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Software Filters

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nik Color eFex Pro 2.0

We introduce readers to this great product in Chapter 1. The product [more info] contains dozens of powerful filters that create interesting artistic effects in addition to solving specific image problems.

Color eFex Pro 2.0 is an add-on to image editing applications that accept Adobe Photoshop plug-ins, so you'll need to have one of those products in addition to this one [compatibility chart].

Here are some of our favorite filters:

• White Neutralizer - A great choice when you want to clean up the whites in an image while maintaining strict control of the other colors in the shot. Example: Bridal portrait. You want warm skin tones, but pure whites in the wedding gown. The White Neutralizer is just the ticket.
• B/W Conversion: Tonal Enhancer - Gives lots of control over tonal range when converting a color image to black and white. Straight b/w conversion offers little tonal control, but with this filter, you can choose a contrast method, then use the color spectrum slider to control which colors get lightened and darkened. The Advanced tab lets you protect highlights and shadows from b/w conversion effects.
• Sunshine - Great for landscapes, seascapes, and other exterior shots, especially when there is sunshine behind the subject but not falling directly on it.
• Midnight - Adds a black glow around highlights that can often produce a cool special effect.

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nik Dfine 1.0

Dfine is a great tool for removing digital noise. It allows you to apply noise reduction to specific colors in an image. For example, you typically get the most digital noise in blues. Dfine allows you to select specific blues to soften, without touching other color values.

Dfine supports camera-specific profiles that tailor the filter's results to your camera [available profiles]. It also allows you to constrain noise reduction to specific areas of an image, not just the entire image.

Dfine 1.0 is an plug-in for Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, so you'll need to have one of those products in addition to this one.

[more info]

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NeatImage 5.0

(Noise reduction that competes with Dfine. Would someone care to review it?)

NeatImage is available both as a stand-alone application, and as an Adobe Photoshop plug-in. It costs less than Dfine 1.0, and offers camera-specific profiles that have been created by NeatImage customers and can be downloaded at no charge from the NeatImage web site.

[more info]

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This information is provided as a supplement to:

Spring into Digital Photography
by Joseph T. Jaynes & Rip Noël
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
ISBN: 0131853538

If you don't yet have your own copy of this popular book, you can buy it now. [Enjoy the PhotoGain.com preferred discount price & FREE domestic shipping!]

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