I had an interesting chat with the folks on the MacPhun stand at The Photography Show at the Birmingham NEC at the beginning of March. They were showing off two new plug-ins called Intensify and SnapHeal. Both come in standard and Pro versions, and both work as standalone apps or plug-ins for Aperture, Lightroom, Photoshop and Elements. They're … [Read more...]
Get more natural results with this Lightroom HDR effect
HDR (high dynamic range techniques) are sometimes necessary to cope with scenes that have a higher dynamic range than the camera's sensor can cope with. But that's happening less and less as sensor technology improves. The latest D-SLR sensors don't just have increased dynamic range, they're able to capture shadow detail with less noise than … [Read more...]
Who needs HDR when you’ve got Viveza 2 control points?
Viveza 2 is part of the Google Nik Collection, and I think it's in danger of being overlooked in favour of the newer, flashier or more versatile plug-ins in the collection. Viveza 2 is designed to offer localised adjustments for your digital image using the 'control point' technology now found throughout the Google Nik Collection. Viveza 2 … [Read more...]
Boost your landscapes with HDR Efex Pro
HDR Efex Pro isn't just for special effects. It can enhance your images in much more straightforward ways, improving the tonal balance, sky detail and colour saturation. I like to use it on landscapes, where professionals can wait for hours for the right lighting, but the rest of us have to grab shots when we can. The shot below is a good … [Read more...]
Have you ever tried HDR Efex Pro portraits?
HDR techniques are usually associated with surreal landscapes and architectural photography, but you can create HDR Efex Pro portraits for some unique and powerful effects. This works best with male subjects because it creates a dark, brooding look where every pore and wrinkle is emphasised. I'm starting with this informal photograph taken … [Read more...]
How to use the HDR Efex Pro merge tools
Like other HDR tools, HDR Efex Pro 2 is designed to work with a sequence of bracketed exposures which cover a wider dynamic range than a single image could record. This means you need to pay special attention to the HDR Efex Pro merge tools. You'll see these whenever you open a series of images, either with the standalone HDR Efex Pro 2 app or by … [Read more...]