Be careful NOT to over do....
One of my new photo delights is discovering Topaz Plug-In tools.
Yikes. It can turn a simple photo into a work of art.
Well, that might be a stretch.
But it can open up shadow areas and add a strong emphasis on detail not really noticed before.
Oh course, it is possible to go too far.
You can make the effect too obvious. It then draws attention to itself.
I brought up some pictures I took a few summers ago on a trip to D.C. and had fun re-visiting that visit.
It is possible to work on a recent photo and make it appear to be a postcard from the 1950s.
Not that that's a bad thing.
Of course, the newer cars give it away.
Is that a Prius?
A Smart car?
The flags have 50 stars.
I like the effect it had on my picture at the Korean War Memorial.
The reflections of the visitors on the wall on the left are more prominent.
The soldiers wearing long ponchos are more dramatic.
Even the green grass and trees appeared more vibrant.
There are "sliders" that allow me to add or subtract individual hues or the overall scene. Or add "micro contrast" clicks.
The Vietnam Wall was enhanced with my new process.
The engraved lettering seemed to "pop out" more as the minute changes were made.
The Memorial itself produces a tremendous response and these tweaks in my photo add to the stirring setting.
This is the Summer travel season and I hope people go up to Washington and see the monuments, museums and memorials.
I was able to go into the US Supreme Court because it was not in session.
The last few days it must have REALLY been crammed with people as historic decisions were being handed down.
This staircase was an OK picture but, using these new enhancement tools, it really became a beauty.
Something about marble and polished brass just go together.
Oh, I just remembered to pull up a shot of the newest memorial - to World War II - and give it a pictorial boost.
It's been a delightful morning, going back to Washington, DC again.
Gave me a chance to experiment with these post production tools.
Someone complained that these kind of changes alter the photo from what was actually seen.
Well, I was doing that back in the 1950s with my darkroom at home.
Now I just have newer tools.
(Click on the photos for more details.)
Like many things in life, use these enhancing steps in moderation.
Don't go overboard.
People will notice.
Labels: ADJUST, CLARITY, DeNoise, Depression men-in-hats at a door for handouts, Korean War Memorial, Prius, Smart car, The Capitol building, Topaz Plug-in tools, Vietnam War Wall Memorial
Making "good" even better...
Some members of my
Photography Group have mentioned "Plug-Ins" a few times.
Usually during "Show & Tell" when we all suck in our breath and express admiration for a picture projected on the big screen.
My shots usually don't draw that level of appreciation.
I bought my first Topaz plug-in called CLARITY, hoping I could add some of that missing awe element.
This shot of the Ravenel Bridge was pretty good but now it surprises even me ... and I was there!
Same with this late-in-the-day picture of the Grand Canyon.
It was a highlight of a magical afternoon, evening, night and dawn on the South Rim.
This manipulation tool brings out many subtle shades of canyon strata that didn't seem so obvious in the earlier posting.
Once I found out the Topaz product was compatible with the Photoshop Elements 10 I have been using, I decided to give it a try.
It's part of a whole suite one can buy and download. I had been told that ADJUST would be a good first step then this was just announced.
It offered an introductory price of $29.99 (save $20) so I was eager to check it out.
I take a LOT of pictures in music venues with varied levels of lighting.
The Pour House has been visited by me 6 times in the last 14 days. The last show was a group of talented performers called the
New Orleans Suspects.
They have played with the Neville Brothers, Professor Longhair, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Sax man Jeff Walker, was with James Brown for 12 years.
Yeah, they have the chops. And showed every bit to a happy, clapping Friday night crowd.
Here's keyboardist C.R.Gruver and drummer "Mean" Willie Green (in a 4-panel
acoustic shield around his drum set).
"Ice Man" Reggie Scanlan and Jake Eckert on lead guitar join the sax man in the ever-changing colored spotlights on the PoHo stage.
These performance shots were run through the Topaz plug-in to bring out certain colors or textures that had not shown before.
Out on the deck, ending just before the NOLA Suspects started, the
Steel Rollers drew the faithful to a FREE themed night show that varies during the week.
A fan had written to ask where the name came from?
Not describing pieces of metal but from the name of a malt liquor beverage.
I've enjoyed both the band and the beer.
(Click on the photos for more details.)
Did not use the Topaz treatment on the deck band. Well, not yet.
It may become part of all my favorite shots.
Labels: ADJUST, awe element, CLARITY, Eckert, Grand Canyon South Rim, Gruver, James Brown, Neville Brothers, New Orleans Suspects, photographic "Pop", Scanlan, Topaz, Willie Green
