Enhancing Images Using Topaz Lab Filters + Giveaway

Just like many of you, I too have lots of images that I am not very happy with. I no longer take a lot of photos simply because I prefer to enjoy time with family and friends rather than focusing on taking pictures. Actually, most of the time I don’t even carry a camera with me. So, as a result of taking very few photos for myself to remind me of places I have visited, and taking average snapshots that do not require a lot of time, I haven’t shared them with you. Most of them were taken with a 55-200mm or even 300mm zoom lens from a distance during not-so-perfect weather conditions, and captured in a lot of haze and fog. Most of these photos were never intended to share so therefore,  I never took the time to edit them. Well, I never  edited or shared them until now and I am showing them now because I discovered the power of Topaz Lab filters! You have already seen how brilliant Topaz filters are on images I like here and here and now let’s see what it does to average snapshots!

First of all, Topaz Lab filters are meant for Photoshop users as they are a Photoshop plug-in that cannot work as independent software.  So, if you are a Photoshop users who is looking to take their photos to the next level, this post is for you. Besides Photoshop users, Lightroom, Aperture and iPhoto users can use this plug-in without Photoshop if they first install the free Topaz Fusion Express 

I am so thrilled with the results from Topaz Lab filters that I decided to share it with you. Furthermore, thanks to Topaz Labs, TWO of you will have an opportunity for a free Topaz Lab filter of your choice! so please keep reading…

Topaz Lab Filters:  Black and White Effects Filter + Adjust Filter

One of the Topaz Lab filters I love the best is  Topaz Black and White Effects.  I especially like to use it in combination with the Adjust filter. The Black and White Effects filter  brought to life a few images of mine that I did not expect to ever like and now I love them! I learned that I tend to apply the Adjust  filter first which gives the photo more of an HDR look and then I  touch it up  with the Black and White filter. For this post, I worked with a very average, straight out of camera (SOOC), images and I did not use Photoshop tools other than Topaz Filer plug-ins.

For this image I took in Venice, I applied a few different filters (shown after edited photos) and then I wondered what it would look like if I converted it to black and white using the Black and White filter. What I really like about Topaz filters is that you can adjust each individual setting even if you use presets and create a truly unique image. Another great thing about Topaz filters, including the Black and White Effects filter, is that they allow you to completely edit the photo in Topaz plug-in including curves, sharpening, dodging and burning. That’s why I did not have to use any Photoshop tool outside the Topaz menu.

The photo below is actually edited with the Black and White Effect filter but the transparency was decreased to 80% which gave this photo a more desaturated look.

The photo below gives you a good idea of what Adjust filter can do. I did not use the Adjust filter to its full capacity to create more of an HDR look, but just to enhance the detail and colors. After I was done with the Adjust filter, I started working on a black and white image that you saw at the top of the post.

Here are the steps I actually took to get the result. I started with the SOOC photo that was nothing special and applied the Deep Blue Sky preset which is actually part of the Detail filter  and adjusts your colors beautifully. Then I played with the Adjust filter which quickly became one of my go-to-filters. The last step before opening the Black and White Effects filter was to apply the warmth effect that is part of the Lens Effect filter.

If you are interested in winning the Black and White Effect filter, make sure you mention that in your comment. Black and white filter offers a great contrast control and a number of wonderful presets. For those of you who wonder how to run Topaz Filters within Photoshop, it’s very simple! Once you download it to your computer (PC or MAC), it will show up in your filters menu.

Opening Topaz Lab Filters in Photoshop

Since I am mostly focused on the black and white filter in this post, here’s more info on that one. Once you open the black and white effects filter, you have a full control over the way your image looks. As you can see below, the filter’s dashboard/ menu is well-organized and effective. On the right, it has three steps that you can fully customize:

1. Conversion which includes basic tools for black and white conversion (exposure adjustments, contrast and tone sensitivity).
2. Creative Effects include stylized tools including realistic, graphic and artistic effects.
3. Local Adjustments allow you to selectively apply image adjustments using an advanced brush. Adjustments include burning, dodging and smoothing. Plus selective color and selective detail.
4. Finishing Touches is the last group (step) and include toning, grain, borders, vignettes and more. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

[two_third]On the left side, Black and White Effects filter has effects menu and depending on which effect you select, its presets will show below it. Once again, you will be able to customize each preset and effect to get those truly unique results. If you just prefer to trust Topaz, you can simply select one of the presets and effects and I promise you will like results.

Here’s another photo that I believe was saved by Topaz Lab Filters. This is a snapshot I took in New Orleans, Louisiana. I think I took a total of three photos there because it was so hot and humid that all I wanted was to sit down in one of those lovely New Orleans’ cafés under a fan and drink ice cold water.

By using Topaz Adjust and later Topaz Black and White Effects filters, I was able to bring out the detail in the sky, increase contrast, and overall add more visual interest. With the Adjust filter I didn’t even have to merge three images with different exposures to get an HDR look.  The Adjust filter with its presets, effects, and settings took care of everything. How great is that?  [/two_third]

Another place where I haven’t taken many shots is Switzerland. Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve been to and yet I took only a few shots there. Switzerland was the last country we visited during our road trip and I had bad luck with back spasms acting up during our stay there.  So, as a result, I had very few photos of Switzerland that were stashed, and forgotten about,  in a random folder on my computer. Until Topaz filters that is!

These two photos were taken with a zoom lens from a distance and were not very good but I decided to give Topaz a try. Topaz Black and White Effects filter together with the Lens Effects filter helped me to create stunning images basically out of nothing. Now I am thinking of framing these two photos.

You can see that for this photo taken in the Swiss Alps, I had a total of four layers to which I applied different Topaz filters. Deep Blue Sky which is a part of Detail filter made those amazing blues really stand out. Then DeNoise filter increased the photo quality by recovering the detail and restoring edges and lines that were lost in haze and fog. After that I used the Adjust filter to correct and balance exposure, shadows, highlights, and enhance details. The last layer was the Black and White filter where I converted the image to black and white and sharpened it.

Swiss Alps Before Topaz Lab Filters

Topaz Lens Effect Interface

The step you cannot see in the photo above is the last step I took; the one after I applied the black and white filter. Since the photo was taken in a foggy weather, I decided to open the Lens Effects filter and apply the fog effect to the top the image to make it more authentic.

My conclusion? Any action or preset you get for Photoshop will have a hard time beating Topaz filters. As I said, with Topaz filters you get not only professional presets and effects but also a very powerful tool that lets you fully customize those preset actions in a very easy and user-friendly way. Although the Topaz Lab filters’ interface is very user-friendly and organized, it is probably the only thing I would like to see improved in the future when it comes to Topaz. I just believe there is some room for pure cosmetic design improvements that would make Topaz more visually appealing. {Maybe I feel this way because the interface is so dark and I prefer lighter colors} However, the fact that the interface is dark and simple does not affect its productivity or quality. Topaz is a high quality plug-in that will enhance your images beyond your expectations.

Finally, I really enjoy using Topaz filters and I made sure that you get an opportunity to try them too – two lucky readers will get a fully functional version of a filter of their choice and everyone else can  download a free 30-day trial. Make sure you let Topaz Lab know how much you appreciate this opportunity by connecting with them on Facebook!

Now, the giveaway rules!

After I finished writing this post I realized this is a pretty long so I decided to break it into two parts.  The second part will be posted later this week. You will have an opportunity to enter the giveaway all week long as I will close the giveaway after I publish the second [part of this] post.  Pick one of the packages below and let me know which one would you like to win in your giveaway entry comment that you will leave under this post. Complete giveaway rules are below. Please make sure you follow them. Also, each image will take you to the Topaz Lab filter’s website where you will be able to learn more about the product.

The giveaway rules are very simple:

1. You need to be a blogger and you need to share info about the giveaway on your blog. You are welcome to use the button below too.

2. After you blog about it, please come back here and leave a comment with a link to your post where you mentioned the Topaz Lab giveaway and enter the giveaway by leaving that comment.

3. If you are really excited about this giveaway you can Tweet or Facebook this post using social media icons under this post and leave a second comment which will be your second entry. However, if you do not blog about this giveaway (the first comment), you will not be eligible for this giveaway.

I will pick two random winners at the end of this giveaway! Please, enter the giveaway under this post.

Mira Crisp

Hello! My name is Mira and I take pictures, blog, and drink espresso! As a portrait photographer I take pretty pictures in Ft. Walton Beach - Crestview - Destin, Fl. area. I blog mainly about photography and image enhancement and I am enjoying it a lot. I'd love to hear from you, so please feel very welcome to leave a comment or two.

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