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07/04/2009 11:55:34 PM · #1 |
Sorry to be a party pooper. Topaz is the most highly hyped thing around here since the Lensbaby. The effect is very distinctive, and the more I see it, the more I dislike it.
Maybe it has some value when used in moderation. But even the samples on their website show it being used to maximum effect. To me the effect is pathcy, blotchy, puffy and unnatural. I swear I can get the same thing with gratuitous use of clarify and/or high pass.
Worse, a lot of the images that I see getting the treatment become more about the processing than the composition itself.
Surely I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Or am I?
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07/05/2009 12:11:23 AM · #2 |
You have a valid point, and it does not surprise me to know that is does not suit your style. After a few over the top shots, I am starting to use it in moderation. (Not always, I can't resist a few overprocessed images) I am mostly finding the adaptive exposure to be a more controllable version of clarify, but there is still a difference. I find I am using some adaptive exposure in combination with a little clarify.
What you might find it works good for, is as an adjustment prior to a b/w conversion. It really adds some pop, but as a b/w, I think It will avoid that overprocessed look you dislike.  Colorcarnival used it to very good effect with this entry:
And, regarding your statement about getting a similar look with the use of clarify. You are 100% correct.
Message edited by author 2009-07-05 00:38:15. |
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07/05/2009 12:12:29 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by bvy:
Or am I? |
no |
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07/05/2009 12:26:31 AM · #4 |
party pooper :)
I like it because of the details it allows me to pull out of a photo. I'm big on strong contrasts so that works for me. Here's a photo where I used Topaz and I don't think it looks too totally over the top:
So yeah, you can get some distinctive looks from it, but you can also get some subtle ones too. I often have a lot of bad photos, and this software has helped me save quite a few of them. That's why I like it :) |
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07/05/2009 08:38:46 AM · #5 |
Brian for fun..can you tell which of these pics I have used Topaz and which ones I haven't?
     
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07/05/2009 09:17:28 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by bvy:
Worse, a lot of the images that I see getting the treatment become more about the processing than the composition itself.
Surely I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Or am I? |
I agree. It's becoming too much about the processing. I have a love/hate relationship with Topaz. It's a neat toy, but it really needs to be used in severe moderation. I'd even be in favor of it being restricted in some challenges. |
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07/05/2009 09:56:53 AM · #7 |
| It reminds me of some of the filters available on ColorEfex Pro (tonal contrast for example) and to me, it's not that different from LucisArt, although Lucis doesn't have the blurred features that Topaz has. I tried the 30 day trial and didn't get much out of it honestly. |
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07/05/2009 10:09:27 AM · #8 |
| I would like to see a challenge where you the picture you take is the picture you submit. No filtering or post processing whatsoever. Lets see what people can do without the aid of the computer just for fun. I understand every picture, even those shot with film, have some level of post processing, but I am curious to see what people can do without. Again, just for fun. |
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07/05/2009 10:14:16 AM · #9 |
I'd like to hear the nay sayers make their guesses on this one... I think the topaz images you DON'T like are NOT because of Topaz, but because of the way the photographer has used it... Just like any other filter, one can get a little too excited and take it wayyyyyyyy too far... and, just like any other adjustment, one can see something on their monitor they think is pleasing to the eye, but the majority of people may not care for it...
I personally can't take a guess as to which images above have topaz... I love it and am still in the category of not sure when to use it and not sure how far to take it... So, still learning... |
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07/05/2009 10:24:17 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by kandykarml:
I'd like to hear the nay sayers make their guesses on this one... I think the topaz images you DON'T like are NOT because of Topaz, but because of the way the photographer has used it... Just like any other filter, one can get a little too excited and take it wayyyyyyyy too far... and, just like any other adjustment, one can see something on their monitor they think is pleasing to the eye, but the majority of people may not care for it...
I personally can't take a guess as to which images above have topaz... I love it and am still in the category of not sure when to use it and not sure how far to take it... So, still learning... |
I agree and as a matter of fact I think half the enjoyment I get out of photography is the time I spend adjusting the pictures later to make them look different. I just downloaded Topaz not long ago and have been enjoying working with it. If I was to venture a guess about the pics from LVicari I would say 2, 3, 4 and 6. But this is purely a guess. And by the way these shots are awesome LVicari. I only aspire to be able to create images like these. |
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07/05/2009 11:35:07 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by colorcarnival:
party pooper :)
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I thought of you as I was typing this Michelle, as I know you're a "user." I was thinking of this shot in particular, which I love:
In looking at your work over the past months (I think you were an early adopter) I have to think that you've managed to tame the beast somewhat. Moderation is key, I guess. I also find it less offensive when working in monochrome.
Message edited by author 2009-07-05 11:41:25. |
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07/05/2009 11:43:39 AM · #12 |
Okay, just for fun. 3 and 6, probably 4 and possibly 5. Or maybe it's all of them. Or none of them. Certainly it's a trick. (!)
My issue isn't with shots like this. The processing here complements (versus overpowers) some strong compositions. |
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07/05/2009 11:46:16 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by FF112173:
I would like to see a challenge where you the picture you take is the picture you submit. No filtering or post processing whatsoever. Lets see what people can do without the aid of the computer just for fun. I understand every picture, even those shot with film, have some level of post processing, but I am curious to see what people can do without. Again, just for fun. |
We do that here. It's called Minimal Editing, although, sadly, these challenges are few and far between. I actually did quite well in the last one:
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07/05/2009 12:00:12 PM · #14 |
Others have said it best, but still, I'll add my 2¢
 ...
Topaz brought out the details in this. Just simple
processing.
If you're going for "arty stuff" and I like the edge as well as anyone,
then Topaz is also helpful. However, I think knowing
the difference is important.
:-))
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07/05/2009 12:06:07 PM · #15 |
You're a photography purist, Brian :D A lot of photogs dig that.
I think using this software is like anything we do with photography. We find something we like (camera brands, lenses) and stick with it.
If you use Topaz for anything tho, use it for the B/W. It really is amazing to see what details you can pull out of the shadows with this software. This one is in color but look at the shadows on the wall:
This is the kind of thing I like. It's overprocessed, but it's more my style :)
Hopefully there will be another minimal editing challenge soon. I need to improve my actual photography skills lol. Maybe that would be a good side challenge? As a Topaz "user" tho, that might put me thru withdrawal :D
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07/05/2009 12:09:14 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by colorcarnival:
party pooper :)
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Originally posted by bvy:
I thought of you as I was typing this Michelle, as I know you're a "user." I was thinking of this shot in particular, which I love:
In looking at your work over the past months (I think you were an early adopter) I have to think that you've managed to tame the beast somewhat. Moderation is key, I guess. I also find it less offensive when working in monochrome. |
It's a tool.....it's only as good, or weird as the user. I love the strange & wild effects that you get for some stuff, but I also like the fine tuning that can be done with it that's not over the edge.
These have Topaz used on them in one form or another. What I like is that I can go as mild or wild as I want.
    
I love it that the one of the stream got a comment mistaking it for a  DrAchoo shot! LOL!!!
Anywho.......just for giggles, try it for free, and then see what you think.....
I resisted it 'cause all I saw was the cartoonish over-tone-mapped stuff at first, now I find that I like to play with it like that as well, but I really like what I can do with it for images that just need different areas worked on that I can't seem to do with my CS2.....or that I don't know how to do.
I do like to play like this every now and then, though.......8>)
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07/05/2009 12:29:08 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by colorcarnival:
You're a photography purist, Brian :D A lot of photogs dig that.
I think using this software is like anything we do with photography. We find something we like (camera brands, lenses) and stick with it.
If you use Topaz for anything tho, use it for the B/W. It really is amazing to see what details you can pull out of the shadows with this software. This one is in color but look at the shadows on the wall:
This is the kind of thing I like. It's overprocessed, but it's more my style :)
Hopefully there will be another minimal editing challenge soon. I need to improve my actual photography skills lol. Maybe that would be a good side challenge? As a Topaz "user" tho, that might put me thru withdrawal :D |
Maybe a SOoC side challenge for the month of August? I myself am a purist. I love film and have tried to move a lot of what I learned in my film days over to digital. I have not acutually used Advanced editing in any of my entries(including free studies) and have faired pretty well for basic editing.
And you know I love your work Michelle, but that is something I would expect to see in the sunday comics. It really looks like a comic strip to me.
Matt |
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07/05/2009 12:47:23 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by MattO:
Maybe a SOoC side challenge for the month of August? |
What does SOoC stand for? I'm sure I'll be participating whatever it is :D
Originally posted by MattO:
And you know I love your work Michelle, but that is something I would expect to see in the sunday comics. It really looks like a comic strip to me. |
Yeahhhh but that's what I like tho... a bit o' real mixed in with some surreal :D
Here's another comic strip one for you :D
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07/05/2009 12:48:37 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by colorcarnival:
Originally posted by MattO:
Maybe a SOoC side challenge for the month of August? |
What does SOoC stand for? I'm sure I'll be participating whatever it is :D
Originally posted by MattO:
And you know I love your work Michelle, but that is something I would expect to see in the sunday comics. It really looks like a comic strip to me. |
Yeahhhh but that's what I like tho... a bit o' real mixed in with some surreal :D
Here's another comic strip one for you :D
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SOoC Straight Out of Camera. And that photo is still way more real then surreal and I actually like it. :)
Matt
Message edited by author 2009-07-05 12:49:38. |
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07/05/2009 01:13:27 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by bvy:
It's called Minimal Editing, although, sadly, these challenges are few and far between. I actually did quite well in the last one: |
We've had many discussions about this and since digital offers so much, I think most of the fun for me is the editing. Sometimes it's a lot, sometimes, it's almost none. But like "expert editing," people are intimidated either way. |
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07/05/2009 02:06:57 PM · #21 |
If the same effect is achievable by other means, what is the difference? - I used to hate radical effects of any kind, but I find myself pushing the limits, at least in playing with my stuff, with the limited parameters in Irfanview. It is primarily interesting, but it is in a way more profound than that: most if not all of my photo-ing is undertaken in order to see what I do not otherwise see, and pushing sliders hither and yon is just another selection process after the original click of the moment, revealing the unsuspected, or tying everything together, or various combinations of the two.
I do love a photo that needs no pp.
Equally, I am delighted by colorcarnival's work. |
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07/05/2009 02:48:41 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by bvy:
Okay, just for fun. 3 and 6, probably 4 and possibly 5. Or maybe it's all of them. Or none of them. Certainly it's a trick. (!)
My issue isn't with shots like this. The processing here complements (versus overpowers) some strong compositions. |
Hey Brian, I agree with you about overdoing it. I think it has its place when people use it to an extreme, I personally don't like to use it that way. Subtle usage works for me. As for the pics I posted all pics have some Topaz elements to them.
That goes with all other programs and plugins available. Subtle works for me.
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07/05/2009 03:37:20 PM · #23 |
I'd go with all the above. But if one is not topaz, I would guess #1 is not. 4 and 6 look a lot like Topaz efforts. The clouds and water in 5 look like the mark of Topaz.
Personally, I like Topaz. But the stuff that is really heavily processed, Topaz or not, is to me less about photography and more about graphic art. 4 and 6 above, are along that line. I really like the images, but they speak to me less as photograph and more as artwork. (Which is not meant to diminish them in any way.) Your experience may differ.
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07/06/2009 09:06:21 PM · #24 |
8>)
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07/06/2009 09:09:52 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
8>) |
Zing! |
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