Tag: Topaz Labs

Photo Framing Follow-up

Jason1 Comment

After the blog post on Wednesday, and the number of comments received, I thought that the next podcast would be well served to discuss the idea behind matting and framing in more detail.  As luck would have it, that podcast just went live earlier this afternoon!  You can catch the podcast over at the Personal Life Media site here: Learning Digital Photography

Here’s the Show Notes:

In this latest episode of Learning Digital Photography, the Grand Prize winner from the September $500 giveaway is announced, and the October contest opens up – ready for your entries.  The theme this time is Fall (open to interpretation).  Specs, guidelines, and such are discussed including dimensions, dates for submission and more.

Also in this episode, a primer on framing your photos:  things to look for and avoid when matting and framing work.  I look at what gallery and show fine art venues usually require versus home or personal use.

Finally, the popular listener question and answer segment returns, with some great ones coming from all over the globe!  Download today!  Happy shooting!

The links mentioned in the show follow as well:

Rich Charpentier’s Website and Blog

Flickr Contest Thread

Redimat

American Framing

Don’t forget, every time you “Digg” the podcast over at PLM, or subscribe and write a review on iTunes , you are helping others enjoy the fun and thrill of photography.  Feel free to also use those venues as well as the comments here and contact with me via email if you have an idea or thought to share about the show.  Thanks, as always, for listening and reading.  Have a great weekend, happy shooting, and we’ll see you back again on Monday!

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The Topaz Labs Plugins: Details

Jason10 Comments

Another exciting plugin from the folks over at Topaz is the Details plugin.  This smart little plugin is, well…not so little.  A simple click from the Filters Menu chugs at your processing speed for a good while as it scans, reads, and takes your image through several unique variations of detail adjustments.  With 12 variations in this single plugin, you can take your image from bland to beautiful in just five minutes or so (depending on computer specs)!

Check this out.  I took a sunset picture from here in Colorado a few months ago, and ran it through the entire collection.  Here’s the original image:

original_blog
Original Sunset Straight out of Camera

Sure, it’s an okay shot, but could it be better? I sure don’t remember it being that plain looking when I pressed the shutter, so let’s take a look at some of the options available in Topaz Labs Details Plugin:

Topaz Details
Topaz Details
Tobaz Labs Details panel - Set 2
Tobaz Labs Details panel - Set 2

With twelve total options, I was stunned.  A slight difference between this plugin and the Adjustment plugin is that this one does appear to chug a little slower – each time it had to re-scan the entire image and the scratch disk filled up further, so by the end of the 3rd edit, I had given up on an action for PS.  Just find your favorite initially based off previews (they are pretty close) and run with that for your output.

What I did like is that the sliders at the bottom were still adjustable for further image customization from the default “out of the box” adjustments that Topaz Labs gives you.  I also liked the number of options too.  In the Adjustment plugin the options were just a little too overwhelming for me – but 12 is just about enough.

My last note though, would be that once you have the plugin loaded, it shouldn’t have to reload again with the same photo still open.  A quick scan of the exif data should be able to say “same image” and scan no further.  That would allow for actions, and quick galleries of the various options for viewing full size images of the various options rather than the smaller previews.

What about the CB Crew?  What are your thoughts on this short review?  Have you used the Details plugin yet?  If so, thoughts on the usefulness?   Got a favorite details adjustment?  From here (I know it’s small), which ones hold the most appeal for you?  Oh yeah, the last thing – do you want this plugin free?  Then get your photo in the LDP contest today!

Anyway, happy shooting and we’ll see you back here tomorrow!  Don’t forget to enter the contest… here’s the link to the Flickr thread!

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