Photoshop Fixes

_ Photo editing just got a lot easier!
See my full review (with more examples) HERE.

As a digital imaging dinosaur, I have found that most pre-release buzz inevitably leads to an anti-climax.  So, I was not expecting the newest release of Topaz’s wildly popular photo editing plug-in, to not only deliver on their pre-release promises, but to exceed them!  If you take pictures, you need this plug-in.  (And with price tag under $50, it won’t break the bank.)

For the launch of Topaz Adjust 5, Topaz Labs is offering 30% off all their products until November 30, just use the coupon code ADJUSTME at checkout.

Like its predecessors, Topaz Adjust 5 takes the pain out of photo editing.  It allows you to quickly make changes to brightness, contrast, color, noise and clarity.  You can easily duplicate the more popular photo styles like grunge, high-dynamic range (HDR), various painting styles and movie fashions with the click of a button.  You can make small adjustments for a photo-realistic look, or push the boundaries of traditional photography into a whole new art form. 

The plug-in is easy to use, but Topaz Adjust 5 is not a “one-click = instant art” program.  It is not one of those plug-ins that deliver a few cookie-cutter styles, which quickly tire you (and your friends).  The MUCH improved interface allows you to do more blending of styles within the plug-in—something that you were not able to do in earlier versions.  So, not only will your photo editing workflow be easier, it will be much faster.  

The speed comes from the vast number of presets supplied with the plug-in.  Topaz has added more than 100 new presets, allowing you to quickly get an image “in the ballpark.”  After that, the possibilities are endless.  You can blend and “stack” styles within the program (something you couldn’t do in earlier versions), add effects only where you want them (also new), and tweak all of the results to your heart’s content.  And, when you come up with a style that you want to use on a lot of photos, you can save those settings in your own custom presets and use them again and again with a single click. 

Topaz completely redesigned the user interface for this release, basing it mostly on customer feedback and the favored features of their other products.  That’s right, we asked and they delivered!  The new workspace allows you to work simply and more efficiently.  Topaz streamlined workspace to make your workflow as easy as 1-2-3.  In fact, after you choose your overall style preset, that’s exactly how the steps are numbered for you in the workspace: 1-2-3!  No digging around to find the tools you need!

The best overall improvement for Topaz Adjust 5 is speed.  Not only the image processing speed (which is much faster), but all the little tweaks that allow us to do everything at once and really speeds up the photo editing workflow.

Some of my favorite new features in Topaz Adjust 5:

• Over 100 new presets lets you work faster with more creative “jumpstarts.”
• Preset collections organize the many new presets into seven style categories (classic, vibrant, HDR, film, stylized, Adjust 4 favorites and your own custom styles) enabling you to find your favorites faster.
• Apply button lets you stack and blend multiple effects without leaving the plug-in.
• “Smart” edge-aware selective brush that lets you dodge, burn, smooth and brush out effects.
• Finishing touches tab where you can find diffusion and grain options, borders, vignettes, tone adjustments and more.
• Transparency slider controls the overall strength of the effects.
• Histogram showing the tonal range of your image.  (Finally!!!)
• Overall speed!
  

As always, the upgrade is free for owners of earlier versions.

See my full review (with more examples) HERE.

Don't just take my word for it, Topaz gives you a 30-day free trial.  But, it won't take you 30 days to decide.  And, don't forget the special coupon code ADJUSTME, good for ANY topaz product (including their photo bundle!) through November 30, 2011.

_The Best Photoshop Plug-in for the Price!

    I’m so psyched!  I just finished watching the pre-release webinar for Topaz Adjust 5, one of the best Photoshop plug-ins for both professional and amateur use.  And the new version rocks!  Topaz has built on the success of previous Adjust versions, as well as feedback on their other products, to give us one powerful plug-in without the powerful price. (Under $50!)

    If you’re new to Photoshop, Elements, PaintShop Pro, Lightroom, or any other photo editing software, a plug-in is an additional piece of software that works with your image editing program.  In this case, Topaz is putting all kinds of editing and stylizing tools at your fingertips—letting you create art without having a Masters Degree in Photoshop! 
  
    Adjust 5 will be officially released sometime this week, so I can’t give away any secrets; however, you can download the free trial of Adjust 4 today.  The upgrade to version 5 will be (as always) FREE!  


What does Topaz Adjust do?
Click here for the complete review with examples.

    Well, an awful lot.  It lets you quickly and easily make changes in brightness/darkness, detail enhancement, color and digital noise in your photos with just a few sliders.  So, you can adjust your images very quickly.  But it doesn’t stop at simple enhancement; Topaz Adjust gives you the tools to turn a snapshot into a great shot, and a great shot into a masterpiece.  The only limit is your creativity. 

    The ease of the program comes from the many presets that Topaz includes in the software.  With one click, you can easily mimic the wildly popular HDR effect from a single image, duplicate the “hot styles” of the moment (Twilight anyone?), combine several effects together or create your own.  By starting with a preset to get you “in the ballpark,” you can then easily tweak your image with the easy-to-use sliders to create your artistic vision.  And, when you come up with a “signature look,” you can save those settings as your own custom preset to use again and again with a single click!  Can you imagine how much time you can save?  Can you image how awesome your photos can look?

    And the best part?  In keeping with tradition, Topaz Adjust is still the least expensive Photoshop plug-in I own, but it’s so amazing that I use it almost every day! Use coupon code topazuser for an additional  15% off.

    Go to Topaz Labs for a sneak-peek of Adjust 5! 

    My name is Kat, and iTopaz.  Give it try, and you'll Topaz too!

Thanks for stopping by!

    Well, I've finally arrived in the 21st century!  I may know Photoshop like the back of my hand, but, all other software is a complete mystery!  So, I'll be keeping this very simple.  :)

    The purpose of my blog is information.  I will be offering tips, tricks, tutorials, reviews and anything else that I think will help you make your images more than simple snapshots.  I hope you will help me out as well.  If you disagree with me, say so!  (But tell me why.)  If you have ideas, tips, sites, etc. that will help others--let me know!  Want to be a guest blogger, email me!

    This is for all us--professionals, amateurs, designers, photographers, hobbyists, scrapbookers, kids, adults--anyone who loves images and loves playing with them.

    That said, let's keep this G-rated AND friendly. I won't tolerate mean-spirited remarks (disagreements are OK, but keep comments "above the belt"), spammers, blatant advertisements or anyone I consider a "bad apple."  Therefore, I'll be approving all comments before they're posted (at least for a while).  I promise to be timely, but I've seen too many get by with too much and I won't have it here.

    Enough said.  We all have the same goal--to make images special.  Don't let deadlines, personal issues, "photo-block," setbacks, sniggering foes (or friends) stop you.  If you're here, you have a gift--the desire to make the world a better place through your images.

    See you soon.
                        --Kat.