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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!

BTS video: Stay on top of your game

High-end retoucher Pratik Naik shares his passion for retouching and explains why Capture One Pro has become “an industry standard”:

Photographs: Emotional pieces of art

To Pratik Naik, photographs can be defined as very emotional pieces of art. Personally, Capture One Pro is equal with the best result when delivering that vision to a customer, which is why he’s now been using it for about six years.

His explanation of why Capture One Pro has become the foundation of what professionals do every day is simply that the software is efficient but also very capable.

“Fashion photographers on set, they’re using it on a day-to-day basis because it’s industry standard, I mean.. If you’re using something else, you’re probably not on the top of your game”. – Pratik Naik

Nowadays, everyone has a camera, but one must not forget that photography is an art and with the right tools, you can express your own personal appearance.

Colors and connections

Pratik Naik’s favorite part about Capture One Pro is that the color tools give him the ability to make him feel like he’s actually there, when he’s looking at a picture. The fact that each camera has a specific profile that’s designed for Capture One makes the pictures unique, which is very hard not to appreciate.

“It makes sense right away, it feels like it connects the second we see that image pop up on the screen.. and how beautiful its colors are an how beautiful the texture is.. It feels like you’re right there in the moment” – Pratik Naik

From a photographer’s perspective

As the full BTS video states, Capture One Pro is not only an important tool for the retoucher, but also for the photographer.

For example, Capture One Pro 9 enables you to get essential file information and to obtain the right colors and skin tones in order to come very close to the final look, an important and straight-forward process to photographer Jonas Jensen.

Watch the full BTS video from the photoshoot with professional photographer Jonas Jensen:

See more of Pratik’s work

Check out Pratik’s blog

Ticking all the boxes at Broadway

Years ago when I was doing sweaty production shoots at tech rehearsals for London’s West End shows, I never thought I’d be asked to shoot a portfolio shot of Tony nominated Broadway stars in New York. So when BroadwayBlack asked to to be involved in their highlight of this year’s black nominees, I didn’t have to think long to say yes. It’s the culmination of so many of the different areas of photography I’ve become interested in over the years. To combine something that’s anthropologically important, culturally current and aesthetically pleasing. As a photographer, that ticks all the boxes.

Light Testing

One way that I gain an advantage in this competitive industry is to maintain a certain standard when it comes to lighting and posing. To achieve this, I love to do lots and lots of light testing.

I live in a large loft apartment in Brooklyn, with a fair amount of space, which means I can easily test from here. Having the opportunity to test before the shoot makes it a lot easier to plan ahead and be prepared.

For a big big job like this where there is celebrity talent, where timing is tight and scheduling is a challenge, I had to plan out my poses, plan out exactly what my lighting setup was gonna be and make sure it worked. There’s a big difference between a lighting diagram jotted down on a napkin and one actually executed in the studio and one that looks good!

So to prep I had my intern and a stylist friend come over and pose patiently while I messed with the light, messed with the angles, messed with the composites, messed with the poses, etc. I wasn’t happy until I got to a point where I felt inspired. A ‘jump-off point’ to finesse on the day.

Light testing gives me a chance to take the pressure off myself, shoot with friends, no clients on set, take my time, let the process take over, explore new things, mess around.

While these aren’t the final poses or exact lighting setup we used on the day, it helped me find my way in the process. I feel it is important here to show my process when I do these group portraits, how much planning goes into it. So while these images are very low-grade composites, not meant for final publication, they really help me and the team to see my vision. I sent this to my producer and the publication to give them an idea and they loved it. I also printed it out to show the talent on set.

To achieve this swiftly and efficiently, I tethered Phase One XF 100 MP straight into Capture One Pro 9, applied my basic colour curves, exported and then composited the images into Photoshop. Because we didn’t know how many nominees would be in the final shot, I did a test with 4 and one with 8 subjects, just to be prepared.

Production

Because of the challenges of scheduling and location (these guys all have shows to perform in, 6 days a week), we couldn’t drag the talent to studios miles away in Brooklyn, we had to stick close to midtown Manhattan. To avoid expensive studio locations, we found a rehearsal space, Pearl Studios, that was close enough to the theatre district. I went and scoped it out, my producer solved the problem of getting 14’ backdrops up to the 12th floor (elevators are too small) and we schlepped a van load of equipment up a passenger elevator.

The backdrop & corresponding floor, sourced from Oliphant, transformed a plain rehearsal space into something a little more visually appealing and befitting the glamorous talent. The space just happened to have a grand piano for us to use, so naturally in it goes. For lighting I used two battery powered Elinchrom ELB 400 packs and my trusty Elinchrom modifiers. We kept it fairly simple, as usual.

Everything was set… Now I just needed to actually shoot!

The shoot

I set the Phase One XF 100 MP on a tripod, marked it down, and started putting together the shot, one subject at a time.

My focus on every shoot is to get all the technicalities out of the way, to focus on making the talent feel comfortable. I tend to start that while they are in hair and make-up. My general rule of thumb is to make some jokes, get them to react in a genuine way, where I feel that they are on the same page as me, to gain trust before the subject even steps foot on set.

First up was LeChanze, who is actually a previous Tony Awardee and agreed to be part of the shoot, to pass the torch to the next generation. She brought her Tony award but I decided not to include it in the shot, I wanted to create a timeless image. Instead I highlighted her by giving her separate backdrop to pose in front of. This elevates her importance in the shot without any pretension.

Then it was Pascal Armand (Eclipsed), Saycon Sengbloh (Eclipsed), Brandon Dixon (Shuffle Along) and Adrienne Warren (Shuffle Along). For each of them, I tried to set the mood by generally being silly, energetic and doing unhealthy amounts of mirroring (demonstrating poses). Below is me doing my best ‘Beyonce in the wind impression’.

We tethered the entire shoot into my laptop, using Capture One Pro 9, replete with the extra-secure jerk-stopping piece of tape on the USB cable.

There’s no feeling quite like showing the subjects the photos as they are coming in. When you know they are good, they see that they are good, they get into the mood and it makes my job easy.

Obviously the end result is very different from the light test, but that’s just how things end up working out. No shoot I’ve ever done worked out exactly to plan, and that’s part of the beauty of photography. I like the result more more, with each person existing in their own space within the image.

To achieve individuality, I interacted with each subject enough to get an idea of the kind of pose that would work for them; for example, that’s how LaChanze’s effortless beauty and Adrienne’s ‘athletic cool’ really shines through. The goal is always to show personality. I want them to feel comfortable, they aren’t models, I want their individual characters to show.

Compositing

For a composite shot like this, the 100 megapixel capability of the Phase One XF 100 MP really shines, it allows me to get a depth of detail that gives us complete control. Compositing people into images is always more complex than it initially appears, we start to get into parallax issues, details not quite matching up, etc. But having pixel depth gives me options.

On tight schedules, options are everything. A complicated composite like this is made much easier because we’re using the best equipment available.

Photographer: Felix Kunze
Production: Dual.Phocus
Make-up: Bob Scott
Hair & Styling: Chloe Chada