One of the first things that most folks do the minute they have successfully loaded Photoshop (or any other image-editing program) into their computers is - you guessed it - to start playing with filters. Let's face it, until you know what you're doing with most programs, filters are a fun and simple way to create some cool-looking effects. The fun of filters is hard to resist.
Iowa Barn - buZZ.X version
© Jeff Wignall
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The problem is that the glamour wears off pretty quickly because, unless you're very talented at using them (and some photographers are), you can see the effects a mile away. And, of course, if you're relying on filters to make a bad photo a better photo, well, it usually doesn't work. Usually. Filters can infuse a session at the computer with a bit of creative juice at times, though. The important thing is not to simply sneer at filters and walk away but to use them when the need or the mood calls for them. Speaking of which, I recently started playing with a new filter (new to me, since it's been on the market for quite a while) from Fo2PIX.com - www.fo2pix.com - called BuZZ.X (that's the Mac version, the PC version is called buZZ.Pro 3) that I'm having a blast getting to know. And I make no excuses: This filter is an easy-to-use, quick creative fix that I think has the potential to have some awesome creative and technical applications. BuZZ.X is what is called a "simplification" filter; that is, it simplifies the areas of tonality and detail to make images look more like a watercolor painting, or a watercolor wash. It's incredibly simple to install. When you install the filter, like all Photoshop plug-ins, you simply install it into the plug-ins/filters folder and it shows up in the filter menu.
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Using the Filter is Fun and Intuitive
I used this filter for several days before even looking at the pdf manual that was on the disc. (Don't tell any of the students in my Joy of Digital Photography online course that I didn't read the manual first.) There are actually eight filters on the disc, including three levels of "simplicity." As I said, it's new to me (the Mac version is a recent addition for Fo2pix, I think), so I haven't spent lots of time with it. Although I'm no expert, I've used it on several images, and the simplicity effect is just very cool. Also, as with any filter, you can, of course, use it in combination with other filters and effects. And you can set up buZZ.X as a time-saving Photoshop "action" if you want to repeat a certain sequence multiple times. For the two shots of the Iowa barn (the first is the simplified shot, obviously), I first made general corrections (Levels, Curves, Color Balance) on the straight image and then I used the buZZ.X filter. In the filtered example, I also used Color Balance to warm up the shot a bit. One of the reasons I am so pleased with the look of this shot is that I had a hard time getting a file I liked using normal corrections, so I just decided to blow reality away and see what simplification could do - and I loved the results.
Other Fun Discoveries with This Digital Filter
One of the interesting things is that, in the various versions of the straight image that I worked, I was unable to get any detail on the black cow standing in deep shadows without going through considerable dodging, masking, etc. But the buZZ.X (Simplifier Level 3) brought the cow right out. Easy! Incidentally, did you notice I lost the window in the white shed and some side windows in the red barn? There are adjustment sliders in the dialog boxes for the filters and you can preview what is happening - if you go too far, simply back off. Also accompanying this article is a shot of a great egret that I also created using buZZ.X: Again, there’s not much of a relationship to reality but as a frustrated painter, I kind of like the look. And besides, reality is overrated.
'Fixing' Backgrounds: One Key to Success with buZZ Filter
The real value of this filter, I think, will be using it as a subtle correction tool for backgrounds and selections. If you can sneak some simplicity into a complex background, for instance, you have a very powerful tool available. Check out the buZZ Web site for more info - www.fo2pix.com - and you'll also see some examples of what it can do (though truthfully I wouldn't mind if they added even more extensive galleries - this is fun stuff!). Feel free to mention my name if you write to them - they are very nice folks (the company is in England)!I have to thank BetterPhoto member extraordinaire Robert Ganz for turning me on to this filter, and Robert's work with it is far more creative than mine! Think digital, and think Joy!
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Article by Jeff Wignall. To learn more about photography, explore the many online photography and Photoshop classes offered here at BetterPhoto.com.
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