I am happy with S120

[boogisha]

A topic inspired by the same lovely named one, but for S110 (thanks, oxon1 )

Please note that I`m a mere amateur and S120 is my first RAW capable camera, so upcoming pictures might not exactly show what the camera is capable of, but rather what I`m able to do with it at the moment

I`ll be posting some every-day shots that I find interesting, both JPEGs and processed RAWs (still learning, remember? ), taken in various shooting conditions.

Feel free to comment, suggest and advise, I`ll appreciate it, thanks.


#1, JPEG, ISO 3200 - "Zabranjeno pusenje", SKC (Belgrade, Serbia)


#2, JPEG, ISO 3200 - "Zabranjeno Pusenje", SKC (Belgrade, Serbia)

[ATTACH alt="#3, JPEG, "Slow Synchro" flash mode, flash being a bit too harsh on the face here"]557052[/ATTACH]
#3, JPEG, "Slow Synchro" flash mode, flash being a bit too harsh on the face here

[ATTACH alt="#4, JPEG, "Slow Synchro" flash mode, allowing for more ambient light to enter the frame"]557053[/ATTACH]
#4, JPEG, "Slow Synchro" flash mode, allowing for more ambient light to enter the frame

[ATTACH alt="#5, JPEG, "Slow Synchro" flash mode"]557054[/ATTACH]
#5, JPEG, "Slow Synchro" flash mode


#6, JPEG

[ATTACH alt="#7, JPEG, "Star Nightscape" mode, post-processed JPEG (levels normalized and yellow cast minimized)"]557056[/ATTACH]
#7, JPEG, "Star Nightscape" mode, post-processed JPEG (levels normalized and yellow cast minimized)


#8, Playing with RAW processing capabilities, animated (GIF) comparison with out-of-camera JPEG [edit] It seems that GIF animation isn`t working here, here`s the link to GIF -- http://i59.tinypic.com/15kppl.gif


#9, RAW, A bit artistic RAW processed JPEG (exploring RAW processing capabilities)


#10, RAW, Krupajsko vrelo, eastern Serbia (ND filter ON)


#11, RAW, Nikola Tesla museum, Belgrade (Serbia)


#12, RAW, Rottweiler, female


#13, RAW


#14, RAW, Bee macro, 100% crop (though I missed to focus the eye, the leg looks nice )

 

[Tonkotsu Ramen]

Very nice!

#8&9 tell me I need to start shooting raw

#14 nice leg ^_~

 

[oxon1]

Your Canon S120 rocks...!!

 

[boogisha]

Thanks, oxon1, (the most) important thing is that I`m happy with it And the more I learn about its possibilities and photography as a whole, the more I like it. It`s certainly not perfect (is any?), but pocketability was an important factor for me and I`m more than satisfied.

 

[boogisha]

Very nice!

#8&9 tell me I need to start shooting raw

#14 nice leg ^_~

Thanks, Tonkotsu, that was one patient bee, seems to be attracted to the shoe

Regarding RAW shooting, I prefer JPEG+RAW at the moment, being satisfied with JPEGs and usually RAW processing only some not so greatly exposed images in order to recover lost details.

But the last time I took around 100+ pictures during a day with friends and RAW processed them all. It took time, certainly, but I was gaining speed with each processed picture as I was noticing patterns I could aim for. It took me a bit less than 2 hours to process them all, but the last ones were done in 10-30 seconds (and not because I was bored ).

Anyway, I was watching and showing RAW processed images, and when I checked original JPEGs a few days later... well, I was surprised, at least And it`s not that JPEGs are bad (they`re quite good, actually), but only that RAW processing gives so much possibilities, and the more demanding shooting conditions are, the more improvement can be achieved from RAW in comparison to JPEG.

Of course, RAW processing takes extra time, so it needs to be taken into account, too, and balanced out. Some pictures might require (or deserve) a bit extra time, but I think the point gets lost if too much time is spent in post processing (I`m talking about this casual photography, professional one might be a different story).

I started RAW processing with Canon`s DPP (Digital Photo Professional) application, tweaking this setting and that setting, slowly moving away from the camera saved image settings, but I recently started using Adobe`s Lightroom 5.4 as it seems to provide more powerful options.

To cut the long story short, here`s another example, originally intentionally shot underexposed as it is and against the bright skies n order to see what could be done in post processing.


#15, JPEG, Straight out of camera, shot as it is intentionally in order to check RAW processing possibilities

Of course, even JPEG processing can manage to recover some details, but not that much, and I think it`s more time-demanding as heavier processing is needed. Also, color data is not that much preserved. Here`s an example of processed JPEG in order to try to recover some of it - yes, it`s clearly overprocessed (showing bad pixelization in previously dark areas), but it`s made like that to be more easily comparable with RAW processed image (to follow).


#16, JPEG, Processed from out-of-camera JPEG (pushed a bit too much, but for a better comparison)

And now we have a processed RAW file - pay special attention to skies and cloud details that magically appeared, then previously shadowed areas that are now quite useful and more detailed, and check the (much better) preserved color information.


#17, RAW, A bit heavier shadow pulling does take its toll in image quality, but the final result is pretty incomparable to the original JPEG, being much, much better.

Also, there is one more plus with shooting RAW - as exposure correction is much easier (and allows a certain degree of mistake), it`s possible to underexpose the scene a bit on purpose in order to be able to shoot at lower ISO (better image quality) or with higher shutter-speed (to prevent motion blur), being able to correct the exposure in RAW post processing

p.s. Please have in mind that I`m an amateur that has yet much to learn, and I`m aware that more experienced users might get even more from both JPEG and RAW, but these images are just an example of what an amateur can do in a few minutes, drastically changing the image for the better.

In the end, here are two more purposely underexposed or tough lightning examples:


#18, JPEG


#19, JPEG

And now corresponding image files processed from RAW, having a few settings sliders tweaked a bit (or a bit more), but making a very noticeable difference:


#20, RAW


#21, RAW

 

[MarioV]

Based on these photos, I'd be happy with the S120 too. Some great shots. Well done.

 

[boogisha]

Thanks, MarioV Checking your image galleries, I can only be ashamed of my humble shooting skills... But, I do enjoy using S120, indeed

 

[boogisha]

A few more pictures taken a couple of days ago at our prom 10 year anniversary night


#22, RAW, Brothers in arms (cropped & scaled)


#23, RAW, Angel & Devil (in disguise)




#24, RAW, Can`t stop the Rock ("Pljuni i zapjevaj, moja Jugoslavijo...!")

I like shooting using "Slow Synchro" flash mode, where you`re able to get both enough light for sharp main subjects and catch the overall scene mood/atmosphere at the same time - check the image above, faces are pretty much sharp and in focus, having in mind the conditions the picture was taken in

 

[boogisha]

I`m pretty pleased with the sharpness of this picture taken at f/1.8 (widest aperture), ISO 320 and 0.5" shutter speed (!!!):


#25, RAW, Down below and in your face

 

[boogisha]

For the last one, I`m absolutely not sure how it managed to select an ISO of 8000 (!?) (maximum is 12800, and my "Auto ISO" maximum is set to 3200), but the result seems very acceptable to me, using my humble RAW processing skills and preferences.


#26, RAW, ISO 8000 (!)

 

[boogisha]

Here are some S120 photos from a short vacation in Jordan (Middle East)


#27, RAW, Donkey resting in a shade (Petra, Jordan)


#28, RAW, Desert lizard (Petra, Jordan)


#29, RAW, Female sparrow feeding chicks inside a beach umbrella nest, 100% crop


#30, RAW, Beach umbrella (Aqaba, Jordan)


#31, RAW, Mesmerizing blue color of the Red Sea (Aqaba, Jordan)


#32, RAW, Piece of mind (Aqaba, Jordan)


#33, RAW, A romantic sunset (Aqaba, Jordan)


#34, RAW, Berenice Beach Club (Aqaba, Jordan)


#35, RAW, Through the eyes of Lawrence of Arabia (Wadi Rum, Jordan)


#36, RAW, End of a desert day (Wadi Rum, Jordan)


#37, RAW, The Jordan River (Bethabara, Jordan)




#38, RAW, Berenice Beach Club (Aqaba, Jordan)

 

[boogisha]

Who needs anything else, when you have such a furry pillow...?


#39, RAW, A sleeping Alaskan Malamute in one of his ancient roles

 

[PaulRivers]

What software did you use to tweak the raw files like that, where something is hard to see then you got it to show up? That's pretty impressive.

 

[oxon1]

I just love your photos.... S120 is very good .... I do not know how to process RAW :-(

 

[boogisha]

I just love your photos.... S120 is very good .... I do not know how to process RAW :-(

Thanks, oxon1 If you want, you can upload some RAW file of yours, and I could write you a short tutorial, using DPP for a start, it`s not hard at all, and it can provide much better results than straight-out-of-camera JPEG.

 

[boogisha]

What software did you use to tweak the raw files like that, where something is hard to see then you got it to show up? That's pretty impressive.

I`m using "Lightroom", version 5.4, but Canon`s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) can also be used (I used it prior switching to "Lightroom").

I`m still shooting JPEG+RAW, but I`m now tending to get all the final JPEGs from processed RAWs, they`re just that better looking. And when the scene lighting is pretty hard/dynamic, then the processed RAW results do look impressive in comparison to out-of-camera JPEGs.

 

[boogisha]

We spent a lovely weekend in the nature, at Zlatibor mountain (southwestern Serbia), coming back home with nice memories, some of them being "captured" for good

[ATTACH alt="#40, RAW, One of the lovely cabins of Villa "Natural Wood" we stayed in (Zlatibor, Serbia)"]557116[/ATTACH]
#40, RAW, One of the lovely cabins of Villa "Natural Wood" we stayed in (Zlatibor, Serbia)


#41, RAW, Beautiful Zlatibor countryside (Serbia)


#42, RAW, Beauty in the details (Villa "Natural Wood", Zlatibor, Serbia)


#43, RAW, Zlatibor (Serbia)


#44, RAW, Zlatibor (Serbia)


#45, RAW, Piece of mind (Zlatibor, Serbia)


#46, RAW, Making friends all over the place : ) (Zlatibor, Serbia)


#47, RAW, Best way to burn some calories induced by delicious domestic meals : ) (Zlatibor, Serbia)


#48, RAW, Zlatibor (Serbia)

Next couple of pictures were taken in "Av" (Aperture Priority) mode, with aperture a bit unfortunately forgotten at f/8, making the camera raise ISO to compensate... So they`re not exactly good as they could have been (at lower ISO), but they serve the purpose - capturing some precious moments


#49, RAW, Zlatibor (Serbia)


#50, RAW, Zlatibor (Serbia)


#51, RAW, Zlatibor (Serbia)


#52, RAW, Mountain spirit (Zlatibor, Serbia)

 

[MisterBuggie]

The RAW processing is pretty incredible. Can the #15/17 be done with just DPP?

I have a black cat, so often have to try to balance the light and dark, bringing out detail on the black without turning the background into a white blur.

 

[boogisha]

I was pretty amazed myself, seeing what RAW is able to recover

Unfortunately, while Canon`s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) can be quite useful (and it`s the only one able to reproduce exact Canon colors), I think that processing #15 RAW to #17 is not possible with it, as it is pretty limited in comparison to Lightroom... Or at least I can`t seem to get much than just a bit better image, but still much worse than #17 Lightroom provided.

BUT, Canon should soon be releasing DPP version 4.0, which should be highly improved and might provide much better results Actually, the new version is already out, but for now it only supports a small number of Canon`s full-frame cameras.

If you want, you may try a few snaps of your cat in some harder lightning and upload RAW files somewhere so I could give them a try in both DPP and Lightroom, and see what we can get

 

[boogisha]

Also, there is one more plus with shooting RAW - as exposure correction is much easier (and allows a certain degree of mistake), it`s possible to underexpose the scene a bit on purpose in order to be able to shoot at lower ISO (better image quality) or with higher shutter-speed (to prevent motion blur), being able to correct the exposure in RAW post processing

As we touched RAW processing once again, I`ll need to correct myself a bit - after doing some investigation, a statement that underexposing in order to get a lower ISO (higher image quality) and then raising shadows in post-processing enables better final image quality than using a higher ISO (and correct exposure) in the first place is disputable, at least.

Not to go into technical details and why it works as it does, I`ll just say that raising shadows in post-processing does raise noise, too, thus the quality you initially got with lower ISO can be lost pretty fast (for those willing to investigate more, I propose searching for posts on "expose to the right" (ETTR)).

But the point that RAW ables a certain (pretty good) amount of post-processing correction without any (or minimal) quality loss provides a nice degree of freedom in decision making when taking a picture, knowing that you could opt for maximally improving one thing, deliberately degrading another as you can fix it in post-processing later, getting a much better final result than if you tried to get everything as good as possible at a time of shooting.