*Topaz Impression 2, a major upgrade to a radical digital painting conversion program. w/ @topazlabs

ImpressionFullblog

Summer is upon us, and so too are the deals and updates showering us with their bounty.  If you’ve been around for a little while, you may have seen my article written after getting to beta the original Topaz Impression.  (spoiler: I loved it).  Now, Topaz has released Impression 2 with new tools and filters, and get this, it’s free for those of us who bought the original Impression.  If you’ve not yet updated, or you’d like to give it a free trial, you can go directly to Topaz Labs Website HERE.  If you’d like to buy it, use this link, and input “2IMPRESS” at checkout to get the normally priced $99 program for 40% off ($59.99!).

If you’d like to see more from me, and read more about why I love Impression, c’mon in…

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*Topaz ReStyle, your image, your vision, restyled and on sale!

topaz restyle

Topaz ReStyle is a unique plugin, and I’ll be honest, when first announced a year and a half ago or so, I saw it as kind of kitschy.  With an image opened in ReStyle, you’re presented with a ton of re-toning filters which take the existing tones throughout your image, and shift them to produce some very cool effects.  While some were not a great fit for a particular image, I found it kind of tough to really know how to search through the multitude of available tone shifting filters.  I liked it, but when originally reviewing it, I don’t think I paid enough attention to the power of the adjustments.  This time around, I’m finding it a much more useful plugin.  It’s on sale, and you can download a full free trial to follow along by going HERE.  For those merely looking for a discount code, use “FEBRESTYLE” and go to TopazLabs HERE to download the software, and input the code in the coupon field at checkout to get $20 off.  Normally $59.99, it is on sale through the end of the month for $39.99.

For those interested in seeing a bit more, and reading about why I’m enjoying it more this time around, come on in…

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*Alien Skin Exposure 7. The best gets better, now with a TRP discount code.

 

exposure 7

What can one add when it’s all been said before, other than to perhaps reiterate how much they enjoy a perfect harmony of fashion, function and execution.

I’ve been a long time user of Alien Skin’s Exposure software.  Of all the film simulation programs I’ve used, none has suited me, my style or my workflow better than Exposure has.  Whenever I shoot events, or any personal project series, it has always been my go to program for a replicated filter allowing me to quickly and easily tailor fit and create a variety of final looks. I really benefit from being able to take one particular film preset and adjust the same filter to allow me to quickly get a consistent color profile while accounting for little exposure tweaks for different lighting or the like.

Having purchased and personally used Exposure from version 3, and recently beta testing the last couple, I have also been invited into the Alien Skin family which enables me to offer a personalized discount code along with gaining a sales commission for any referenced sale.  While I have long shilled for Alien Skin from my own personal place of use and enjoyment, I now get to sell out a little bit, but with good conscience, because trust me when I say that even if I didn’t make a small commission for sales of this software I’d still be reviewing and talking up this brilliant program just as I have multiple times over the years. If you’re interested in trying it out, upgrading or purchasing Exposure 7, Click HERE to download Exposure via Alien Skin’s website (use code “tysonrobichaud” in the coupon code field to get 10% off any and all Alien Skin Software at checkout).

Come in to hear my thoughts, and see what’s new in Exposure 7.

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*Alien Skin Exposure 6, now available!

P1050201 Alien Skin is a company focused on producing very high end and useful software plugins.  Two of my favorites from Alien Skin have always been Exposure for the remarkable film emulation filters, and Bokeh for the focus control.  Now, Alien Skin has chosen to merge both of these into one super plugin in Exposure 6. Continue reading

*Topaz – Simplify 4, quick and easy digital painting filters with a click!

simplifyblog

Topaz continues to improve they’re line of valuable plugins with the new release of Simplify 4.  Currently on sale through the end of this month for $19.99 (50% off!) when using the code “febsimplify” during checkout, Simplify 4 provides a quick, easy and very controllable plugin for a variety of painting and line drawing effects.  You can see it on Topazlabs.com HERE, or come on in to see a screen shot and read my ramblings on why I think this is a pretty amazing plugin for $20.

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*Alien Skin Exposure 5, the best keeps getting better.

Exposure 5

There are quite a few film emulation plugins to choose from.  Looking at the sheer multitude of cross processed filters or “film” replications on offer from different plugins can be daunting.  To me, the difference is in the details, and none does a better job in my opinion than Alien Skin’s Exposure has.  When choosing a plugin, the biggest and most important features lie mainly in interface, tools available and when discussing a film replication, the actual grain structure and implementation is key.  Like past Exposure releases, Exposure 5 gives you a full library of Black and White as well as Color film filters.  Many plugins emulate a similar result, but none has paid as much attention to detail, grain reproduction and fidelity as Alien Skin Exposure 5 has, to my eye.  With Exposure 5, the new release adds a new user interface and some sweet new controls.  Read on for some of the details…

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*Tiffen Dfx 3, one plugin to rule them all?

There are no shortages of plugins to help photographers and digital artists streamline their workflow and help fine tune their look. Tiffen Dfx-3 offers an amazing amount of digital filters and user manipulatable options in one plugin. Is it useful to have this many options in one plugin, or is it too much? Well, depending on your needs and budget, this may be the only photoshop plugin you’d ever require. Read on for examples and my tip of the iceberg review on this amazingly filter packed plugin…

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