One of the advantages of having a web-site and a blog is that occasionally you get people asking you to give you something if you will write about it. So I guess I’ll be getting into Photography Gear Reviews. Can’t say fairer than that, now can you? In this instance it was the good folks at Sleeklens who asked me to try their products and tell you about it. They noted ‘ no favours needed, just honesty’.
Here goes.
Sleeklens are in the ‘help you to easily get better images’ category. First of all, it’s a crowded space in the market, but it’s also one that a lot of people would benefit from getting into that maybe don’t know that stuff like this exists. What does it do? For both Lightroom (which I don’t use) and Photoshop (which I do) there are a bunch of actions that you install and run. Headings are:- Exposure / Base / Tone / AllInOne / Enhance / Specialty / Temperature. I think we can all work out what they do based on their names. Under those headings are a number of actions. And simply you decide where you want to go and it runs an action and converts your image.
- The good. Takes you where you have never been before. Gives you some unexpected – but great – results. Let’s you dial in the effect via sliders. And wonderfully, tells you what slider to use to dial in the effect just as much as you need.
- The bad. Unfortunately, it’s a one hit. You get a Sleeklens layer and that’s it, in most cases. Re-think your approach if you are used to a multi-layer workflow.
- The ugly. Sadly, It doesn’t work fully unless you are on Photoshop CC. Sleeklens have told me they are working on it.
The verdict. In conclusion, if you are just starting out – go get it. For $50 it’s going to open your eyes and get you into actions. I use a very complicated workflow that I have down pat. It will never replace something as complex or multi-step, but for a beginner or someone who is just getting into Photoshop, go for it.
https://sleeklens.com/product/landscape-adventure-photoshop-actions/
https://sleeklens.com/product-category/photoshop-actions/
I processed an image straight out of camera, applied a couple of RAW adjustments, and then wondered what to do with it. But I got nowhere with my usual workflow. I applied the SPECIALTY Dreamy Landscape action and this is the result.
Let me know of other Photography Gear Reviews you would like to see.
Andrew Barnes
The Berowra Photographer
The original image, with just RAW adjustments
