keith k

Can anyone explain what a plug in is and is Topaz just Photoshop on steroids or does it serve additional needs not found in Photoshop? I have basic PS Elements and there are some limits. Topaz tutorials look amazing but is it a free standing program or does it have to go through PS?

I look at the Topaz tutorials and wonder if the original 'photograph' is still in there....

Keith K

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

A plug-in for photoshop makes image adjustments a lot easier and faster. It can speed up your workflow.
I always use them vbia a new layer from Photoshop.

"usually" As soon as you make any adjustments to the original file it's gone. (this may be software dependant like Lightroom where the original (raw file, at least) is not changed, for example)

Some Topaz adjustments are available via Topaz Studio

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

You access a plug-in from a host (such as PS, Lightroom, PS Elements). Some of Topaz can be used stand-alone. I use Topaz and Nik Collection with PS Elements and work with layers.

As for your comment, I look at the Topaz tutorials and wonder if the original 'photograph' is still in there...., methinks you're not going to get the full benefit of additional software (although I see you did ask about watercolor effects not long ago) PS Elements is all you need for basic editing and more.

Playtime with Topaz Simplify and PS Elements:

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Although I have 6 of the modules, I only use three on a regular basis: DeNoise, Adjust and B&W Effects. From what I've browsed from their recent advertising emails, Topaz seems to be developing their software as a stand-alone edit workbench rather than only as plug-in tools to other editors. DeNoise I use on nearly every image, the other two only when I "see" a use or want to do something different.

melueth Loc: Central Florida

Keith - you can download the free "shell" of Topaz studio, which can work as a stand-alone or a plug in to other programs such as PS, PS Elements, or Lightroom. There are LOADS of presets created by Topaz and public users inside the studio platform that you can instantly apply to any of your shots to get a quick edit, as opposed to having to do layering in a more manual fashion. You can then go on to tweak any of the "adjustment layers" that preset made to your shot, and add others from a drop down menu. If you like certain adjustment tools, you can purchase their expanded version from Topaz. I started with the free studio, and have added several expanded modules/adjustments. For me, it provides an easier workflow for my edits than some other programs, especially if i'm going "artsy." It's also training my eye to see beyond the image i took originally, and offering me other creative ideas in a fast swoop that i never would have come up with left to my own (dull) devices!

Marylea

johnst1001a Loc: West Chester, Ohio

I use Topaz regularly, DeNoise, Clrity, Glow etc. As the adjustments are made in layers, you can always go back to the original if you duplicated the original in a new layer to start. Also, on one thing that happens is each new layer adds to the file size, you can easily get file sizes of 1gb. So what I do is "flatten the image layers when I am done with adjustments the save with a new file name. Which by the way when I work with Photoshop I always open the file, than resave it with a new name. This you always keep the original.

Actually as for backup copies of files I save all the files from the memory card to a new folder on a hard drive first, all photo files, before I delete any from the card. I then back up this entire folder to a second hard drive. One of the drives is an SSD which help with speed, but after I am done editing any/all picturesI move the folder of files off to the regular drive as the sSD I have is only 500gb.
In total I have about 100,000 pictures saved all for personal use, not a business. I once lost a folder full of photos from a trip to Paris from my hard drive when I only had one drive, fortunately I have been there more than once. I also had a hard drive fail, but did not lose anything since I backup everything twice. I don't use any of the computers hard drive for photo storage, only software.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

Give Topaz a try for free....Topaz Studio download is a freebie and the adjustments can be tried for free also for 30 days. I tried and I purchased AI Clear, Abstract, B/W effects. Going to add Denoise soon. I shoot a lot of times in bad lighting ice hockey arenas. Shoot with a 7D MKII and now have a FF 6D MKII. The 6D handles low light a lot better than the 7D. Guess I'll save the 7D for football....daylight.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I use Detail and Clarity most of the time. I have an action which is my starting point. I also use NIK when I follow Tin Man Lee teachings

RickL Loc: Vail, Az

I use Topaz either stand alone or through Photoshop. It is easy to use under filter. It is fast and easy to use. Denoise 6 takes about 2-3 minutes to process and save. Topaz also provides many online tutorials


Rick

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

Not true at all. There are many ways to keep the original while making adjustments to it. The one we've known in the computer world for several decades is File > Save as. Another one is to make a copy of the original and work on it. A third way, which I use in Photoshop, is to learn how to use the History panel in combination with File > Save as.

nikondoug

Topaz is not free, all of their plug-ins have a price for them. I have a number of the plug-ins, but I only purchase them when they go on sale. The plug-ins are easy to use, also Topaz has weekly tutorials on how to use the different plug-ins which are free to watch. Give Topaz a try.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

The other main way to keep the original intact is to do all your adjustments on layers. You can go back and change the adjustments, and they don't change the original.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Apologies if I didn't read the earlier comments close enough, but for 'layers' and the LR users with Topaz plugins, another method is to purchase the Topaz PhotoFXLab. This tool gives you a single interface between Lightroom and all the Topaz plugins. Pass the image from LR as a 16-bit TIFF in colorspace - ProPhoto RGB. Once inside the PhotoFXLab, you can build layers as you step through the Topaz editors, if you use multiple plug ins. For example, I may take an image from LR to Topaz. My first step is to duplicate that layer. Then, I might apply Denoize. I duplicate the results of the Denoise layer and then apply HDR processing in Adjust. I duplicate that layer and then do a B&W conversion. All these duplicate layers are not technically required, but you might compare the results by hiding version layers and see something you want to redo / do differently. You can restart with one of those incremental layers rather than having to cancel out of the FXlab and start over.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

TOPAZ studio is free....the plugins and adjustments you can download and use them for free for 30 days. https://topazlabs.com/downloads/

Danielmb

I have used Topaz plugins for several years. Denoise 6 is the best noise program I have used and I think their tutorials can be helpful. Also, customer service is quite good.