From Flat to Finished

Any photographer who calls themselves a "pro" understands that the image the camera takes when you press the shutter button, is NOTHING like the final image.

Its called shooting flat or raw. The initial image is really dull, grey and the colors just don't shine at all. What does this accomplish besides a crappy looking image? 

Take this for example:

This is my original photo on this weird looking flower thingy? As you can see very dull and lifeless.. 

But what this accomplishes is something every photographer desires - Preservation of detail.  

  ...the same applies for video. 

Shooting in a "Flat " Picture style will guarantee amazing details and that "professional" look at the cost of 

spending some "professional" time in front of photoshop or whatever you use...  

And now we see a bright, vivid, detailed photo. (mostly using curves, brightness and contrast, levels and HSL)

Taking a closer look some of the details in the grass blades and petals really shine in the edited version. And I was able to successfully bring all the colors back to the image. 

You can download Picture Styles to install to yoru camera, the most popular: 

CineStyle - meant for Cinematographers to get the most out of their DSLR. 

or you can just use your Camera's built in Neutral Setting, just turn down the Saturation and Contrast and you'll be good.

Now for those who already know about this, here's some advice, use Cinestyle indoors and in controlled lighting conditions... but I prefer to use Neutral when it comes to Harsher lighting conditions like bright overhead sunlight. I find that neutral tends to perform better in harsh lighting than Cinestyle because of Neutrals lesser Dynamic Range let you expose properly :P 

now I don't have any photos to prove it at the moment... 

CineStyle I keep my sharpness at 2

Other Images before and After: 

Just some facts to justify my statement (because some people are skeptical) 

* What would be shadows and complete darkness on normal picture style would now be visible and lit on a Flat picture Style = Increased Dynamic Range

* The grayness is a sort of bypass to prevent the camera from processing the color data too much destroying what valuable details might have been there

* yeah it creates more work later on... :P 

* you take the risks though, be a "pro" and be wiling to spend long hours editing photos or just shoot for fun and don't worry about all the little details... Literally...