Thoughts on Phase One Capture One Pro 7

Along Red Creek, Jackson Hole Wyoming 2012

Canon 1DsIII, 24-70mm f/5 1/160 ISO 100

 

Phase One has for sometime now offered its own software processing package not only for their digital backs but other cameras as well.  I've been using Capture One Pro (C1 Pro) for several years, primarily to process images captured with the Cambo WRS tech camera and to a smaller degree other cameras we've used such as the Leica M9, Sandy's 1DsIII and now the Phase DF.
 

I am far from being an expert in C1.  I do however use it to suite me which it has.  My primary use has been performing lens caste corrections (LCC) on images taken with the WRS.  These files are further processed using the exposure and high dynamic range as well as white balance tools found in C1 Pro.  C1 Pro also allows me to have a process receipt enabling me to save the work done into a separate file that I then can open in Photoshop for final processing.  While most if not everything I do in processing an file can be done in C1 Pro I'm much more intimately familiar with Photoshop so this works well for me.  Any image I decide to share on the web is opened in C1 Pro and using a yet another set of receipts saved as a Jpeg, watermarked for web use.
 

Please don't expect any words of wisdom here regarding how to use C1 or how to unlock a secret processing receipt as frankly I don't have it.  What I can do is refer you to any number of areas on the web that contain information from those who know the program a heck of a lot more than I.  Since you're reading this on our blog the hard part is almost over.  Glance over to the right side of your screen.  See the link for Capture Integration?  Click it and get to know these people; not only do they sell great equipment they also offer training on C1.  Since you're looking on the right side of the blog continue down to the "Links" section.  Click on GetDpi and The Luminous Landscape, both are great forums that offer a free exchange of ideas and information on photographic equipment, techniques and software.
 

So you're probably a little disappointed that you haven't read much directly relating to C1 (that is if you've stayed with me this long).  
 

Here's a few of my thoughts on C1.  I like it; the LCC is much better that 6 was - again easier and much faster and I feel a tad more accurate.  There's an improvement for auto white balance, support for 16bit JPEG 2000 while supporting a slew of camera makers.  If you shoot with either a Phase, Leaf or Mamiya you are more than likely already using C1.  If you're using Canon, Nikon, Leica then you owe it to yourself to at least try the program.
 

Finally a plug.  Ken Doo and I have for the past couple years offered an excuse to get together one a year and host a "gathering".  Notice we don't call it a "workshop".  Last time we did this we were joined by our mutual friend Dave Gallagher of Capture Integration.  Dave is joining us again this coming February and will be bringing toys from Atlanta for people to not only see and touch but to try out.  We'll be shooting one-day in and around San Francisco before heading south to Carmel where we'll continue shooting in the Big Sur area before Dave puts on a multi-hour introductory course on C1 Pro 7.  We're still in the planning stages with setting up sites along the way.  What and who this is for:  Anyone interested in photography.  Likewise anyone who has a strong sense of humor.  And anyone who wants to learn something.   You'll learn and have a good time at it however don't expect a structured workshop other than Dave's presentation on C1 7.  Stay tuned here as well as Ken's blog and of course Dave's website for further information.

 

Along Red Creek, Jackson Hole Wyoming 2012

Phase One DF/55mm LS and an IQ160 f/2.8 1/200 ISO 50
 

You may have noticed 2-images with this post.  One was shot with a Canon 1DsIII and 24-70 lens while the other with a Phase DF/55mm LS lens and an IQ160 digital back.  Both were opened in C1 Pro 7 where they were checked for exposure warning, and focus mask before using auto exposure and checking high dynamic range as well as white balance tools.  The files were then saved using a process recipe for later use with Photoshop CS6 (64bit).  The files were later opened in CS6 where slightly more processing was done before saving as a Tiff.  Back to C1 where the files were saved for the web using yet another set of  processing recipes.   In short - the file was first opened in C1 before saving and opening in CS6 where it was then later saved and reopened in C1 to be saved as a web file.  I've found that C1 offers a much better and much easier method of saving web-images than CS6.  My processing isn't for everyone and you really need to find a workflow that works best for you.  One of the major reasons I open the files first in C1 is that I can zoom into the file much faster and easier than attempting to do it using Bridge.  Again it works for me.
 

Thank you for staying with me this long and come back for more updates as they develop.  As always, your thoughts, suggestions, and questions are always welcome.

 

 

Don