Annie-Get-Your-Gun Loc: Byron Center, Mi

I'm not sure whether this is the proper place to ask this. I like what some of the Hogs do with Topaz and I want to get Topaz. Do I order Topaz Studio or Topaz Lab? Or another? I would appreciate your help.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

A choice you may prefer to make for yourself, but most of the tools are in the Topaz Lab suite. That said, the entire suite is very expensive. Look at Topaz' description of each module, then buy a few - try them out - and then consider adding more. Don't ignore the capabilities of any editing software you may already have such as Lightroom, Elements or whatever. No sense in duplicating what you paid for previously unless the tool you are adding is really better. And don't forget that most are available with a 30-day free trial. /Ralph

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

The studio may be a $ making thing because the suite is so expensive. Goggle is giving away NIK... which sold for $150
https://www.google.com/nikcollection/

Another low cost... compromise is JIXIPIX

Not impressed by Topaz Impressions... when DAP, Dynamic Autopainter, is vastly superior.... http://www.mediachance.com/dap/index.html

I have the full suite... never use Topaz "in focus" [German Franzis sells a noise reduction #3 [[#4 is current]] is on sale for $20... via Ashampoo... sign up] [also watch giveawayoftheday.com fro free edit or mod programs]

I do use deNoise, Detail, Clarity [a contrast program] Texture is impressive. Rest of suite goes unused... Tho, good starter is Adjust... it is a little of every thing.

I can not advise you on Studio.... have it but like every thing is life we go with what we are use to and why learn something new when old works fine... [many reasons but I like most people a bit LAZY]

Down load the 30 day... also watch first the many free Topaz Webinars... 1 hr long each.... by the time you are educated via that it will be christmas/New-Years and they [Topaz] have a half price sale.

rJayWallace ... " Don't ignore the capabilities of any editing software you may already have " should add Affinity to the list of edit programs... $50 is a one time excellent investment vs the Adobe monthly ransom.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

DAP looks very cool. Wish MediaChance made a MAC version.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Are you planning to use it with Photoshop?

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Hi Annie--

I use Topaz extensively with my processing, but there's no need to buy the whole suite, as several of the programs I find less than useful. I do use Adjust frequently, and Detail, Glow, and Simplify on most if not all of my images. Studio I haven't looked at, FXLab is only for those who want to use Topaz programs without using Photoshop, or in other words, as a standalone program. I do buy their programs when they have either monthly specials or holiday sales, usually up to fifty percent off. NIK is useful, but not an equivalent. I also have On1, which I hardly use, but it does offer some things Topaz doesn't. I think it's mainly what you get used to using, which of the sets you prefer. But I do find Topaz very easy to apply and very easy to manipulate.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Topaz Studio* is a general purpose editor, I got it free during the intro promotion and haven't really used it enough to decide about doing an upgrade to the "full" paid version.
Of the various Suite programs, I did the 30 day free trial in 2015 and only bought Simplify. I haven't used it in about 9 or 10 months because I learned to get the same look in LR/PS or even Corel PSP. Even when I was using it regularly I often "tweaked" images in LR/PS/PSP after using.

*It also will use the Topaz Labs Suite apps as plug-ins so everything is in one place.

Annie-Get-Your-Gun Loc: Byron Center, Mi

Thank you, Robert. I've had other responses but have not received a simple, sure-fire answer. I'm not giving up tho' and hope I will order what I need to create images like Snap Shots.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Just spent a little bit playing with it, has a learning curve but I got a look, updated it (don't have the paid Pro version) Managed to get Topaz Simplify 4 into the plug-in drop down menu.
Seems to be a general purpose photo editor, sort of a cross between a simple PS and LR with Topaz labs app features thrown in as well as the ability to use the full app as a plug-in. You can get a 30 day free trial of the pro features just by clicking on them in the Studio controls while editing.

This seems to be a good run down on the Beta Version that came out: http://cristenscraps.wordpress.com/2017/04/28/topaz-studio-first-look/

Here is the free download of Topaz Studios:
http://web.topazlabs.com/

You will find a link to the Pro Pack - you can buy parts of it or the whole thing for $138.
The Pro features seem to give you many of the more popular parts of the full Topaz Labs apps in a simpler version. Or you can buy the full Topaz Labs apps and use them as plug-ins within Studio, just like you would in PS or LR.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Around Thanksgiving it goes on sale 50%off or if you go to the photo expo in NYC the end of Oct.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I purchased Topaz Adjust a couple of years back, and don't use it as much as I expected, but it does have a couple of "adjustments" to add 'POP' to a photo saving a lot of work.

I think they are all available on a 30 day trial basis. Why not pick a couple you think are interesting and try them out before jumping into the full suite. As with PS & PSE, I suspect that most of us use less than half of the capabilities; I'm well below that 50% estimate.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

I use some of the Topaz module for special effects. For me, the secret is to make the the adjustments VERY subtle.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I use often Topaz Adjust. Although I usually go with a preset I modify the effect to make it look natural.

StaneeRae Loc: Lincroft, NJ USA

As mentioned above, Topaz will often offer a deal at the larger photo trade shows, like Photo Plus Expo in NYC, or at PPA's annual convention. I got their bundle (7 products the time) around 10 years ago. One nice thing is you get free updates for life with your original license key. Watch their Facebook page for holiday coupon sales. If you use my referral code, it will add a $20 credit to your account. http://www.topazlabs.com?hr=WdLP0

I'm getting nice results with their Topaz Studio program, which you can see on this thread - http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-462995-3.html

But all their products have a learning curve to get the most out of them. Check their Facebook groups.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Yes, I overcooked with Topaz until one Webinar the presenter said go 100% right on slider [yuck] then back off til the adjust looked good [aaaaa] and the just a tad more backoff. Yes! best!