mooseeyes Loc: Sonora, California

I would like some thoughts, comments, etc. from those members who have and use Topaz. What do you like and/or don't like?

There are several different modules, which you pay for each. So far I can only see maybe three of these that I would ever use. The rest I don't find worth the money?

When my trial is up, I am not sure if I'll keep any part of Topaz for my work???

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ken

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

I use Topaz Detail and like it very much! Very nice to bring out feather details in birds. I also use the "noise" reducer in Topaz Adjust. I'm very happy with how it works. I don't have DeNoise but I hear that it works very well. I have watched a few Topaz webinars and I am always impressed at the things you can do with Topaz products.

Crichmond Loc: Loveland, CO

I have and use several Topaz products.

I use Denoise all the time, Detail 3 a great deal of the time, and Remask when I want to create a mask.

On much fewer occasions I will use Adjust, Lens Effects, or Clarity. I find Focus Magic much easier to use than Topaz's InFocus.

All in all I am very please with the Topaz products. I find them easy to learn and use, and the 64 bit modules process the photos much faster on my machines than either Nik or OnOne.

My standard practice is to post process first in Lightroom 5, then export a copy of the photo into Photoshop Elements where I create a layer, apply the plugin to that layer, and use PS to make further adjustments if I so desire.

I believe that no matter what software is chosen, there is a learning curve.

Hope this is of some help.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You didn't mention which module you're interested in. I started with DeNoise which is still the module I use the most. Two others I use somewhat frequently are Adjust and Clarity. For integration with LR5 (or PSE10), I also have the PhotoFX module. I've been happy with updates done only in LR5 so I use the Topaz modules less except for very problematic Noise or when I see an artistic opportunity.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Ken, I have six or seven Topaz programs. I use Adjust and Simplify on nearly everything. Detail3 on a few, and rarely any of the others.

I find them very simple to use, and do them in layers. I keep the opacity of Adjust at or near 100 percent, usually with a preset like 'mild color pop' or 'simple pop.' But there are other very good effects, such as 'setting sun' or 'French Countryside' to add interest. I don't do much HDR, but their settings aren't bad.

With Simplify, my preference is for BuzSim II, which I use on my cats. The oils and watercolors are good, tho I usually keep opacities way down, 25-30 percent at most, unless I'm really after a strong painted effect. Simplify is somewhat memory intensive, takes a few minutes to apply the changes to your photo, whereas Adjust loads in a matter of a few seconds. Both can be masked readily to limit the application area.

Detail3 I use mainly for the softening effects, and I really like what it does. Again, use it mainly for my cats, tho also some landscape shots with a low opacity.

I haven't tried NIK to compare, but Topaz really brings my photos to life, and I'd buy it (especially those three programs) again in a heartbeat. Very simple to learn and well worth the money.

DeNoise is another one I do use on occasion, works well, but I don't tend to shoot a lot of low-light stuff, so I don't use that one quite as much as some folks might.

mooseeyes Loc: Sonora, California

I have been using Photoshop since it first came on the market. Now at CS5, and don't have a need to upgrade. Likewise with LR4. Also I have Perfect Photo Suite 6 & 8, plus Smart Photo Editor, which I have been using for a couple of years.

Thank you to all who responded here, and I am thinking that I'll sort of go the way of my friend Treepusher. No more than a few modules, to be used sparingly.

Ken

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Just as a note, Topaz often puts their programs on sale, especially around holidays, with discounts up to fifty percent. Or if you do one of their webinars, I believe they give you 30 percent off the price of that particular module.

Not that I'm cheap, but I don't like paying more than I have to. I presume you're the same.

bigwolf40 Loc: Effort, Pa.

My self I have them all and think there is a place for each one. They do have discounts on them. Signup for their webinars and you can see for yourself if you would use them. They are very good and fairly easy to use.

Anne

I have Topaz Adjust and Black/White and am trying Simplify now. I love the results I get. I use to do oil painting but switched to Photography about 10 years ago and have found that Simplify gives great paintrly effects. Also I wait for webinair and sales.
A

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

I regularly use Remask and where necessary Denoise.

Look at the Topaz site and/or YouTube and you will find detailed videos on the various modules which will enable you to decide which are of use to yourself.

Anyone who uses more than half of the modules would find the complete set to be cheaper than purchasing individual modules.

mooseeyes Loc: Sonora, California

Again, thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions. They have been very helpful to me in my thinking.

I have signed up for four upcoming webinars with Topaz. Two different "creative" webinars, and two shorter "tips" sessions on which modules and suggested work-flow. These should jump-start my thinking about what to buy, etc.

Will have to see what sort of deals they want to make me price wise, after my trial period ends. The one module that many seem to mention as their first and/or primary use is the "denoise". I have not even looked at that one as yet, as I don't generally have "noise" problems with my images. Will have to take a look at this module and see if there is any need for it in my work?

Ken

bigwolf40 Loc: Effort, Pa.

mooseeyes If you go to youtube.com/topazlabs You can see all their webinars that they have done in the past and pretty much up to date....Rich

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

Both Topaz and Youtube have many free tutorial videos that cover all aspects of the filters. There are also past webinars covering hours of tuition - all for free.
While experimenting - check out 'Remask' and the webinars showing what wonderful results can be obtained with it. It certainly is my favorite and most used filter.