Gracie Binoya Photography
Capturing the world one pixel at a time
Topaz Clarity Introduced
Topaz Labs has released a brand new plugin, the Topaz Clarity. It was meant to help photographers create compelling and powerful images by intelligently enhancing contrast and clarity with no visible artifact or halos.
Here are some of the unique features introduced in Topaz Clarity:
- Selective Contrast Control – a cutting edge process of selecting specific contrast variations in your original image, allowing you to quickly target and then increase or decrease the contrast and clarity in that specific variation.
- Breakthrough Halo-free Algorithm – boost contrast and clarity without emphasizing transitions between light and dark areas, eliminating the common problems of halos, noise and artifacts.
- Advance Hue/Saturation/Luminance Technology – using IntelliColor technology, you can easily enhance your image with the HSL filter, getting stronger, yet more natural HSL adjustments.
- 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.
- User Interface Design – cleaner, more modern and efficient interface to improve usability, workflow and overall aesthetics.
You can purchase the Topaz Clarity at a special reduced price of $29.99 through May 31st with promo code: claritynew by clicking here. After the introductory price expires, it will retail for $49.99, so grab your copy now.
I received a pre-released version of the software, which allowed me to play with it a little. Although, I have only used the included presets, I am amazed at how easy it is to use. I think I am already in love, and I can easily see myself using this plugin a lot. Check out the sample photo I edited using the Sunset III preset. Click on the images for a better view.
Tulip bed original
Tulip Bed: Lightroom / PSE with Topaz Clarity Plugin
iPhoneography Challenge: Black and White
Today’s iPhoneography Monday theme is Black & White. Two elements of a photograph that I enjoy the most are textures and lines. These can easily be highlighted when an image is converted into monochrome or black and white. This is a photo of a wooden slipper key chain which I bought on my recent trip to the Philippines. I set it on my hardwood floor and used my iPhone’s native camera (set to HDR) to take the shot. It was then converted to black and white using Snapseed. The details that you see were also enhanced using the same iPhone app.
Please check out Sally’s version on Lens and Pens by Sally, and Polly’s black and white photo on Watching the Photo Reels. Of course, you are more than welcome to join the challenge, see the mechanics here.
Black & White Friday: They Also Faced The Sea
Art Installation by Provincetown artists Ewa Nogiec and Norma Holt
When I visited Provincetown, MA last year, the photograph of the faces of the women mounted on the side of the Fisherman’s Wharf in Provincetown Harbor caught my attention. I saw the installation in passing when the whale watching boat that I was on was coming back to shore. I remember hearing the tour guide mention something about these photos, but I couldn’t hear the story very well from where I was standing. I later found out that these photos were of Eva Silva, Mary Jason, Bea Cabral and Frances Raymond, all of Portuguese descent. According to what I’ve read, there is a fifth photo, that of Almeda Segura, which unfortunately was destroyed by the weather. These photos were meant as a tribute to the women of this fishing village, who demonstrated strength, courage and composure, keeping the community alive, while waiting for the return of their male seafaring counterparts who sailed and fished the waters of the Cape and the Atlantic.
iPhoneography Challenge: Macro
I know, I know…I’m late for iPhoneography Monday again. I can’t seem to get back into the rhythm. Since I started shooting weddings this year, I have received several requests for family portraits as well, and it has been keeping me really busy. But, I will try to find time to update my blog more often.
Allow me to post my version of Macro for iPhoneography Monday (Tuesday in this case). Shot with my iPhone, of course and edited with Snapseed.
More macro photos can be found on Sally’s Lens & Pens by Sally and Polly’s Watching Photo Reels. You may also join on the challenge, click here for the mechanics.
Click here to visit Craft & Vision.
