Probably not a good idea because of the
reduced access to market share. I was able to leave a request for
notification so I will give it a try if he gets his ducks in a row.

-----Original Message-----
From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gerald
Davey
Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2009 9:54 AM
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Re: PercepTool

I'm trying it now. I've only worked with the automatic settings and  
haven't been able to access the customizable features yet. It can  
sometimes bring out significant features in shadow areas, but it  
seems to have a strong tendency to darken some highlight areas e.g.,  
sky, that looks strange. So, I can't be definitive. I'd say try the  
30 day free trial.

Best Regards,

G. Davey

On May 30, 2009, at 7:35 AM, Vincent Orlando wrote:

>
>
>
> I am using it now. Unreal, that is all I can say. When I thought
> a photo was finished I ran the tool and the difference was stunning.
>
> Vinny
> www.wulfsden
>
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "brouwerkent"  
> <philip@...> wrote:
> >
> > Have others looked at this new plugin?
> >
> > http://www.georgedewolfe.com/perceptool.html
> >
> > Phil
> >
>
>
> 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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I am also trying it now on CS4 and a Mac 10.5 It is VERY VERY slow. I 
start it on an image and literally have to walk away for 10 mins 
while it sets up. I have a new Mac Quad core intel xeon with 8 gig 
ram. I don't see an 'automatic' mode. When it sets up it gives a 
window to adjust the gamma, saturation and percep. So, in my opinion, 
you really have to know what you want to see to use with this tool 
properly. I mainly shoot portraits, so the effect isn't too dramatic, 
but I bet it would be with a landscape.
Debbi

>I was going to take a look at the software but it is apparently not
>available for Windows at this point. Probably not a good idea because of the
>reduced access to market share. I was able to leave a request for
>notification so I will give it a try if he gets his ducks in a row.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
>[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gerald
>Davey
>Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2009 9:54 AM
>To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Re: PercepTool
>
>I'm trying it now. I've only worked with the automatic settings and 
>haven't been able to access the customizable features yet. It can 
>sometimes bring out significant features in shadow areas, but it 
>seems to have a strong tendency to darken some highlight areas e.g., 
>sky, that looks strange. So, I can't be definitive. I'd say try the 
>30 day free trial.
>
>Best Regards,
>
>G. Davey
>
>On May 30, 2009, at 7:35 AM, Vincent Orlando wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>
>>  I am using it now. Unreal, that is all I can say. When I thought
>>  a photo was finished I ran the tool and the difference was stunning.
>>
>>  Vinny
>>  www.wulfsden
>>
>>  --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "brouwerkent" 
>>  <philip@...> wrote:
>>  >
>>  > Have others looked at this new plugin?
>>  >
>>  > http://www.georgedewolfe.com/perceptool.html
>>  >
>>  > Phil
>>  >
>>
>  >
>  >

I have also found this to be agonizingly slowwwwwwww.   

What I can see is that it is redistributing tones in a pleasing way.  But I am not sold yet.

Phil

>
> I am also trying it now on CS4 and a Mac 10.5 It is VERY VERY slow. I 
> start it on an image and literally have to walk away for 10 mins 
> while it sets up. I have a new Mac Quad core intel xeon with 8 gig 
> ram. I don't see an 'automatic' mode. When it sets up it gives a 
> window to adjust the gamma, saturation and percep. So, in my opinion, 
> you really have to know what you want to see to use with this tool 
> properly. I mainly shoot portraits, so the effect isn't too dramatic, 
> but I bet it would be with a landscape.
> Debbi
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> >I was going to take a look at the software but it is apparently not
> >available for Windows at this point. Probably not a good idea because of the
> >reduced access to market share. I was able to leave a request for
> >notification so I will give it a try if he gets his ducks in a row.
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> >[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gerald
> >Davey
> >Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2009 9:54 AM
> >To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Re: PercepTool
> >
> >I'm trying it now. I've only worked with the automatic settings and 
> >haven't been able to access the customizable features yet. It can 
> >sometimes bring out significant features in shadow areas, but it 
> >seems to have a strong tendency to darken some highlight areas e.g., 
> >sky, that looks strange. So, I can't be definitive. I'd say try the 
> >30 day free trial.
> >
> >Best Regards,
> >
> >G. Davey
> >
> >On May 30, 2009, at 7:35 AM, Vincent Orlando wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>  I am using it now. Unreal, that is all I can say. When I thought
> >>  a photo was finished I ran the tool and the difference was stunning.
> >>
> >>  Vinny
> >>  www.wulfsden
> >>
> >>  --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "brouwerkent" 
> >>  <philip@> wrote:
> >>  >
> >>  > Have others looked at this new plugin?
> >>  >
> >>  > http://www.georgedewolfe.com/perceptool.html
> >>  >
> >>  > Phil
> >>  >
> >>
> >  >
> >  >
>

I have also found this to be agonizingly slowwwwwwww.   

What I can see is that it is redistributing tones in a pleasing way.  But I am not sold yet.

Phil

>
> I am also trying it now on CS4 and a Mac 10.5 It is VERY VERY slow. I 
> start it on an image and literally have to walk away for 10 mins 
> while it sets up. I have a new Mac Quad core intel xeon with 8 gig 
> ram. I don't see an 'automatic' mode. When it sets up it gives a 
> window to adjust the gamma, saturation and percep. So, in my opinion, 
> you really have to know what you want to see to use with this tool 
> properly. I mainly shoot portraits, so the effect isn't too dramatic, 
> but I bet it would be with a landscape.
> Debbi
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> >I was going to take a look at the software but it is apparently not
> >available for Windows at this point. Probably not a good idea because of the
> >reduced access to market share. I was able to leave a request for
> >notification so I will give it a try if he gets his ducks in a row.
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> >[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gerald
> >Davey
> >Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2009 9:54 AM
> >To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Re: PercepTool
> >
> >I'm trying it now. I've only worked with the automatic settings and 
> >haven't been able to access the customizable features yet. It can 
> >sometimes bring out significant features in shadow areas, but it 
> >seems to have a strong tendency to darken some highlight areas e.g., 
> >sky, that looks strange. So, I can't be definitive. I'd say try the 
> >30 day free trial.
> >
> >Best Regards,
> >
> >G. Davey
> >
> >On May 30, 2009, at 7:35 AM, Vincent Orlando wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>  I am using it now. Unreal, that is all I can say. When I thought
> >>  a photo was finished I ran the tool and the difference was stunning.
> >>
> >>  Vinny
> >>  www.wulfsden
> >>
> >>  --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "brouwerkent" 
> >>  <philip@> wrote:
> >>  >
> >>  > Have others looked at this new plugin?
> >>  >
> >>  > http://www.georgedewolfe.com/perceptool.html
> >>  >
> >>  > Phil
> >>  >
> >>
> >  >
> >  >
>

I am running it in CS3 using the filter mod not the script, and it 
takes 6.5 min. to complete. Fro me that is not too long considering
the results I have been getting. I just go get a cup of coffee.

Vinny
www.wulfsden.com 





--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "brouwerkent" <philip@...> wrote:

>
> I have also found this to be agonizingly slowwwwwwww.   
> 
> What I can see is that it is redistributing tones in a pleasing way.  But I am not sold yet.
> 
> Phil
> >
> > I am also trying it now on CS4 and a Mac 10.5 It is VERY VERY slow. I 
> > start it on an image and literally have to walk away for 10 mins 
> > while it sets up. I have a new Mac Quad core intel xeon with 8 gig 
> > ram. I don't see an 'automatic' mode. When it sets up it gives a 
> > window to adjust the gamma, saturation and percep. So, in my opinion, 
> > you really have to know what you want to see to use with this tool 
> > properly. I mainly shoot portraits, so the effect isn't too dramatic, 
> > but I bet it would be with a landscape.
> > Debbi
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > >I was going to take a look at the software but it is apparently not
> > >available for Windows at this point. Probably not a good idea because of the
> > >reduced access to market share. I was able to leave a request for
> > >notification so I will give it a try if he gets his ducks in a row.
> > >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> > >[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gerald
> > >Davey
> > >Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2009 9:54 AM
> > >To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> > >Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Re: PercepTool
> > >
> > >I'm trying it now. I've only worked with the automatic settings and 
> > >haven't been able to access the customizable features yet. It can 
> > >sometimes bring out significant features in shadow areas, but it 
> > >seems to have a strong tendency to darken some highlight areas e.g., 
> > >sky, that looks strange. So, I can't be definitive. I'd say try the 
> > >30 day free trial.
> > >
> > >Best Regards,
> > >
> > >G. Davey
> > >
> > >On May 30, 2009, at 7:35 AM, Vincent Orlando wrote:
> > >
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>  I am using it now. Unreal, that is all I can say. When I thought
> > >>  a photo was finished I ran the tool and the difference was stunning.
> > >>
> > >>  Vinny
> > >>  www.wulfsden
> > >>
> > >>  --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "brouwerkent" 
> > >>  <philip@> wrote:
> > >>  >
> > >>  > Have others looked at this new plugin?
> > >>  >
> > >>  > http://www.georgedewolfe.com/perceptool.html
> > >>  >
> > >>  > Phil
> > >>  >
> > >>
> > >  >
> > >  >
> >
>

Yes, SLOW is the key word! Another SLOW but definitely worth it  
program I tried and now bought is FocusFixer. It's a remarkable pre- 
sharpener" program that really works in a way that I haven't ever  
seen before. No tell-tale borders, you can use it for direct Digital  
images and by entering an F-Stop e.g. 5.6, it will work with scanned  
images as well.  no run it on all that I do, slow as molasses at  
least on my G5, but the best thing I've seen in a long time! It's  
availalble from FixerLabs as a plug-in. I haven't used the other  
three filters that come with it much. They also have an upsizing  
program available, but the Pro version is pretty expensive for me.  
The Focus Fixer package is $90 but if you join NAPP and get their  
code under "discount software" you can save 40%. Nothing in this for  
me at all, it's just rare to find something that really works, subtle  
but very real benefit!

All the Best,

G. Davey


On May 30, 2009, at 10:19 AM, brouwerkent wrote:

>
>
> I have also found this to be agonizingly slowwwwwwww.
>
> What I can see is that it is redistributing tones in a pleasing  
> way. But I am not sold yet.
>
> Phil
> >
> > I am also trying it now on CS4 and a Mac 10.5 It is VERY VERY  
> slow. I
> > start it on an image and literally have to walk away for 10 mins
> > while it sets up. I have a new Mac Quad core intel xeon with 8 gig
> > ram. I don't see an 'automatic' mode. When it sets up it gives a
> > window to adjust the gamma, saturation and percep. So, in my  
> opinion,
> > you really have to know what you want to see to use with this tool
> > properly. I mainly shoot portraits, so the effect isn't too  
> dramatic,
> > but I bet it would be with a landscape.
> > Debbi
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >I was going to take a look at the software but it is apparently not
> > >available for Windows at this point. Probably not a good idea  
> because of the
> > >reduced access to market share. I was able to leave a request for
> > >notification so I will give it a try if he gets his ducks in a row.
> > >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> > >[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf  
> Of Gerald
> > >Davey
> > >Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2009 9:54 AM
> > >To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> > >Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Re: PercepTool
> > >
> > >I'm trying it now. I've only worked with the automatic settings and
> > >haven't been able to access the customizable features yet. It can
> > >sometimes bring out significant features in shadow areas, but it
> > >seems to have a strong tendency to darken some highlight areas  
> e.g.,
> > >sky, that looks strange. So, I can't be definitive. I'd say try the
> > >30 day free trial.
> > >
> > >Best Regards,
> > >
> > >G. Davey
> > >
> > >On May 30, 2009, at 7:35 AM, Vincent Orlando wrote:
> > >
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> I am using it now. Unreal, that is all I can say. When I thought
> > >> a photo was finished I ran the tool and the difference was  
> stunning.
> > >>
> > >> Vinny
> > >> www.wulfsden
> > >>
> > >> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com,  
> "brouwerkent"
> > >> <philip@> wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> > Have others looked at this new plugin?
> > >> >
> > >> > http://www.georgedewolfe.com/perceptool.html
> > >> >
> > >> > Phil
> > >> >
> > >>
> > > >
> > > >
> >
>
>
> 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

What this software package seems to do, judging just from it's web page, looks a lot like what good printers have been doing for years.  I continue to think that mastering Photoshop as a toolset is a better approach than the plethora of software solutions, but each to his/her own.  These canned software solutions remind me of the workshops where some people want to know where the "Ansel Adams" button is.  Good printing in the digital era does require some software, but it remains fundamentally, in my view, an aesthetic. 

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com 

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "brouwerkent" <philip@...> wrote:

>
> Have others looked at this new plugin?  
> 
> http://www.georgedewolfe.com/perceptool.html
> 
> Phil
>

Unfortunately it appears to only be for PC's.
But the galleries inspire me.

Marvin
pixelphoto@...






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Oops, I spoke to soon. It is also for the MAC!

Marvin
pixelphoto@...






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "pixelphoto@..." <pixelphoto@...> wrote:
>
> Unfortunately it appears to only be for PC's.
> But the galleries inspire me.
> 
> Marvin
> pixelphoto@...
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
I am using the free demo on a Mac Pro.  It comes as a plug-in and a script.  Both run well but require a lot of processing power.  They give a greater sense of depth to black and white photos - not color.  It works well in some but tends to darken some areas such as blue skies and alters the whole tone of the picture.

Ross.

PercepTool is available for PC now. They were having a problem getting the
script out (script works only in PShop Extended, not PShop Standard, anyway)
and it won't run in PShop 64-bit, but works fine in PShop 32-bit on Vista
64-bit. I also had a problem getting the trial version to run, but that may
be fixed by now.

 

  - susan



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

At 12:22 PM 5/31/2009, you wrote:

>PercepTool is available for PC now.
>
>- susan

The web site says it is still only available for 
Macs:  http://www.georgedewolfe.com/perceptool.html

Tina

Tina Manley
www.tinamanley.com

Greetings,

I tried it on a Katrina image:

http://www.christerart.com/slideshow3/show_1115.jpg

and it did exactly what you mentioned - darkened the highlights and  
lightened the dark areas which in my mind made the image less powerful.

And it is indeed agonizingly slow.

As far as I am concerned it does nothing someone who has a decent  
knowledge and experience cannot do him/herself.

Regards,

Christer


On May 31, 2009, at 6:16 AM, DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  wrote:

> 1a. Re: PercepTool
>    Posted by: "Gerald Davey" gdavey@... daveygerald
>    Date: Sat May 30, 2009 6:58 am ((PDT))
>
> I'm trying it now. I've only worked with the automatic settings and
> haven't been able to access the customizable features yet. It can
> sometimes bring out significant features in shadow areas, but it
> seems to have a strong tendency to darken some highlight areas e.g.,
> sky, that looks strange. So, I can't be definitive. I'd say try the
> 30 day free trial.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> G. Davey


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

With my results so far, I've thought the same thing- even though the  
site argues that it's not possible to duplicate the result. I have to  
be convinced far more than I have been!

All the Best,

G. D.
On May 31, 2009, at 12:56 PM, Christer Rosewell wrote:

>
>
> Greetings,
>
> I tried it on a Katrina image:
>
> http://www.christerart.com/slideshow3/show_1115.jpg
>
> and it did exactly what you mentioned - darkened the highlights and
> lightened the dark areas which in my mind made the image less  
> powerful.
>
> And it is indeed agonizingly slow.
>
> As far as I am concerned it does nothing someone who has a decent
> knowledge and experience cannot do him/herself.
>
> Regards,
>
> Christer
>
> On May 31, 2009, at 6:16 AM,  
> DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> wrote:
>
> > 1a. Re: PercepTool
> > Posted by: "Gerald Davey" gdavey@... daveygerald
> > Date: Sat May 30, 2009 6:58 am ((PDT))
> >
> > I'm trying it now. I've only worked with the automatic settings and
> > haven't been able to access the customizable features yet. It can
> > sometimes bring out significant features in shadow areas, but it
> > seems to have a strong tendency to darken some highlight areas e.g.,
> > sky, that looks strange. So, I can't be definitive. I'd say try the
> > 30 day free trial.
> >
> > Best Regards,
> >
> > G. Davey
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Would be nice to see the before and after.
Debbi

>Greetings,
>
>I tried it on a Katrina image:
>
>http://www.christerart.com/slideshow3/show_1115.jpg
>
>and it did exactly what you mentioned - darkened the highlights and 
>lightened the dark areas which in my mind made the image less powerful.
>
>And it is indeed agonizingly slow.
>
>As far as I am concerned it does nothing someone who has a decent 
>knowledge and experience cannot do him/herself.
>
>Regards,
>
>Christer
>
>
>On May 31, 2009, at 6:16 AM, DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
>   wrote:
>
>>  1a. Re: PercepTool
>>     Posted by: "Gerald Davey" gdavey@... daveygerald
>>     Date: Sat May 30, 2009 6:58 am ((PDT))
>>
>>  I'm trying it now. I've only worked with the automatic settings and
>>  haven't been able to access the customizable features yet. It can
>>  sometimes bring out significant features in shadow areas, but it
>>  seems to have a strong tendency to darken some highlight areas e.g.,
>>  sky, that looks strange. So, I can't be definitive. I'd say try the
>>  30 day free trial.
>>
>>  Best Regards,
>>
>  > G. Davey

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "pr_roark" <pr_roark@...> wrote:
>
> What this software package seems to do, judging just from it's web page, looks a lot like what good printers have been doing for years.  I continue to think that mastering Photoshop as a toolset is a better approach than the plethora of software solutions, but each to his/her own.  These canned software solutions remind me of the workshops where some people want to know where the "Ansel Adams" button is.  Good printing in the digital era does require some software, but it remains fundamentally, in my view, an aesthetic. 

I agree Paul, it is an aesthetic; taste and vision. Perhaps George has distilled his aesthetic to a formula?

I checked it out with the demo. It appears to work best on a "standard" landscape; darkening the sky, opening up the shadows, doing some large diameter sharpening (perhaps in LAB) and burning the edges. I applied it to 20 of my Landscapes. On most, it ruined them but on 2 of the 20 images, I liked it. I did use edit/fade to back it off, to 20% and 10% but I'll keep the result. 

It appears to be a tool that can occasionally help. I'll buy it.

Lynn

My experience exactly. George de Wolfe is a pretty well known  
photographer and writer and I have trouble seeing a great benefit on  
most of my images. As Peter said, it seemed to ruin most!

G. Davey


On May 31, 2009, at 11:19 PM, Peter De Smidt wrote:

>
>
> > I checked it out with the demo. It appears to work best on a
> > "standard" landscape; darkening the sky, opening up the shadows,  
> doing
> > some large diameter sharpening (perhaps in LAB) and burning the  
> edges.
> > I applied it to 20 of my Landscapes. On most, it ruined them but  
> on 2
> > of the 20 images, I liked it. I did use edit/fade to back it off, to
> > 20% and 10% but I'll keep the result.
> But can't you do those things fairly easily using Photoshop?
>
>
> 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> I checked it out with the demo. It appears to work best on a 
> "standard" landscape; darkening the sky, opening up the shadows, doing 
> some large diameter sharpening (perhaps in LAB) and burning the edges. 
> I applied it to 20 of my Landscapes. On most, it ruined them but on 2 
> of the 20 images, I liked it. I did use edit/fade to back it off, to 
> 20% and 10% but I'll keep the result.
But can't you do those things fairly easily using Photoshop?

Peter De Smidt schreef:

> But can't you do those things fairly easily using Photoshop?

According to a DPreview thread in the News forum it isn't that simple.


-- 
Met vriendelijke groeten,   Ernst


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--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Debbi <corkie@...> wrote:
>
> Would be nice to see the before and after.
> Debbi
> 
Just go back and forth in History to see before and after

Vinnwww.wulfsden.com

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Christer Rosewell <christerart@...> wrote:
>
> Greetings,
> 
> I tried it on a Katrina image:
> 
> http://www.christerart.com/slideshow3/show_1115.jpg
> 
> and it did exactly what you mentioned - darkened the highlights and  
> lightened the dark areas which in my mind made the image less powerful.
> 
> And it is indeed agonizingly slow.
> 
> As far as I am concerned it does nothing someone who has a decent  
> knowledge and experience cannot do him/herself.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Christer
> 

How does it work with images to which you've added layers?  Do you have to flatten the layers first?

Oh, I wonder if that is my fault?  I saw it was available for Windows and downloaded it, then identified several problems and sent a message to George about them. I guess the problems were enough they decided to withdraw the offering. Sorry sorry sorry - my days as a programmer and beta tester had an unintended effect. 

The problems I found were all with packaging, so hopefully they will be able to fix them quickly.

  - susan

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Tina Manley <images@...> wrote:

>
> At 12:22 PM 5/31/2009, you wrote:
> 
> >PercepTool is available for PC now.
> >
> >- susan
> 
> The web site says it is still only available for 
> Macs:  http://www.georgedewolfe.com/perceptool.html
> 
> Tina
> 
> Tina Manley
> www.tinamanley.com
>

Morning everybody

I just wanted to thank all those of you on this particular forum, which is so important to B&W Printing, for looking at the new B&W Printing book and PercepTool. There has been much discussion in other places and I'd like to respond here about some of the questions you may have.

1. What does PercepTool do?
The camera image and the image on the human retina of the eye see a luminance image that lacks depth. The visual cortex of the brain takes that luminance image and processes it so that the edges and contrast are optimized for a 3D image. PercepTool mimics that process. The great masters of painting and photography were able to do this because of great practice, expertise, and genius. It can also be accomplished in Photoshop with much effort, skill, experience and…genius. Why do you think that there are so few masters?

2. Why wasn't PercepTool included with the book, B&W Printing?
The answer is simple - the publisher would not publish a CD with the book, so I had no choice and had to market it separately. The price has been reviewed as just right, too much, and not enough. The typo that shows the PercepTool price as 19.95 in the book as compared with 89.95 on the website is a pure and simple copy editor error that no one caught. It will be changed in subsequent editions of the book. If you think you were upset when you saw it, you should have seen me!

3.  Why was the workflow in done Lightroom and Photoshop?
I explain, thoroughly, that the workflow in the book is a guide and make a point of it. I use both Photoshop and Lightroom in my workflow, but anyone with the least bit of expertise could work out a workflow for Photoshop and Camera Raw alone, Aperture and Photoshop, NIkon Capture NX, or any other photoprocessing software. I even have a chapter on how to think about making a workflow. The workflow I suggest is simple, which is the way most real masters work. None of the ones I've known and worked with were complicated. I've even included workflow examples at the end of each chapter to show other masters who work entirely different from me to show that greatness in workflow is the power of end masterpiece, be it simple or complex.  If you don't like my workflow, don't complain about it, just make your own, for crying out loud.

4.  PercepTool availability.
Perceptool is now available for both Windows XP and Vista and Macintosh Intel. For those of you who have Photoshop Standard, the script works in 8 and 16 bits per channel and in Photoshop Extended in 32, 16, and 8 bits per channel. The main reason for this discrepancy is that layers are not totally supported in Standard in 32 bits per channel, required by the scripts. The noUI Filter plugin works always at 100% and works in 32 bits per channel on all versions. The is no 64 bit version for Vista 64. The speed in version 1.5.5 is around 8x faster than the original. We had a breakthrough just after the software was introduced and is the reason for the quick availability. In addition, I should point out that the interface sliders in the script UI show "real-time" image adjustment, not a proxy in a window like so many other Photoshop plugins. I believe this is a first for this. We will continue to work

5.  Installation.
Actually, the largest problem we've had is installation. Most of the emails I get are about how to install PercepTool. Short of making an installer, we have made it as simple as we can, and the instructions are clear. Eventually we do plan to add an installer, but the initial cost was expensive. Please, please, please, read the installation instructions and follow them precisely. We've had people, for instance, that only installed the 3 plugin because they thought it was for PS3. You need to install both 3 and 4 plugins.

6. Ad hominum attacks.
I do not respond at all to ad hominum attacks or questions from anyone. Neither did Benjamin Franklin.

7.  The reason for the book.
The book was written to revive the idea of photographic masterpiece and how to create one in the simplest way possible. Most people have missed this point. Many want to talk about LIghtroom and Photoshop and Tips and Tricks, but the book is NOT about those things. It's about masterpiece and how to think about making one and how great painters and photographers think and work it through. Most people who look for the latest trick are what I call "lick players." In Bluegrass Music there are people who play songs and people who play licks connected together on the banjo. People who play songs use licks, but they have a sense of the whole as well. Lick players have no sense of the whole. A masterpiece demands that you have a feeling and technical expertise for the whole. If you haven't seen the whole, you're a lick player.

8. Printing.
Some have complained about my lack of coverage of printers and color management. Printing and color management are, in reality, a simple matter. All you need for B&W printing is a high quality monitor that is calibrated, printer environment (printer,ink, paper) profiles that are very accurate and linearized in the L channel, and, of course, a high quality printer and paper. The most important aspect of printing and photography is the "Artist's Eye." The Artist's Eye is what my book B&W Printing and PercepTool are all about.

My regards and many thanks to you all.

George DeWolfe

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "George DeWolfe" <dewolfe04679@...> wrote:
>
> Morning everybody
> 
> I just wanted to thank all those of you on this particular forum, which is so important to B&W Printing, for looking at the new B&W Printing book and PercepTool...

I have to say, after trying the demo on a few scans of difficult B&W images, I was impressed. It moved things in a direction I would have gone anyway, with a bit less hairpulling, even though I would probably continue to finesse from there. My only problem with it was some haloing, but those of us working with complex masking, and/or HDR, are used to dealing with this kind of thing...
I think many would find this useful. Sure you can get to a similar place with normal tools, but there's nothing wrong with simplifying workflow, which in and of itself gets less and less fascinating over the years, in favor of the work itself.

I think people should try the free demo if curious, it's a valid printmaker tool, developed by a printmaker and artist. You'll still have plenty of work and decisions to make yourself.
Tyler
http://www.custom-digital.com/

I agree Tyler... as for the haloing, perhaps the interface could have an advanced mode.  PerceptTool appears to do a huge blur on the whole image and then use this as some sort of alpha channel.  Perhaps in an advanced mode you could control the degree of blur.

(My favorite sharpening app, FocalBlade, has a fantastic interface for adjusting the mask.)

Ed


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Tyler Boley" <tyler@...> wrote:

>
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "George DeWolfe" <dewolfe04679@> wrote:
> >
> > Morning everybody
> > 
> > I just wanted to thank all those of you on this particular forum, which is so important to B&W Printing, for looking at the new B&W Printing book and PercepTool...
> 
> I have to say, after trying the demo on a few scans of difficult B&W images, I was impressed. It moved things in a direction I would have gone anyway, with a bit less hairpulling, even though I would probably continue to finesse from there. My only problem with it was some haloing, but those of us working with complex masking, and/or HDR, are used to dealing with this kind of thing...
> I think many would find this useful. Sure you can get to a similar place with normal tools, but there's nothing wrong with simplifying workflow, which in and of itself gets less and less fascinating over the years, in favor of the work itself.
> 
> I think people should try the free demo if curious, it's a valid printmaker tool, developed by a printmaker and artist. You'll still have plenty of work and decisions to make yourself.
> Tyler
> http://www.custom-digital.com/
>