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Writing with Light

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I Can See Clearly Now…with Topaz Clarity

I’ve been fortunate over the last week to have been able to test Topaz Labs’ newest plug-in Topaz Clarity. Topaz Clarity enhances contrast and clarity with absolutely no artifacts or halos. With just a few clicks you can easily manipulate your micro, mid-tone and overall contrast, transforming your image from ordinary to extraordinary, while maintaining the natural feeling and tonality you are after.

While the plug-in is simple enough (you’ll recognize the familiar interface of the other suite of Topaz plug-ins) Topaz Clarity is a very powerful tool. I was a bit skeptical when I’d first heard about this new release but once I started using it I was blown away by the subtle yet powerful improvements achieved using this.

Screen Shot 2013-05-21 at 10.25.50 PM

Here are some of the unique features introduced in Topaz Clarity:

1. Selective Contrast Control. With Clarity, Topaz Labs has developed a cutting-edge process of selecting specific contrast variations in the original image, allowing you to quickly target and then increase or decrease the contrast and clarity in that specific variation.

2. Breakthrough Halo-Free Algorithm. Boost contrast and clarity without emphasizing transitions between light and dark areas, eliminating the common problem of halos, noise and artifacts.

3. Advanced Hue/Saturation/Luminance Technology. Using IntelliColor technology, you can easily enhance your image with the HSL filter, getting stronger, yet more natural HSL adjustments.

4. Re-Imagined Masking Workflow. The masking module, now attached to each adjustment tab contains a comprehensive set of tools including an edge-aware brush, gradient mask, smart feather tool, color aware tool and more.

5. User Interface Design. Topaz Labs has continued to develop a cleaner, more modern and efficient interface to improve usability, workflow and overall aesthetics.

Topaz Clarity comes with 9 collections of presets that includes Architecture; Fashion; Macro; Nature & Landscape. The presets are a great way to speed up your processing or giving you a good starting point for the look your after.

Instead of continuing to “tell” you what Topaz Clarity does I’ll “show” you instead with a couple of images I worked on specifically for this review. Please click on the images to enlarge and really see the detail.

Flower, Macro, yellow, gerber

Before

Flower, Macro, yellow, gerber, Topaz Clarity

After – with Topaz Clarity

Boston, harbor, long exposure, black and white, pier

Before

Boston, harbor, long exposure, black and white, pier, Topaz Clarity

After – with Topaz Clarity

Topaz Clarity will retail for $49.99, but it’s being offered now at a special introductory price of $29.99 through May 31st. Use promo code: claritynew Click here to purchase.

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Vision is Better 3 – A New Book by David duChemin

David duChemin is nothing if he isn’t consistent in the messages that he delivers. Whether those messages are delivered via his blog or in his books or through his photographs he expounds on the virtues of vision. While gear is important, as are technical skills, as photographer we must have passion that drives our creativity and our vision.

craft and vision, vision is better, bundle, ebook, david duchemin

Vision is Better 3 was released today by Craft and Vision and it’s 145 pages of essays, articles and tutorials from David duChemin. This is a compilation of articles from David’s Pixelated Image blog and never before published material. The articles are thought provoking and eloquently written. David shares his insights into the how and why of photography. If your a fan of David duChemin or whether your a photographer who wants a glimpse inside the mind and eye of a very talented artist then this book should be part of your library.

You can get Vision is Better 3 for only $5 here. Want an even better value…you can purchase the series, Vision is Best which includes Vision is Better 1, 2 & 3 for $10. You can purchase the bundle here.

Vision_Bundle_Mailchimp_Header

craft and vision, vision is better, bundle, ebook, david duchemin

craft and vision, vision is better, bundle, ebook, david duchemin

The New England Holocaust Memorial

Located in Carmen Park along (most appropriately) the Freedom Trail in Boston is the The New England Holocaust Memorial, which was inspired by survivors of the Holocaust who found new lives in Boston. The memorial consists of 6 glass towers one for each of the 6 extermination camps (Aushwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, Belzec, Sobibor, Chelmno and Majdanek). Each tower is etched with a series of numbers representing the 6 million Jews that were killed during the holocaust. Each tower contains 2 panels of glass inscribed with a quote from survivors or American soldiers recounting memories from that horrible time. The stories are heart wrenching and emotional and walking through the memorial two things were prominent in my thoughts, we must never forget this terrible time in our history and all that was lost and the hope that never again should we, as a society stand still when atrocities such as this occur in the world.

Click on the images to enlarge (the detail is much better and it’s easier to read the inscriptions) or to Purchase a Print.

New England Holocaust Memorial, Carmen Park, Freedom Trail, Boston

New England Holocaust Memorial, Carmen Park, Freedom Trail, Boston

New England Holocaust Memorial, Carmen Park, Freedom Trail, Boston

New England Holocaust Memorial, Carmen Park, Freedom Trail, Boston

New England Holocaust Memorial, Carmen Park, Freedom Trail, Boston

New England Holocaust Memorial, Carmen Park, Freedom Trail, Boston

Spring in the Public Gardens

One of my favorite activities in Boston was strolling through Boston Common and the Public Gardens. It was beautiful day and people were out strolling with their kids, walking their dogs and taking pictures of the cherry blossoms. I ran this image through OnOne Perfect Effects to give it a bit of an ethereal and vintage feel.

I’ve also had an opportunity to test the bet version of Topaz Labs newest plug in Topaz Clarity and I’m really liking it so far. I used it to process another park image which I posted to my Facebook page yesterday. You can have a look at it here.

Next week is shaping up to be a busy one on the blog. I’ll have a full review of Topaz Clarity as well as a new Craft & Vision ebook release that I’ll be reviewing and I think you’ll really like this one.

Click on the image to enlarge (the detail is really much better) or to Purchase a Print.

Boston Common, public gardens, park, spring, cherry blossoms

My…How Cavalier Of You!

I thought I would take a little break from my Boston images (they’ll be back) and share some images of Brady. Before I do that though you may have noticed that I’ve added another item to the menu of this site…”Product Reviews.” Yesterday I published a review of the Gitzo Traveler Tripod & Markins Ballhead. Let me know what you think. I’ll be adding more reviews as I try out new gear.

Speaking of new gear I’m a bit giddy because last week I purchased the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Lens and of course who better to try it out on then Brady. Here are a few initial shots using the new lens. Once I’ve had a chance to really put it to the test I will be posting a full review.

cavalier king charles spaniel, dog, park,

cavalier king charles spaniel, dog, park, ball

cavalier king charles spaniel, dog, park,

Blue Hour Pier

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and a terrific Mother’s Day.

Back on the fan pier in Boston this is the view directly opposite the city skyline which I posted here.

Click on the image to enlarge (it really does look better) or to Purchase a Print.

Boston, Fan Pier, Boston harbor, blue hour, long exposure

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