the day Mr Simmons corrupted me - TOPAZ a worked example

[h0ughy]

I must say, I blame the wizard of all things obscured in our solar system (Dennis Simmons) for provided a link to TOPAZ (http://www.topazlabs.com/) after his stunning shot of the moon. I couldn’t help myself and downloaded the Photoshop pack.

I didn’t read the instructions (and it probably shows), but I was able to muddle my way through using the filters. I tested the detail filter, the Demask and the noise filter. I like Noise Ninja, but I was surprised to find the Topaz (http://www.topazlabs.com/) version pretty good. As for the mask filter – brilliant. The Detail filter is as Dennis describes and his example is testament to that.

For this example I detailed the whole image, created 2 duplicate layers of the whole image, and using the mask filter cut out the sky in one layer , then in the other layer I processed the whole layer for noise, reassembling the whole thing with the detail of the land over the noise smoothed layer of the sky. the detail enhancement brought out the colour of the rainbow

Geez I can see a heap of sindonio's (reprocessing) of finished images LOL. I bow in the presence of Master Simmons

[Dennis]

Hey H0ughy!

Nice work Dave, the 3rd image really pops! You obviously had good data to work with, so the plug-ins could do their job properly. I haven’t been to bed since I downloaded my set!:sadeyes:

I wonder how H’s gorgeous NZ waterfall would look when punched through Topaz, although I suspect that might go against Mr. H’s ethics!:question:

Did I omit to mention that I am on the Board of Topaz and enjoy a cut of the profits!:lol:

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy]

LOL well Mr Simmons, topaz is fine, just another colour for aqua:rofl: but it seems you are getting me in deep water;) with my credit card:) As for Mr H - would be good to see one of his Doctored

[Octane]

You're right, Dennis. :)

At the end of the day, I have no idea what the plug-ins are doing to my image data. If I know the data is there (or, even if I don't), then, all I have to do is apply traditional levels and curves and saturation with a few contrast masks. It's very quickly evident whether there is any point in continuing or stopping and just lamenting about taking a better photograph. ;)

Allow me, if I may, to go on a tirade, re: third party software. This is somewhat off topic, and, I apologise for the rant. It's a slow afternoon at work and I feel like getting this off my chest. I did the same to Troy a few days ago via email. ;)

Software like ACR/Lightroom does nothing for your photographs. Neither Canon, nor Nikon, nor anyone else has ever revealed their proprietory RAW format specifications to Adobe (and, why would they? Nikon charges big bucks for their CaptureNX software. Canon's is free). Therefore, they've had to reverse engineer the format. What you end up seeing in ACR/Lightroom is what Adobe thinks your sensor captured, and, not what your sensor actually captured. Your camera manufacturer developed the file format, and, it only makes sense that their software (as kludgy as image processing software by hardware manufacturers is) is the only solution worthy of interpreting the data.

To see this in practise, simply open a Canon RAW of your best/worst image in Digital Photo Professional, and, then, open the same files in ACR/Lightroom. Watch in awe as ACR/Lightroom apes the interpretation of your beautifully captured data.

It kind of irks me when I process astrophotographs taken with my Canon gear knowing that what's ending up on my screen is not what my sensor actually captured due to using software not designed to interpret the data. However, I am somewhat comforted in the knowledge that because the data ends up going through so much massaging (calibration) that the original data would not make much difference.

End rant. Feel free to crucify me. :P

Regards,
Humayun

P.S. Digital Photo Professional is awesome.

[h0ughy]

H i think a huge chunk of TOPAZ just fell on you, and bounced off that granite persona ;) just play with it and see what you get mate - its cloudy

[Dennis]

You make some good points H, and clearly you have thought about these issues more deeply than I, as well as having put them into practice, so I for one will not be looking to fasten you to a cross!;)

However, I will say a “thank you” for sharing your thoughts; they certainly seem in advance of where I am currently standing on my journey along the path of photography and working with light.:)

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy]

now i did have a play with a real image of mine - one with twinkly bits in crux - OK the original is a tad green but you get the jist

[Octane]

Dennis,

I have a loooooong way to go before I can call myself a photographer, but, these are a couple of fundamental things that I'm having to deal with. I've tried a host of convertors and editors. I keep coming back to DPP and Photoshop. :thumbsup:

Also, you're more than welcome to download the images and put them through your own processing routines. I'd love to see the results as everyone has their own interpretation of a scene.

Cheers, guys.

Regards,
Humayun

[h0ughy]

then i crucified a sidonio effort on my orion shot (sorry i had to use micrisift image processing to reduce for site). I can see that this application would work wonders with nebulousity shots. My reaction to this software is 50/50 - while i love what it can do, it does leave me wondering how much about processing i dont know - which is heaps. But it suits me fine from the point of view that i do I like what this produces just point and click- so the end customer is satisfied LOL namely me. As for you other pleabians - if your eye is like my eye then get thee some glasses and better taste:lol:. it just adds a whole new element to an image:thumbsup:.

Thanks Dennis - i think i will buy this one :P

[Dennis]

Hi Dave

I’m with you I guess. At the moment, a fair chunk of my photography is opportunistic. That is, I have an idea that I’ll shoot some macro insects and toddle off down the back garden and concentrate on getting the basics right; exposure, composition, focus, depth of focus, etc. and wait for the critters to land on a shrub.:)

The more creative side of having a strong vision of a single shot, and then actualizing that shot, is not yet my primary style and perhaps may never be a dominant part of my approach, but I’m content with that for the time being.:)

Where I find the plug-ins useful is that I can run several “what if” scenarios and from the output, find something that pleases me for the subject matter in hand. What I also like about the plug-ins is that they are repeatable, so I can apply the same parameters to similar photo’s to get the results that I want.

It is unlikely that I would spend the time in PS trying to implement the many detailed steps that would be required to achieve a similar outcome as the plug-ins; but again, that is my style, my current level of engagement in the hobby and it serves me well.

Cheers

Dennis

[multiweb]

I've bought one of the modules (TOPAZ Details) after Dennis posted the link (Thanks mate :thumbsup:). It is a very interesting effect that I can see having a use in sharpening nebulosity as well if you use it lightly and bland it in. Another good plugin in the toolbox to emphasize parts of the pictures.

[h0ughy]

I was sent this email - i took them up oin the offer. i bought the bundle


Notification: Major (and free!) upgrade for Topaz Detail released, which includes interface and speed improvements. Includes coupon.


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Topaz Detail v2 is a major update from v1 that triples the processing speed, sports a slick new user interface, and includes some new processing features. For those not familiar with it, Topaz Detail specializes in sharpening and detail enhancement without creating artifacts or halos. Its underlying algorithms employ the most recent advances in detail enhancement technology to accomplish this. In fact, many people say they like it even better than Topaz Adjust!

We're certainly very excited about this upgrade, and it's going to make your workflow much easier - if only because of the huge speed increase! Without further ado, existing Detail v1 customers can get Detail 2 here for the grand total of $0:

Download Topaz Detail v2



Click the Mac or Win button to download the upgrade. Your existing license key will work for this update. Topaz Fusion users will also need to update to the latest version of Fusion.

If you don't have Topaz Detail, check out the very cool detail enhancement and sharpening plug-in here: Topaz Detail. If you like it, use the coupon code "DET2FAST" for a 25% discount on either Topaz Detail or the entire Photoshop Bundle. (Expires 3/01/10.)

Thank you so much for supporting us and we hope you enjoy the update. The reason that we are able to provide timely and free product upgrades is because you spread the word, and we truly appreciate that. This way we're able to spend more money and more time on making our products better instead of on advertising. So, if you like our software or service, we would be very grateful if you tell a friend or write a review. Let us know if you do!

Please reply to this email if you have any questions or comments. We would love to hear from you.


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Best regards,
Eric from Topaz Labs

[Dennis]

Thanks Dave – I downloaded V2 and I quite like the new interface. It seems to install as a new, stand alone plug in as it left the original V1 app in situ.

Cheers

Dennis

[Omaroo]

Well, I've had to drop my Topaz plugins.

I've moved over to OSX on a Dual-G5 tower Mac, and being PowerPC-based, Topaz thinks that they are not worthy of developing-for. LOL! OSX on Intel - fine, PPC - not.

Hate to say it Mr. Topaz - there are more high-end PPC's still in use in the graphics industry still than Intel-based Macs. Your loss guys!

Maybe the API's they use are not compatible... but a Universal PPC/Intel version is really, really called-for.

[h0ughy]

yes it has improved.

ran a test on a image i took , i used the topaz detail and the denoise.

the first image is the original (ok made small to fit here) but the second image is the enhanced version;)

[Dennis]

The 2nd one really “pops” when I blink it with the 1st “flatter” looking variant. Good work Dave! Although I’m not sure that Mr H would approve!

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy]

well the main thing is that I like it - thats what counts for me:lol:

[AlexN]

Looks like a great little set of additional tools... Will have a play.. :)

Houghy - Really really like that last shot you posted... Very nice.

[Octane]

If it works for you*, then, more power to you*! Why don't you guys who use this product post your images in the terrestrial imaging section? I feel a little guilty constantly spamming my images.

However, I'll stick by my previous comments and will prefer to keep things as simple as is possible, as so far it seems to be working for me -- the prints prove it to my eyes. :thumbsup:

H

* denotes the collective

[AlexN]

Because I fear I can't keep up with you H! :)

I actually don't take many terrestrial shots these days.. I haven't held the 1d in well over a month I dont think... ? Seems a waste, although its coming into wildlife season any time about now.. so maybe its time to don the hiking boots and get amongst nature for a while...

[h0ughy]

H i haven't been able to take many images of late, and when i do i will post them there - with the steroids attached:lol: . All it is mate is a poor mans HDR - even some of your images get a bit half baked (or in my case over cooked). Each to their own:D topaz can be a nice colour - but as a software enhancement of the image - i like it. I'd love to go on trips and get to see exotic locations - image them then bring them home as a lasting memory but with family life it gets pretty near impossible to get the time to get the nice sunsets, the early dawn light either bath time or getting the day started with the family. Did that a few too many times and almost paid for it:P, so its tow the line and suffer looking at everyone else's exotic shots. its only a rare occasion that i can get a shot like the last one. in actual fact i was on the phone to Mike, who was also seeing this colour, i was literally looking his way as i could not see the conjunction due to the cloud - that's when Mike got his award winning shot of the conjunction - while we were both on the phone. How sad is that:rofl: . So take the opportunities as they come your way, you may never get another chance:thumbsup: that's why i bought the software - to help my very mediocre images;).

[h0ughy]

well i cant help myself, i borrowed a shot from a work collegue this afternoon- he had a shot from this series printed in last years Australian BOM weather calender. So i tarted up one of his shots he took in 2004 with of all things a canon 300D:D Go the old cameras:lol::thumbsup:

he was taken back at the result - as was I. This was achieved in under a minute:rofl: the blur in the middle isnt dirt - it was a bird

[lacad01]

Hmm, very interesting

[h0ughy]

good or bad?:shrug:

[Dennis]

Hi Dave

I like it – especially the real sense of drama that the processing has added to the clouds. I would probably tone down the effect slightly, in particular on the texture of the ocean as it looks just slightly too plastic?:shrug:

Glad to see that you’ve now got yet another hobby for those cloudy nights! :lol:

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy]

i do agree, but as i said i spent less than 2 minutes for the whole lot. It was the result of processing a bog standard JPEG, as Mat did not think to take RAW images (still doesnt). thanks for the input Dennis:thumbsup:

[lacad01]

Good :)