Red Christmas Poinsettia - Post processing comparing Fractalius and Topaz Glow effects with original image: Please realize that when I apply a filter to my photographs, I usually...

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Please realize that when I apply a filter to my photographs, I usually reduce the opacity of the filter effect to 40% or less (so the differences may be subtle), AND use Layer Masks to allow some of the original photograph to show through. In the series below, I started with an original photo from PS CC 2014, then displayed modifications, first using Fractalius, then Topaz Glow. There are many different presets in each of these plugins, so I tried to keep the effects similar to each other with an even-handed application of effects. Even then, they have a slightly different look, but I will let you decide for yourselves which filter you prefer. I have provided download renditions for each photo so you can better view the details for comparison.

Original Color

(Download)

Processed with Fractalius

(Download)

Processed with Topaz Glow

(Download)

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Bob Yankle wrote:

Please realize that when I apply a filter to my photographs, I usually reduce the opacity of the filter effect to 40% or less... Even then, they have a slightly different look, but I will let you decide for yourselves which filter you prefer. I have provided download renditions for each photo so you can better view the details for comparison.

Bob, if you had these three as prints and I was handed one I wouldn't complain no matter which one I got. If I have to rank them by preference it would be 1 3 2. But don't hold me to it, tomorrow it may be different depending on how I feel. They are all extremely good and differences are so subtle I am not even 100% sure I really see any worth mentioning.

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

#3 for me Bob, a very beautiful shot. :thumbup: :-)

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

robertjerl wrote:

Bob, if you had these three as prints and I was handed one I wouldn't complain no matter which one I got. If I have to rank them by preference it would be 1 3 2. But don't hold me to it, tomorrow it may be different depending on how I feel. They are all extremely good and differences are so subtle I am not even 100% sure I really see any worth mentioning.

Thanks Jerry. I suppose if I had left the images at 100% of applied effect, there would have been more differences to choose from. But that's not me.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Sylvias wrote:

#3 for me Bob, a very beautiful shot. :thumbup: :-)

Thanks Sylvia. I'm sure the folks at Topaz are very happy to read your comments. As am I.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Bob Yankle wrote:

Please realize that when I apply a filter to my ph... (show quote)

I really like the third shot the best. I'm a big fan of "glow" for flowers. Tack sharp is a wonderful thing sometimes; but it can take away from the subtlety of a composition. Not only do I like these; but you have inspired me to do something with the big old Poinsettia that I bought to shoot my Christmas cards shot with my dog. Now I'm going to try to be a bit creative with the plant by itself. I'll post my results later today when I have them finished. Thanks for the inspiration. Oh, I love them all. Very pretty flower and very nice execution.
:thumbup: :thumbup:

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

I like #3 the best!

jwt Loc: Texas Hill Country

Really beautiful set Bob, good no ya mate! :thumbup:

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

ebrunner wrote:

I really like the third shot the best. I'm a big f... (show quote)

Thanks Erich. Do you have Topaz Glow (or the free trial)? If you can get you dog to pose near your Poinsettia, you have the makings of a very nice composition.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

rlaugh wrote:

I like #3 the best!

Thanks Bob. Oh the folks at Topaz Labs must have planned their launch date of Glow with meticulous care when they released it just before Christmas. They're going to love you.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

jwt wrote:

Really beautiful set Bob, good no ya mate! :thumbup:

Thanks Jim. The idea to produce this as a before and after set comes from experience .... each time I have started a topic about some new filter or other, folks say "I wish I could have seen the original for comparison.", or "How does it compare to the other filter that does the same thing?". I thought I'd get ahead of them this time.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

The photo below has no filters applied, but seemed appropriate for the season. It, too, would have made a beautiful cover for a Christmas card. Merry Christmas everyone.

dsmith5816 Loc: Live Oak, Florida

I like #2 because to me the green leaves and berries really pop. All are great however processing a photo with any of the wonderful software available today adds to the beautiful work of our modern cameras.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Another vote for number three. Best detail and best color, in my estimation. From playing around with both, I like Glow better--it's far more adjustable and much easier to use than Fractalius. Faster, too.

Have you looked at Akvis Neon yet? Looks comparable to both of these, and closer to Glow in adjustability.

But great idea to post a comparison, and thanks for doing so.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

dsmith5816 wrote:

I like #2 because to me the green leaves and berries really pop. All are great however processing a photo with any of the wonderful software available today adds to the beautiful work of our modern cameras.

Aha! Finally, a Friend of Fractalius! Thanks dsmith, it's my favorite too. Count me as "old school" but I've been using Fractalius for so long that it comes as second nature to me to call upon it when processing flowers. That being said, Glow is a close second.