A Little Trick With Topaz Adjust 4

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Here's a little trick I learned, quite by accident, while playing around with Topaz Adjust.

First, use the Spicify effect to boost the color, contrast and detail in an image. Then, use the Noise tab (click the Use Topaz DeNoise™ box) and reduce the noise to the point where your picture becomes very blurry - as illustrated in the top image, which I created from a similar image to the bottom image.

I found that working on a low resolution image, and then up-sizing it, works better than working on a full resolution image.

If you are new to Topaz products, you can save a bundle by choosing a bundle.

By they way, when using this technique, you remove some of the reality in a scene. When you remove some of the reality, your picture can become more artistic and creative.

Explore the Light,
Rick

Topaz Adjust 4 is Just Too Cool!

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The latest version of Topaz Adjust - Topaz Adjust 4 - is now available for download from Topaz Labs. It features a new interface and new presets for more creativity and more fun.

Followers of this blog and readers of my articles know that Topaz is one of my favorite plug-ins - because artistic effects can be created with a click of a mouse (or tap of a stylus).

When I want to create an artistic HDR image (as opposed to a realistic HDR image), I use Photomatix first and then open the file in Topaz. Spicify is my favorite effect, which I used here on this South Beach HDR image.

While you are on Topaz Adjust page of the Topaz web site, click on my mug shot to see more of my Topaz Adjust images. And during your self-guided tour of Topaz plug-ins, check out the Photoshop Bundle - because you can save a bundle :-)

Explore the light,
Rick

Back Up, Back Up and.... Back Up!

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Well, the recent snow storm here in Westchester, NY was yet another illustration of how important it is to have a back up. Power was out for almost three days, and for someone who spends as much time on a computer (while a home) as I do, no power is a fate worst than death :-)

The top photo shows one of our Honda Hybrids (100,000+ miles) at the peak of the storm. Look at all that snow.

Fortunately, I have all my stuff backed up in several places on accessories drives that I can plug into my laptops with Firewire 800 cables.

By the way, I do have a pull-start generator (great back up), but I could not get it started for a day and a half. Brrrrrrrr!

Land-line phones were down, of course. However, my trusty iPhone worked - but it needed power, too.

Good news: My always-charged Versa Battery came to the rescue, powering my laptop and my iPhone.

The Versa Battery provides anywhere from 6 to 15 additional hours of power for a laptop - depending, of course, on what you are doing. Processing raw files, for example, will require more power than writing a Word document.

If you think you'll ever need a battery back up, check out the Versa Battery. Also, it's great for airline coach passengers on long trips who don't have access to power outlets like the folks in the front of the plane. (The battery fits neatly under your laptop.)

The Versa Battery is also great for those going on safari, where power is sometimes not available.

Explore the light - and think back up,
Rick

P.S. Yes, the Versa Battery also works with PCs.

Atlanta Seminar, Prelude to a Workshop


Hey Gang,

DPE’s Rob Knight and I are doing a workshop in Atlanta: August 13-15. This is a hands-on workshop: lots of shooting and lots of personal digital darkroom work.

As a prelude to the workshop, I am giving two seminars for Showcase Photo&Video on April 10: HDR and Digital Imaging.

Hope you can join the fun!

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. I took this shot in Atlanta’s Little Five Points. A great place to make pictures.