I love using all the plug-ins and stand-alone image editing programs that are available for creative photographers. They can help to awaken the artist within. That is why I teach this stuff on my workshops - as well, of course, how to get the best possible in-camera image.
The latest release in the world of stand-alone programs/plug-ins in onOne Software's Perfect Photo Suite 8, which includes Enhance, Portrait, Effects, B&W and Resize - along with Layers and Masks.
You can download this cool software from the onOne Software site.
Here's a quick look at my first go-around with Perfect Photo Suite 8.
For the opening image in this post I selected Perfect Enhance and used the Cool Light effect, after which I added a custom border. What's cool about Enhance is that you can control the Brightness, Contrast, Vibrance, Temperature, Detail and Vignette – to name just few of the creative controls.
When you remove the true color and sharpness from a scene, you remove some of the reality. when you remove some of the reality, a picture can look more artistic and creative. Plug-ins and digital imaging editing programs let you do just that, quickly and easily.
I like creating new color images, but I am also having fun with Perfect B&W. Here's a tip when using Perfect Black&W: Experiment with the color filters - first - to see how they change the tones in your image. Start with filters and then play with the other creative controls.
Back to Perfect Enhance: I used it to enhance this image of the interior of a lounge car at the South East Railway Museum near Atlanta, GA.
Sometimes, even subtle enhancements can create a more compelling image.
A while back I wrote an article here on my blog, Goodbye HDR, Hello EDR. In the article I talked about the data we can pull out of RAW files.
Check out the two images above. I created the image with more detail using the HDR Look effect in Perfect Effects.
Have fun with Perfect Photo Suite 8. Again, you can download the stand-alone program/plug-in from the onOne Software site.
I am teaching plug-ins (and travel photography) at Photoshop World 2014 in Atlanta. I hope to see you there!
All of the plug-ins I use are listed on my Play & Save on Creative Plug-ins page.
Explore the light,
Rick
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