Topaz Adjust May Editing Side Challenge

04/22/2009 10:33:14 AM · #101

Originally posted by bspurgeon:

I have a request for the more robust users of TA. You know who you are...are you using presets, then tweaking? Do skip the presets? Anyone interested in posting an example with your processing workflow?

I use presets to locate the neighborhood, and tweak the adjustments to zero in on the address I want. I use one of the three "detail" presets as a starting point a LOT. I have had good success with duping BG layer, running "Detail" tweaked, then duping THAT layer and running "simplify", then duping THAT layer and running "small details", then adjusting layer mode/opacity on all three. This gets interesting volumetric effects out of flat originals.

R.

04/22/2009 10:45:42 AM · #102

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

That sounds interesting - I shall give this a try to see what happens. Do you find this works with all types of subjects or does it work better for say landscapes than people?

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Canon

04/22/2009 10:54:54 AM · #103

Originally posted by colorcarnival:

That sounds interesting - I shall give this a try to see what happens. Do you find this works with all types of subjects or does it work better for say landscapes than people?

I haven't used this approach much on anything but landscapes/objects. I haven't Topazed any people since I started doing this. I do have a current challenge entry that was done this way. It's not scoring very well, which doesn't surprise me in the least, as the processing is totally over the top and the image is a bit of a shoehorn to boot :-)

R.

boyd2000

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

04/22/2009 11:19:53 AM · #104

Michelle, please add me to the list. I have to since I love Topaz Adjust and you're my first friend here. It will be a challenge for me to do since I'm spending most of May on a cruise on two continents I've never been to before and the first part of May in preparation for it, but as long as it's not a PAD (picture a day) and older pictures can be used I think I can handle it. I've been a non-entity here since the mega-challenge and out of the PAW since about week 9 and I need something to get me back into DPC. My last entry will probably be May 12.

04/22/2009 12:51:53 PM · #105

Hey Michelle, I'm on my lunch hour so I tried one of your suggestions. I just used the burn tool to darken the left side so it's not real neat.

04/22/2009 01:39:51 PM · #106

left you a comment, Bob :)

cool stuff, eh? addicted yet?

04/22/2009 01:40:29 PM · #107

Originally posted by boyd2000:

got you in Boyd - sounds like you are going to have quite an adventure in May! I'm sure we'd like to see the photos from that trip too :)

04/22/2009 01:41:25 PM · #108

Originally posted by sempermarine:

Count me in! This should be fun and I need to step away from the regular challenges anyway.

Welcome to your new addiction lol

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

04/22/2009 02:02:43 PM · #109

Originally posted by bmartuch:

Hey Michelle, I'm on my lunch hour so I tried one of your suggestions. I just used the burn tool to darken the left side so it's not real neat.

I did a variant myself, layering/fading a B/W layer with a dupe layer, merging the two, duping that, doing some clarity topaz, erasing all but the face/cap from that, then cloning some tonedown on the bright spots left:

Nikon D800

04/22/2009 04:08:38 PM · #110

wow... I never got into HDR or anything but I just DL'd the 30 day trial, and now it looks like the next month of mine will be dedicated to staying indoors and seeing what this can do to my old photos... ugh, and the weather was just turning nice.

04/22/2009 04:14:44 PM · #111

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Yeh Bear, easy for you to say!!! I like what you did. I have a lot to learn about this software but it's fun to play with.

04/22/2009 05:09:45 PM · #112

Originally posted by bmartuch:

Yeh Bear, easy for you to say!!! I like what you did. I have a lot to learn about this software but it's fun to play with.

One thing to bear in mind is that the Topaz previews often look ridiculously overcooked in the details, but when you actually apply the conversion to the new layer, it can be a lot smoother. And layer>fade opacity is your friend :-)

R.

04/22/2009 08:14:45 PM · #113

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

One thing to bear in mind is that the Topaz previews often look ridiculously overcooked in the details, but when you actually apply the conversion to the new layer, it can be a lot smoother.

R.

I noticed that immediately after I bought it. Also, I tried some of the layering that you did. I used a B&W as an overlay. I just have to find that Layer > Fade now.

04/22/2009 08:16:50 PM · #114

Originally posted by bmartuch:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

One thing to bear in mind is that the Topaz previews often look ridiculously overcooked in the details, but when you actually apply the conversion to the new layer, it can be a lot smoother.

R.

I noticed that immediately after I bought it. Also, I tried some of the layering that you did. I used a B&W as an overlay. I just have to find that Layer > Fade now.

As soon as you do something, go to the "edit" menu, and see (latest action)>fade near the top.

R.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

04/22/2009 09:55:43 PM · #115

Ok guys and girls,
...Lords and Ladies,
...Kings and Queen(singular):)

Here is another one of those vintage baseball shots from the world championship in Dearborn, Michigan.

I used 3 layers
..Topaz adjust
..Mask out the background
..B&W Layer
..Put them all together and this is what I got.

ETA; I have to get better at masking neatly!! Actually, I'm pretty happy with this except for the top of the hat. More stuff to learn.

Message edited by author 2009-04-22 21:59:29.

tamatama

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

04/22/2009 11:44:22 PM · #116

Please include me, too!
I played a bit with the trial version of topaz and would like to know about different ways to use this software.
I am also traveling in May and might not be able to post regularly, but here is one to start:

Just used one of the presets and applied neat image.

bspurgeon

Fujifilm x100

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

04/23/2009 12:01:23 AM · #117

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by bspurgeon:
I have a request for the more robust users of TA. You know who you are...are you using presets, then tweaking? Do skip the presets? Anyone interested in posting an example with your processing workflow?

I use presets to locate the neighborhood, and tweak the adjustments to zero in on the address I want. I use one of the three "detail" presets as a starting point a LOT. I have had good success with duping BG layer, running "Detail" tweaked, then duping THAT layer and running "simplify", then duping THAT layer and running "small details", then adjusting layer mode/opacity on all three. This gets interesting volumetric effects out of flat originals.

R.

Thanks. I'll go back and try this on prior Topazed image. I have not tried the simplify preset yet. I need to dig deeper in to this software.

04/23/2009 01:02:06 PM · #118

Hey all!
When masking, how do you get in really close? Is it just tedious work or is there an easier way??

04/23/2009 01:06:07 PM · #119

Originally posted by bmartuch:

Hey all!
When masking, how do you get in really close? Is it just tedious work or is there an easier way??

With a pen tablet :-)

R.

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

04/23/2009 08:01:15 PM · #120

this is a technique I've wanted to try for a loooong time. I just downloaded the software and look forward to exploring most, and maybe all, of the buttons.

Got room for one more in the May side-challenge?

Alice

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

04/23/2009 08:07:13 PM · #121

Originally posted by sfalice:

Rut-roh. Batten down the hatches, folks, a new force has appeared on the topaz horizon!

R.

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

04/23/2009 09:08:52 PM · #122

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by sfalice:

Rut-roh. Batten down the hatches, folks, a new force has appeared on the topaz horizon!

R.

LOL - or not, Bear. I just crashed Photoshop 4 times on my first use of the program. Wiped out my file, experimentation, etc. etc. each time. Guess I'll have to talk to the nice people who sell the product tomorrow.

my first thought? Ah, Vista strikes again.

Alice
:-((

Hipychik

Sony Alpha a6000

04/23/2009 10:18:34 PM · #123

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

That's a lot of dupin' N' Tweekin'! Sounds fun!