 Robert D. Proctor |
Topaz Adjust I see a lot of outstanding images that are HDR or made with Topaz Adjust and similar software. I really like the effects. I've got the Topaz bundle, Photomatix, and trying to learn how to produce the same effects. Most of mine end up too noisy or not sharp enough. Anyone out there willing to share a few tricks or tips on their workflow?
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Linda Proctor |
Hi Robert, With both programs, you must play with the sliders a lot to get the effect you want Tony Sweet has a High Dynamic Range course here on Photomatix that is really invaluable to get all you can out of the program. Hope that helps a bit .
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Robert D. Proctor |
Linda, wonder if were related..ha..ha.. Thanks for the response, I've read about Tony Sweets course and plan on taking it soon (have to find a few more dollars) looking for a few tricks in the mean time. I browsed your gallery, very nice, the effects you have on some of your images are just what I'm trying to do, got a few of them as favorites to compare my work to. Thank you for responding. Bob
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Randy A. Myers |
I use the LucisArt filter for similar effects. I always run a real strong noise filter on the image before I run the effects filter. That helps a lot. Have fun playing.
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- Carolyn M. Fletcher  Contact Carolyn M. Fletcher Carolyn M. Fletcher's Gallery |
I'm using Topaz Adjust, and I find the free noise filter (community edition) from Imagenomic.com works pretty well.
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Robert D. Proctor |
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- Irene Colling Contact Irene Colling Irene Colling's Gallery |
Regardless of the filter being used, I believe the outcome is improved if the filter is NOT applied equally over the entire image. Various elements in any given photo require more or less of the filter effect. Using layers and selective filter strength on foreground, midground or background areas give the photographer more control over the final output. To make your pictures pop, clearly define the main subject but use a more subtle effect on the background and unimportant elements.
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Robert D. Proctor |
Sounds like good advice to me, will give it a try with layers and masks. I do apply selective filter strengths and then return to add another effect, think I get carried away to much. Part of learning I guess. Thanks for the advise.
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Linda Proctor |
Hi Robert I agree with Irene also have you used Edit> fade in Photoshop to lower the effect some On Topazes website they also have demos and forums that are really quite helpful
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Robert D. Proctor |
Hello Linda, I use the fade in photoshop but seem's not enough, I'm from the old school with slides and a lot of saturation. I've checked out the demos on the Topez site. My goal is to be able to do the very fine detailed images I've seen.
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
I have been a user of Topaz Adjust & PhotoMatix for a while and with Adjust, you have to watch closely as you apply various filters as they can make images very noisy. I have become more comfortable using it over the past year and sometimes, I just have to back off on some applications or not use it when it gets too noisy. It can also make images look very graphic which can sometimes look cool but sometimes it just makes images look too cartoonish for my taste. The same can be said using PhotoMatix. When I set up to capture HDR images, I have noise in mind when exposing the series of shots so I usually use ISO100 and I only apply minimal Light Smoothing in Tone-Mapping to make my image look less Graphic/3D-ish and more like a normal photo. Details enhancement with in Topaz can really make an image pop and can also add so much noise that it looks bad. I like the Simplify filter and used delicately can add just a hint of a painted effect which I personally like as I also use Corel Painter X (w/Wacom tablet) software on occasion. My normal method of operation with any new software is to push it to extremes and then back it off to where I find I like it. I look back at some of my older HDRs and images with Topaz applied and they are terrible and need to be redone or tossed but it's still a fun learning curve :) The Topaz noise filter does a great job but it still has its limits. My galleries have lots of Topaz/HDR images, and I usually mark them or mention a specific filter used on many of them. If you see "hdr" or "TZ" (Topaz) at the end of my image name, it means I used them on the image. Hope this helps, Carlton
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
Cheers, Carlton
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