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A successful collaboration with separate viewpoints

NOTE: This article discusses an outdated version of Capture One. To learn more about our latest version, click here.

Landscape photography can be a lonesome pursuit, and if I’m honest that’s generally the way I prefer it. The time alone really allows one to connect with the landscape, the mind freeing itself of the daily stresses of modern life. After a few hours alone in the wilderness, I begin to feel free, truly alive and everything else just slips away, I’m in the moment. This is when the creativity just flows, and it’s that feeling that I long for when I’m sitting at my desk writing blog posts or processing images.

Same location, separate viewpoints

However, we are social creatures, and even the most introverted people can benefit from some form of collaboration in their lives, particularly when it comes to photography. I met Darryll Jones at a camera launch event, where I was present in an ambassador role. I’d seen Darryll lying on the floor around the gardens of the country house where the event was being held, I initially thought he was just experimenting with low angles, he was in fact photographing toy storm troopers. To be precise, he was taking pictures of ‘Eric’ the storm trooper, and it turns out that Eric has upwards of a 100,000 followers on Instagram!

Let me cut a long story short by telling you that Darryll and I hit it off straight away, we were on the same wave length. We believed that we could tell the story of a location from two separate viewpoints, rather than say, two landscape photographers collaborating and coming away with more or less the same images. I would produce the finer art, classic landscape imagery, whilst Darryll tells the story from Eric’s point of view, somewhere within this chaos, Eric and I cross paths and share the adventure.

Getting started

Darryll and I had our first trip together to the Lake District, Cumbria in the UK, as a kind of test run. We found that we really feed off each other’s creativity, we get excited about the opportunities within landscape before us, yet we come away with a different story to tell. With the first trip being a success, we decided to go a little further afield. Within the UK it doesn’t get much more rugged and beautiful than on the Isle of Skye, the largest island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago, which is connected to Scotland’s northwest coast by bridge. During this trip, we would have the use of a very special camera indeed, the Alpa A-series, kindly supplied by Phase One. The A-series is a very beautiful camera indeed, a real work of art, and my first venture into medium format photography.

Shooting with the Alpa A-series

The A-series IQ3 Camera System comes with all the accessories needed straight out of the box, comprising of a beautiful wooden handled mid-section, which the lenses and IQ3 back attach to, assembly is a breeze and the whole system oozes quality. For our trip, we had three lenses available to us, the ultra-wide Alpagon f/5.6 23mm, the wide ALPAR f/4.0 35mm and the Alpagon f/5.6 70mm. Without wanting to sound too pretentious, I consider myself an artist, not a technician.

As long as I can get the camera system to do what I want and deliver great results, then I’m happy, I don’t study the finer details of lens construction or count pixels. I do like my kit to be a joy to use, however, I find that most modern DSLR and mirrorless camera systems come with many features that I never find myself utilising. With the A-series, it’s back to basics, a fully manual camera, which dictates a different kind of workflow. A slowed down, methodical approach is required, this totally suits my style of working, and the system is an absolute pleasure to use. It’s not a camera for beginners, but then a beginner certainly wouldn’t be investing in this level of kit.

Individual preferences – individual stories

As we travelled around the Isle of Skye, it’s difficult not to want to stop and take an image around every bend in the road; additionally, the typically changeable light of the Hebrides presenting us with picturesque view in all directions. Personally, I prefer the moodier, overcast days for my style of photography, always striving to evoke the mood of the landscape before me, whilst attempting to simplify the elements within the frame.

As I hike out in to the landscape, Darryll can be found clambering around rocky shores, and wading through rivers with Eric and friends, Billie the Scout Trooper for example! With us both immersing ourselves in the environment, time slips away, minutes turn to hours. I often find this time outdoors Zen like, sometimes no thoughts entering my mind other than searching for a good viewpoint from which to make an image. I enjoy looking for detail in the landscape, perhaps concentrating on the geological features, creating abstract imagery which can give us clues as to the history of a location.

High level image quality

After our first day out with the A-series, we were keen to get back to base and see what we’d captured that day. Immediately upon opening one of the files we were absolutely astounded at the image quality, it is something that I’d never experienced previously. My own personal camera is a full frame Sony A7R, which is pretty amazing image quality it has to be said, but the A-series is another level altogether. That large sensor (2.5 times larger than a full frame DSLR) creating almost 3D like images, with such impressive dynamic range. Additionally, the Rodenstock lenses supplied gave us beautiful bright, distortion free images.

Cool IQ3 back features

As mentioned previously, working with the A-series is a stripped back approach, getting back to basics with camera techniques. However, the IQ3 back does have a few very useful features. I found the Live view function perfect for focusing, a simple double-tap on the touchscreen and you are zoomed in to 100%, whilst zoomed in, I’d adjust the focus ring, using this technique I found the images to be pin sharp every time, almost alarmingly so!

The Alpa A addiction

Eventually we had to give back the A-series, we were not happy about this. Adjusting to life after the Alpa has been difficult for me especially, but life goes on and we managed to capture the images that you see here, which we hope you enjoy! Using the Alpa A-series was just a phenomenal experience, for me this is the pinnacle of cutting edge photography. Phase One’s IQ3 digital backs paired with the precision engineered Alpa lenses and body are perfect for landscape photographers wishing to create the best quality fine art imagery.

If you’d like to follow our adventures more closely, and for the full story of our trip, please do head over to our various social media platforms.

Did you get curious to explore more pictures and adventures? Visit Karl’s and Darryll’s websites on the following links:

www.karlholtby.com

www.haveyouseeneric.com

Capture One Power tips: Browse multiple images with “Select Set”

NOTE: This article discusses an outdated version of Capture One. To learn more about our latest version, click here.

Capture One 9.2 introduced a number of powerful workflow related features, which can make your daily routines easier and more efficient.

My favorite of these new power tools is “Select Set”, which gives you the ability to browse through a collection of images in sets – choosing a range of images then advancing through the thumbnail list by the same number.

Selecting which images to work with

Before Capture One 9.2 was released, I would browse through all the images one by one and assign color tags – red for “reject”, green for “keep”. The problem arose though, that I would rate everything – even images virtually identical. Advancing one by one gives you no frame of reference to the last image.

In version 9.2 I can now load a set – maybe 6 or 8 images at a time, which is great for contextually comparing a range in the main viewer with big preview. Once I have the images loaded into the viewer I can target the rating to the key images in the set. There is though a trick to the new workflow, and that is the Edit primary switch. If I rate a selection like this, all images would be rated the same. As I would like to give different ratings to the different images in the viewer I have to make sure that I only edit the primary selected image.

I make sure that I only work on the primary selected image by deselecting the “Toggle between Edit Primary slected and Edit all selected images”. The red circle in the above screen grab indicates where to deselect it. Rating now only affects the Primary selected images – the image in the viewer with the thick white frame.

By being able to view a number of images at the same time it becomes much easier to compare and rate the best images in a collection of images.

Setting op for browsing multiple images at a time

When I want to browse through a collection of images – e.g. 6 at a time I start selecting the first 6 images in the browser.
To load the next 6 images I hold down the Alt key + “->” arrow key
To cycle the primary selected image among the images displayed in the viewer, I simply use the “->” key. On a Mac I will need to use Cmd key + “->” if I’ve hidden the browser.

After my initial rating I will start working with the best images and during this process often end up making a number of variants of some of the better images. To select the best variants in the end I will again go through my collection now filtered for the green images (the keepers) then assign star ratings to rank them by best shots.

Adding or removing images from the set of images in the viewer

In the case where you might want to increase/decrease the selected set size, then there are additional shortcuts to do this quickly:

“Shift “ + “->” arrow : Loads one more image into the set of images in the viewer.

“Shift “ + “<-” arrow: Removes one image from the set of images in the viewer.

All the best,

Niels

Easy file selection with Capture One 9.2

I have had the pleasure to try out Phase One’s Capture One 9.2, which enhances the usability surrounding image management.

This recent update has untangled and solved the industry’s long issue of selecting and utilizing selects from my clients, based on simple lists. I’ve no longer had to spend vital hours finding and selecting my images individually based around my clients selects, as the handy new feature allows me to simply copy and paste a list from emails and documents, applying said information to Capture One Pro 9.2 for quick and easy selection.

Capture One 9.2 allows me to organise efficiently

As always, Capture One Pro 9 has benefited my work flow, even more so with the new features available to me throughout the new update, it is essential that my work flow remains at ease and organised. With the vast amount of shots taken from each of my outdoor shoots, I rack up a large number of files for myself and my studio staff to work through.

In the past, when receiving ‘Selects’ from my clients, I have had to sift through each file individually, typing in file names to rate each file. I have tried numerous methods to aid this such as writing my own scripts, however, Phase One has realised that this is a problem that their software can solve and have introduced the efficient new ‘Select from filename list’ function. Providing a fast and easy way of copying and pasting lists of files directly into Capture One 9.2, which is able to automatically select all corresponding files.

How Capture One 9.2 benefits my work

The first and most essential feature I’ve been using is that of selecting primary variants and sets of images within the browser. This is excellent, allowing me to easily compare images against each other for key characteristics such as exposure or colour grading, however, the tool is easily utilized both pre and post processing. This feature found through the ‘edit’ menu allows me select primary images that can be coupled alongside corresponding compositions, furthermore by creating sets of images I’m able to use easy key shortcuts to navigate through each set conveniently.

My use of these easy to use sets doesn’t end there, to organise my workload further I use handy shortcuts to rate my images based on quality and importance, ensuring only the best for the client. Doing this within sets is efficient and free flowing. Once a client has provided their chosen selects I use the brilliant new album creation tool to generate an album from the client selects list, this automates the whole process of dragging and dropping selected files for me, boost my work flow creativity. The way in which Capture One Pro 9.2 has eliminated the tedious tasks of commercial photography is gratifying.

Improved user interface

I’m very pleased to find that there is improved customisability towards key bindings and user functionality within Capture One 9.2, being someone who prefers to utilise software to my own needs, this is an essential new feature. When working with large numbers of files and automation functions, it is key to ensure that I can maximise time by binding my mouse and keyboard shortcuts to suit me. We all have our own work styles and flows, meaning that this update is a huge advantage towards feeling even more comfortable towards the use of trusted commercial software. Not only this, but one can also design key binding presets, allowing different key binding profiles for a variation of tasks, I can easily change these using the drop down menu.

Raw image quality

Through my promise to deliver the highest standard to my clients, I have taken vast proven trust in Capture One to provide accurate quality and colour to my raw files from my various shoots. Leading into a favourite new feature, which is that of ‘Raw Vs TIFF’ files retaining accurate quality, allowing the same seamless colour grades across the file types. This gives me reassurance towards the software I’m using in the commercial industry.

All in all, Phase One has really brought a user defined update to their excellent Capture One software, allowing photographers in the commercial medium to optimise and extend the quality of their work. I would suggest the use of Capture One 9.2 to any photographer with high confidence.

Images by MUSTO

Check out more of Pete’s work

New features in Capture One Pro 9.2

Hot of the heels of Capture One 9.1 comes Capture One (you guessed it) 9.2. The main theme of this release is to offer more ways to view and select, increase flexibility, with shortcuts and add a couple of other new features too. There are lots of features to really help you work smarter and not harder in 9.2.

Let’s take a look at the feature list, one by one.

Select and Deselect Primary Variant

Select and Deselect Primary Variant is a new menu item, useful for returning to a single selected image in the Viewer or removing the Primary from a selection. For example, if I have a few images selected, like so…

… and I want to select the Primary only, simply choose the new command.

This returns the selection to the Primary only…

For a shortcut, you can also Shift-Click the Primary Variant to deselect the others. I like this as if you view a Set of images (more on those below!), it’s so quick to return to the ‘hero’ of that set with this new feature.

Selecting and Moving through ‘Sets’

‘Sets’ is a new feature that provides a unique and powerful way to move through sets of images for comparison and rating purposes.
Selecting two or more images then classes them as a ‘Set’. So by using the new Select Next or Previous Set command, the following or preceding images are then selected.

Note that we have already predefined a Short cut key, Option/Alt + Arrow, so you can move through sets quickly. Once in a set, you can use CMD/CTRL+ Arrow to change the Primary Variant.
Therefore, think of this workflow…

1. Define a set (This should be two or more images, depending on how many you want to review at a time)
2. Move through the set adding ratings or color tags with shortcuts. (NOTE – turn off Edit all selected Variants so that images in the set can be rated individually)

3. Move to the next set!

For collaborative work, this saves a huge amount of time, as the next Set is automatically selected. There was really no shortcut way of doing this before the 9.2 upgrade. You would manually have to select the next group of images. In a large collection, this will be a massive time saver and make the selection process easier for you and your clients on set.

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Selecting Collections

Simple but useful! If you are working in a Catalog or Session with multiple collections, a new menu item means you can move through them, even without the Library tool open. A default shortcut exists too.

This will surely save time when moving through albums or favorites, as you won’t have to return to the Library tool to start working on the next Collection. A whole culling process could be done without taking your hands off the keyboard!

Select by Same Variant Position

If you have a collection with a number of image clones, you can now choose to select by that same Variant position. It’s also been added to the Select By Same… dialog which was added in Capture One 9.1.

If you hadn’t spotted the Select By Same feature in version 9.1, it’s a fantastic menu for quickly making group selections based on Rating, Color Tags, Sequence ID’s and now Variant Position.

Select from Filename List

One of the most useful new features in Capture One 9.2 is the ability to select images based on a simple list. This will help enormously when receiving select lists from clients and no longer having to pick your way through large collections.

You will find it in a new Menu item that was added in Capture One 9.1 – Select By.

The Filename List… dialog gives you a few options on adding the list…

The simplest way is to copy / paste the list from your client in the window and choose how the filenames are separated from the Delimiter drop down menu.

In this case, each file name starts on a New line.

In case you have sent JPEGs to the client and you are browsing RAW files, a handy tip is to check the Ignore File Extension box, then only the filename is taken into account.

This feature is probably the biggest time saver in Capture One 9.2. Yes, there were a few work-arounds before, but nothing as simple and fluid as a copy/paste procedure to instantly pick out those selects and start processing out! This ties in very nicely with the next feature Create Album from Selection.

Any selection can be instantly turned into an Album. Simply select any images, or of course those generated from the Filename list, and choose Create Albums From, by right-clicking on any image.

A new album with all your selects is instantly created. Easy!

More Shortcuts

Everything we have seen so far is also available in the Keyboard Shortcuts editor and it’s worth spending some time to really optimize this. So if you feel, like me, that the new features in version 9.2 are going to save you a bunch of time, be sure to add them as a shortcut.
Additionally, the cursor shortcuts (e.g. c to enter the crop tool, are also now editable). Previously, they were locked to a factory default and if you were used to something else, it was frustrating to learn a new shortcut. Now you don’t have to, simply change it to your preferred.

Other Features

Aside from new shortcuts and easier workflows, we have also added a couple of other things.
The popular new feature Create Masked Layer from Color Selection can now be done on a batch of images.

Create color selections on a group of images, then choose Create Masked Layer from Selection on one of those images. The mask creation will then be done as a batch

I find this incredibly useful for a shoot (such as a still life) where the product is shot over a number of different angles but needs the same corrections. If those corrections involve a mask by color selection, preparing them as a batch saves that valuable production time.

Better TIF File Color Consistency

TIF file handling has been steadily improving in Capture One and now in Capture One 9.2 the colour handling has been improved so that the TIF file matches the RAW file if both are displayed in Capture One.

Round Trip to Helicon Focus

And finally, our customers focus stacking with the Phase One XF camera will be able to round trip to Helicon Focus, seeing the result returned to Capture One automatically.

So there we have it! A host of new features in Capture One 9.2 that are going to accelerate your workflow once again. If you want a quick visual run down of the features and where to find them, watch our “What’s new in Capture One Pro 9.2 video”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbfoXI9Ya-U

Don’t forget, if you have Capture One 9.x, this is a free upgrade. If you are on version 7 or 8, it’s available at a special discount. Get your upgrade here: Download free 30-day trial

Enjoy your new features!