Topaz Software

[Marko]

I'll likely try this in the next few days...but I'd love some opinions before I do.

Topaz has the following software
Topaz Adjust - Denoise - Simplicity - Detail - Clean2 - Remask - DeJpeg - Vivacity



They also have a bundle which has most of these.

So....who had tried it (what have you tried - what does it do) and how good is it?

Thx!
Marko

[Bambi]

I've just started trying Topaz Adjust and am liking the effect. A few of the photos I processed with it looked like HDR (but weren't). Based on the baby steps I have taken so far:
1. it's easy to figure out how to do the basics
2. you can save your steps along the way so if you don't like something you don't have to start over
3. the effects can be subtle to over the top
4. the noise reduction really seems to work well.

I've been watching a couple tutorials on line and it seems to me that there's a lot of bang for your buck.

[Marko]

Thanks Bambi - If these are free tutorials, then adding links would be appreciated by others for sure. Makro

[Bambi]

sure not a problem.

this one shows the basics which is great for someone like me who's so new

Topaz Adjust General Tutorial

I'll try to find the other one I saw.

[JAS_Photo]

I use and like the Topaz Adjust and Topaz Detail. I am such an addict now that very few photos don't at least get a 'pop'.

They have a 30 day free trial for all of their plug-ins so you can try everything you might be interested in for free!

[F8&Bthere]

I just typed a long answer and hit some wrong key somehow and lost it all. I gotta keep reminding myself to use a text editor and then copy/paste when it's anything longer than a couple lines...

I don't have the drive to re-type the whole bloody thing so I'll just say this:

Adjust- might be called a poor man's LucisArt. I love it. Will work with Lightroom, Aperture, iPhoto, Photoshop, Elements, and even Paintshop Pro and Irfanview. Well worth the $50

Denoise and Detail- IMO are very capable, but if there's any chance you'll buy the Nik Software bundle to get Silver Efex (basically the bundle deal I mentioned elsewhere is like getting 4 other plugins free), then you'll, like me, have duplication in noise reduction and sharpening.

Simplicity, Clean, and DeJPEG- A pro photographer like yourself that has film experience and is more of a minimalist when it comes to digital post processing will probably not find anything useful with these three.

[casil403]

I'm with f8...i like the Nik software bundle much better for noise reduction and other post corrections. The topaz adjust I use often also for the neat effects it can do but it does create a lot of noise in some of the presets which I don't like...some people like the noisiness but I don't care for it and try to reduce it without losing too much detail, before saving. i do like the detail I can get form it as long as there aren't too much sky in the photo...great for fine detail like leaves and frost etc. I prefer the Nik effects noise reducing software and the colour effex for adjusting photos that come with the bundle that F8 mentioned.

[Marko]

Thanks for the info everyone sorry about that post disappearing F8.

amount of characters per post has increased by 4x. from 10,000 to 40,000 per post
Thx - Marko

[F8&Bthere]

Just an update... although I'm sure my methods were not very scientific, I've just run a quick comparison between Topaz and Nik on sharpening and noise reduction and to my eye, Nik Software won both shootouts. Nik's sharpening plugin is also divided into pre-sharpening and output sharpening which I quite like. So once again, if anyone is considering these products, I have to think the way to go is just buy Topaz Adjust for $50 and then get the Nik collection (5 plugins) for the price of one ($199.99) with that coupon deal I mentioned in the other thread. I personally wish I had done that... if only crystal balls existed.

[F8&Bthere]

ANOTHER IMPORTANT UPDATE/CLARIFICATION:

***I have added this message to the Silver Efex thread as well***

As far as I can tell the Nik Software Complete Collection deal I mentioned elsewhere only applies to the Lightroom/Aperture versions of the plugins. To be able to use the same plugins with Photoshop you need to get the Ultimate Edition which is $599.99 before any promos, discounts or coupons.

This kind of sucks, because Topaz lets you use their much more moderately priced plugins with many popular programs without having to buy a different version or upgrade.

So, another point in favour of Topaz products and the Topaz Photoshop Bundle.

Using the plugins right within LR is pretty nice, as I mentioned, but I would also like the option of bringing the image into PS to use layers and such to adjust the plugin's effects, use multiple plugin effects, or to do further editing before saving. Topaz allows you to do either one, as you wish.

I hope I got this right.