Topaz Adjust for Photo-Realism

[larsjames]

It's difficult not to become an instant photo-artist using Topaz filters, but with a little restraint the Adjust filter can be used to intensify photo-realism.

The following effect, using only Topaz Adjust, results in an amazing enhancement of color and detail without crossing the line into "painterly effects." I worked in Photoshop CS4 and have provided a Photoshop Elements *work-around below.

I worked with an image that was 1008 x 672 pixels to allow for a large actual-size pixel viewing on this forum. For larger or smaller files different filter settings would need to be applied to achieve the same effect, but the process would remain the same.

AFTER



BEFORE



Topaz Adjust Photo-Realism Enhancement:

• Start with your image on one "Base" layer

• Filter menu > Topaz Labs > Adjust > Spicify > Click OK for default settings

• Edit menu > Fade Adjust > Blending Mode set to Multiply at 68%

• Filter menu > Topaz Labs > Adjust > Portrait_Drama > Click OK for default settings

• Edit menu > Fade Adjust > Blending Mode set to Normal at 64%

• Filter menu > Topaz Labs > Adjust > Color_Blast > Click OK for default settings

• Edit menu > Fade Adjust > Blending Mode set to Normal at 76%

*NOTE: For Photoshop Elements users you can achieve the "Fade" effect, which is not available in Elements, by duplicating your layer, applying the filter on that layer and using layer opacity set at the percentage I suggest in the steps above. If indicated, you can set the Blending Mode (click on "Normal" on the Layers panel to reveal the blending modes). Then, on the layer panel select "Merge Visible", duplicate the one layer and go to the next step).

[basicblack]

another beautiful one thanks for the directions.....I'll be all over them in the morning. Have a nice evening.

[wcoleman]

Very nice, and thanks for this and the multi-filter post. Both give outstanding results.

Cheers,

Flick

[daronk]

It's amazing what Topaz pulls out of sky/cloud shots. I'm always impressed with the results.

[MikeR]

James,

Thanks for sharing this info, nicely detailed. Great sky, amazing difference. I don't know if its my monitor settings or not, but there appears to be faint irridescent green on the lower portion of the Topaz image, where the original looks black. If its there, was that part of the original image, or did it occur due to the sky processing?

Mike

[larsjames]

here appears to be faint irridescent green on the lower portion of the Topaz image, where the original looks black.

Good catch, Mike. Working in Photoshop the dark part of the image was in the lower part of the screen and I didn't see the green cast (or missed it). I fixed it.

[crunkle]

Thank you so much for your processing. It helps to have a starting point from which to start.

[tebphotos]

Thanks for posting these settings. I'm going thru the process of learning how to use these filters and this is a good guide for "realism" setting. I had been avoiding the "spicify" setting because I thought it went too far away from realism.
Regards, Tom B.

[tennie]

The presets can all be adjusted. If you get an effect you like, save it as a preset with a new name. :idea:

I love spicify, but for many images it's a bit too much. Now I just use 'milder spice'...my preset. c:

I have done the same thing in 'clean2'. Toned down the effects in a couple areas where I like the effect but not quite so strongly.

Or, as James said, you can blend, use opacity or whatever. May have to do that somewhat anyway. If it was all just 'touch a button' then there wouldn't be much fun in it and we'd all have images that look alike. :nuts:

[Socrates]

James,

I'm one of the po' folk with PSE and I find myself frequently trying to get PSE workarounds for PS functions. Can you describe what "Fade Adjust > Blending Mode" accomplishes? BTW, PSE does allow me to set the opacities of the layers.

Incidentally, my typical workflow resembles yours. I use various Topaz presets on different layers, some of which also get a Remask treatment. Then, in some instances, I judiciously use the PSE eraser. Finally, I blend the layers together with different opacities until they look good.