Potrait Professional v8 - DPChallenge Forums

08/31/2008 10:18:45 AM · #1

I know it been mentioned in these forums before, but recently read a review for the new version of Portrait Pro v8 in "The Photographer" magazine. Anyway they gave it a pretty big thumbs up so I downloaded the demo and gave it a test. To put it simply its great! Checking some of the examples on their website the images have a somewhat `plasticy` look to them, but if you throttle back on the sliders a bit you can get some incredibly results. Defintely worth checking out.

If you can flick between the two images by opening them in seperate tabs then you can appreciate the full effect.

(no photoshopping on these images, just Portrait Pro)

kevip6

08/31/2008 10:37:49 AM · #2

Hi Mark,

I read the review in "The Photographer" as well and it sounded good but I wasn't sure if it was worth having on top of CS3 and Lightroom but I'll have to download a copy and try it out as well.

Was your example done fairly automatically? Is it mostly just sliders for adjustments? I liked the face shape adjustments in you example is that easy to achieve?

08/31/2008 10:56:13 AM · #3

Originally posted by kevip6:

Kev, yup, the 2nd shot was entirely processed in Portrait Pro, taking about 5 mins each (it takes a bit longer to learn how to use it, maybe an hour learning curve if that), its all done with sliders.. download the demo and you'll see how easy it is to use.. If you decide to buy there is a redemption code in "The Photographer" for a 10% discount, type it in the box prior to check out.

Another example - I went a bit heavier on the smoothing this time, but not too over-the-top.

Message edited by author 2008-08-31 11:01:40.

kevip6

08/31/2008 11:46:01 AM · #4

Looks great, I will download the trial tonight. I was surprised that it was quite reasonably priced as well.

Olympus 7-14mm f/4.0 Zuiko Digital Zoom

08/31/2008 11:50:15 AM · #5

They actually have two versions - the more expensive one comes in at around Â£55 I think, and that can accept RAW files from most major manufacturers and is fully colour managed as well. I went for the cheapy version though.

one2one

Olympus E-5

08/31/2008 12:53:41 PM · #6

Hmm I wonder how far this will go? How much modification to one's face will people accept? How many pounds will the software remove before looking unrealistically disproportional to what the person actually looks like? I can see the day where many people have images of themselves up on a wall for all to see but in reality all we're looking at is how this person wants to look like in her dreams. Sad when you think about it.

I'm all for removing wrinkles here and there and a little tuck under the chin to bring out features we once had, don't get me wrong. Or even removing a bulge from the waistline, that's just us wanting to look like we did in our younger days, no problem there.

Any thoughts or am I just dreaming all this up?

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/31/2008 01:12:26 PM · #7

They are offering a 50% discount if you own a previous version. I looked it over and did not find a significant upgrade from version 6 (which is what I have). Has anyone else compared versions?

Prof_Fate

08/31/2008 04:10:48 PM · #8

Originally posted by Kelli:

They are offering a 50% discount if you own a previous version. I looked it over and did not find a significant upgrade from version 6 (which is what I have). Has anyone else compared versions?

there are a lot of changes. it's worth the upgrade. the way you enter the points is different, there are more controls, presets you can do, change eye color, hair color and more.