Tonight I downloaded the 30day free trial of Light Craft's LightZone software. I have been experimenting and hope to get some feedback. My lovely wife can only tolerate the question "Which image do you prefer?" so many times. So I turn to my knowledgable friends on PentaxForums. The original image was taken on the K10D using Tamron 17-35 shooting DNG.
The below image is a straightforward Raw(DNG) conversion in Photoshop Elements using ACR 3.6
The image below is a straightforward Raw conversion with Benjamin Karnarack's Accentuation Process. This photograph would be typical of my workflow in Photoshop Elements.
The image below is how Lightzone interpreted the K10D DNG file without any changes.
The image below is the result of my utilizing some exposure compensation and accentuation within LightZone.
The last image is my favorite. The color separation on the yellow plant in foreground is especially notable. Do others prefer it, too?
If so, what I conclude is that in 1 hour, I have learned to create a better image in LightZone than I have in 2 years using Elements.
Comments, suggestions and tips most welcome and appreciated.
PS: I apologize if the four photos are hard to compare as laid out on top of each other.