Quo Vadis Capture One Pro?
Good Morning,
For the last two or three versions of C1P, I've had more and more the feeling that as a “non-beauty and fashion photographer” I'm no longer part of the target group for C1P. The latest version in particular has made me feel this again. The target direction of C1P is moving more and more towards studio photography with the associated processes that are desirable for efficient editing in this area.
For me, who mainly works in the wildlife sector, there are some editing techniques that would be desirable and useful (and which have long been standard in the competition), but which are still not included in C1P. As an example, I would like to mention the possibility of applying a gradient to the background and excluding the foreground, i.e. the main subject, from this gradient. This is not possible in C1P, although it would certainly be possible with the excellent automatic selection of foreground and background (which, incidentally, works much better than the competition).
A look at the competition shows a few other, quite useful, editing options that are still not realized in C1P.
I am well aware that not everything that would be practicable, that the competition has realized, or that users have on their wish list, can and must be realized, but in my opinion a few fundamental new features should be implemented.
Furthermore, I start to suspect that it is in Capture One's interest to push users more and more towards a subscription model. I skipped the last major update for the first time since I switched to Capture One (I think it was Release 7). Why? The new release brings mostly cosmetic improvements, performance improvements and a few small enhancements for me. I was surprised to see this presented as a major release. Despite the comparatively minor improvements, the usual update price is being charged. Yes, I know there was a 40% discount for existing customers, but I still think that's quite steep. And I am by no means alone in this opinion. Many C1P users in my circle of friends have skipped the current release.
One of the reasons I switched to C1P at the time was that I wasn't restricted to a subscription. At the moment I have the feeling that Capture One no longer wants me as a customer.
Threads like this one Next Major Release? - Capture One and Quo vadis C1? - Capture One show me that I am obviously not alone with my point of view.
At the End - English is not my native language, so I apologize for any “weird” wording. I hope that my point is nevertheless clear.
Best
Martin
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Full Ack.
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the possibility of applying a gradient to the background and excluding the foreground, i.e. the main subject, from this gradient
As far as I know, this is possible: you first draw the gradient, rasterise it and then use the eraser tool (magic eraser or AI eraser) to remove whatever you want from it. And at last you refine the mask to avoid possible artefacts at the margin of the subject.
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For what concerns the main topic, yes C1 seems to target more and more studio photo. The latest version 16.5 seems to confirm that; but this doesn't bother me as far as I have the tools I need for landscape/wildlife/etc.
I suspect there is a push towards the subscription model too. For instance, in the price page I'm not seeing the discount for upgrading to 16.5 from previous versions, which is seriously disappointing — but maybe the site has not been fully updated so far.
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but this doesn't bother me as far as I have the tools I need for landscape/wildlife/etc.
Of course, Capture One already has everything you need for good landscape or wildlife editing. But a look at the competition awakens appetites and developments continue. And if new features make additional editing options very convenient, that is something that generates appetite and that you want to see in "your" product.
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Referring to my comment from 15 days ago: now I do see the usual 40% discount for upgrading, including perpetual license.
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