JHP_160821_1043Forlorn Lakes in Gifford Pinchot National Forest using Sleeklens, Through The Woods, Workflows and Presets. Two weeks ago I was approached by Sleeklens, an online digital photography company, to try out a product package of landscape editing tools that they have developed.   They have a multitude of packages to fit different styles and subject forms but the one they sent me is called Through the Woods Workflow and it includes over 50 presets and 30 brushes for use with my Adobe Lightroom photo editing software as well as easy to follow install directions and a guide on using the workflows.  I also downloaded a free starter package they offered direct from their website and found it to also be very user friendly.  I am a sucker for good customer service and they have been great about follow up and making sure I am happy with their products and understand how to use them.    I am thrilled to be a chosen photographer selected to give their product a try.  For those of you that do not take any photos but simply enjoy seeing what other photographers produce this will still be an interesting article as you will see the development of an image from its RAW format to the final published piece. 

Lets get started with the RAW IMAGE

JHP_160821_1043-5raw

IMAGES #1-4 OF THE PROCESS

JHP_160821_1043-6 Using the RAW image and because I am trying out the new tools I begin with Through The Woods (TTW) Preset: Dawn Rising and I get a dramatically different image from the RAW file. JHP_160821_1043-7 Then I add TTW Preset: Deep Blue Sky JHP_160821_1043-9 Followed by the TTW Preset: Medium Vignette. JHP_160821_1043-3final  I then straiten the image, crop and clean up a few dust spots

​FINAL IMAGE

I add a little more light to the shadows to complete the final image using TTW Preset: Brighten Shadows

JHP_160821_1043-10

The above image took some time to edit and tweak from its original format but the process was sped up using the presets.   I am happy with the warm tones, vibrant sky, soft lake and the overall feeling of this photo. Once I beome more familiar with the workflow I think it will  be a handy tool to have in the box,  especially as seen in the next example.

Raw Image ​ JHP_160822_1154RAW file Applied single THROUGH THE WOODS PRESET: HDR with a slight increase of the vibrance and purple saturation. 

 I am happy with this image, leaving me with a finished product in just a second.

JHP_160822_1154-3Increase vibrance and blue color saturation.

What is the vision?  A question that must be asked before starting to edit.  Sometimes the answer can come in more than one way.   This is a good example of an image I believed was a finished product that would accomplish showing a specific area.   I spent quite a bit of time editing individual pieces of digital information WITHOUT the use of presets or brushes.  Finally deciding the images was acceptable and okay to be shared.  JHP_160822_1013-2Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Indian Heaven. Image edited one step at a time without presets. Then I used the same RAW image and with the use of multiple Through the Woods Presets in a layered workflow I was able to create this image that, in my mind, simply trumps the image above in presence and sense of space.  I did have to make a few individual adjustments to color hues but the majority of the image was edited with the premade settings.  

JHP_160822_1013Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Indian Heaven. Edited using Through the Woods Presets, Brushes and Workflows ​

​I particularly like the Black and White preset called Mid Range Splendor and I think it warrants mentioning as I have had a hard time finding a good a quick balance with monochrome conversion.

RAW IMAGE

JHP_160823_1246-2 TTW Preset JHP_160823_1246

In summary, my overall opinion of the Sleeklens Through The Woods Workflow is that it is user friendly, provides some well thought out presets and brushes that can be used on more than just landscape images.  The medley of options that come with the workflow allows the photographer to visit a process they may not have explored alone, ultimately expanding the creative horizon, which is always a good thing!  I am happy to keep the workflow in my lightroom library and after giving it a try would say it might be worth purchasing it.  I would not say however that it is a landscape photographers complete kit but a good start for certain images.  In my mind each image must have individual attention to make it its own qualities standout but if I can use some presets to attain a certain feel more quickly I am certainly onboard for lowering my editing time.   I look forward to trying some more of the Sleeklens workflows in lightroom. 

​Please let me know if you have any questions on this by posting a comment below or sending me an email.