Bart_van_der_Wolf
pro member
Hi Folks,
Just to let you know, Topaz Labs released a new plugin yesterday; Topaz Clarity. They also offer an introductory discount until the end of the month, so be quick if you want to test it first and decide if it will help you to achieve better results, quicker. The plug-in design allows to interface with a number of popular programs.
Some of you already use a Clarity function as it is implemented in e.g. Photoshop Lightroom, Photoshop ACR, or Capture One Pro, to add a little more 'punch' to the images. However, this new plugin from Topaz Labs adds a lot more control over the process, and does so without creating halos that can occur with the other implementations, if pushed a bit too much.
It took me a bit of time and testing on existing images to get a somewhat intuitive feeling for this new Clarity tool, and to see if it added something useful to what the other available plugins can achieve. Topaz just posted a blog entry to that effect as well. It's hard to describe what 'Clarity' exactly does in a few words because it interacts with local contrast, but it basically allows to adjust the local contrast transitions and thus add (or remove) some definition to luminosity gradients.
'Clarity' allows to tweak that definition in gradients with different levels of contrast. For example, if one only wants to add a bit of definition in low contrast puffy white clouds, that's possible. Or, if one wants to tame the harsh shadows of a cloudless sunny day, that's also possible, but both can also be done at the same time. One can also address the medium-tone contrast, or focus on micro-contrast.
Of course, it is also possible to go completely overboard, and create IMHO horribly over-processed images, but it can also be a really powerful tool in the hands of a master when used with restraint. The tool also has a built in opacity slider for those who don't use an application with blending layer capability, and it offers smart (edge-aware) masking capability to apply the effect to only selected parts of an image.
Here is a demo video which will quickly show some of the capabilities. There are also some other examples available in other blog entries, but the best way to judge is to use the 30-day trial on your own images.
Cheers,
Bart
P.S. As for those who may think that the recent change in Adobe's licensing schemes for Photoshop and other products makes these plug-ins less attractive, rest assured that these plug-ins work nicely together with other applications (compatibility overview) that recognize PS plug-ins. In addition, Topaz Labs offers a standalone utility, with layers functionality, that allows to use their plug-ins without the need for another photo editing application.
Just to let you know, Topaz Labs released a new plugin yesterday; Topaz Clarity. They also offer an introductory discount until the end of the month, so be quick if you want to test it first and decide if it will help you to achieve better results, quicker. The plug-in design allows to interface with a number of popular programs.
Some of you already use a Clarity function as it is implemented in e.g. Photoshop Lightroom, Photoshop ACR, or Capture One Pro, to add a little more 'punch' to the images. However, this new plugin from Topaz Labs adds a lot more control over the process, and does so without creating halos that can occur with the other implementations, if pushed a bit too much.
It took me a bit of time and testing on existing images to get a somewhat intuitive feeling for this new Clarity tool, and to see if it added something useful to what the other available plugins can achieve. Topaz just posted a blog entry to that effect as well. It's hard to describe what 'Clarity' exactly does in a few words because it interacts with local contrast, but it basically allows to adjust the local contrast transitions and thus add (or remove) some definition to luminosity gradients.
'Clarity' allows to tweak that definition in gradients with different levels of contrast. For example, if one only wants to add a bit of definition in low contrast puffy white clouds, that's possible. Or, if one wants to tame the harsh shadows of a cloudless sunny day, that's also possible, but both can also be done at the same time. One can also address the medium-tone contrast, or focus on micro-contrast.
Of course, it is also possible to go completely overboard, and create IMHO horribly over-processed images, but it can also be a really powerful tool in the hands of a master when used with restraint. The tool also has a built in opacity slider for those who don't use an application with blending layer capability, and it offers smart (edge-aware) masking capability to apply the effect to only selected parts of an image.
Here is a demo video which will quickly show some of the capabilities. There are also some other examples available in other blog entries, but the best way to judge is to use the 30-day trial on your own images.
Cheers,
Bart
P.S. As for those who may think that the recent change in Adobe's licensing schemes for Photoshop and other products makes these plug-ins less attractive, rest assured that these plug-ins work nicely together with other applications (compatibility overview) that recognize PS plug-ins. In addition, Topaz Labs offers a standalone utility, with layers functionality, that allows to use their plug-ins without the need for another photo editing application.