It’s a new month, November, and I am happy to announce that I am test driving a new photo software program – Topaz Simplify 4. Topaz has some wonderful photo programs that will let you do all manner of things with your images to achieve different artistic effects. I have noticed other bloggers who have used Topaz as well as Corel and their end results were just stunning. I just had to try it; suppressing the urge to just open the program and start playing around with the tabs without reading the assembly instructions. I did do this for an hour or so before stepping away and watching the tutorials.
So far I can say that the program isn’t difficult to use and the online tutorials are very helpful and understandable. What I have found that works for me is to have the tutorial open in one window while working on an image in another. That way I can listen to the instructions and work the tabs at the same time. I feel confident that with time and practice I will be able to create just the photo art I may have in my mind.
Here are two before and after images I’ve created. I used one of the oil painting presets on the first and one of the watercolor presets on the second. The differences between the before and after with both images are a bit subtle and soft; not big changes but it’s a good start. As I learn the program I will be posting more images and details about how things were created. (Since the first edition of this post I wasn’t as pleased with the after image of the lily pond so I gave it another try hence the third version of it. Practice practice practice.)
So what do you think? Do you/have you used Topaz (or some other program) and how has your experience been? If you have any tips please share.
(There has been no compensation for this post and I am currently using the 30day free trial offered at Topaz )
Images by T.Dashfield Photography 
I’ve not used Topaz before, so I’m intrigued by what results you’ll obtain. Between the two images, I like the coloration in the second (I assume “after”) leaves photo, although it looks like some detail is lost. In the second lily pads photo, the pads appear softer and somewhat cleaned up.but there’s a loss of image detail on the lotus flowers. For the right photos this effect may be a nice complement. Good luck with your experiments.
Like with any other photo technique (HDR, matte, etc.) not every image works with the technique but it’s fun to experiment until you get a handle on it. In this case there is loss of image detail because it is supposed to be mimicking the brush strokes of a painting which are never as detailed as what a camera can capture. Thanks for your input.
The only photo editing I do is putting my head (and Ashley’s) on other people’s bodies, so I don’t know about any programs, but it’s fun to see the differences between the images. I hope you have fun experimenting! I look forward to seeing your results here!! 🙂 –Lisa
I have to control my urge to rush in and go gonzo with creating. I want quality not quantity. But in the meantime it’s going to be fun learning 🙂
Looks like a fun program. I’m still an infant using Picasa…..ok, you can stop laughing now!
I would never ever laugh at you my friend. We all start somewhere and go forth from there 🙂 But seriously, this program is getting to be a lot of fun. And this is just one of their programs!
I’m looking forward to seeing all the new stuff!! 🙂
Thanks Ted! You know that you’re one of my inspirations for this! What program do you use again?
I start with Lightroom (I just upgraded to version 5.2), The other programs that I use are Corel Painter Essentials, Mediachance Dynamic Auto Painter and Photoshop Elements 11. I keep looking at other programs, but the budget only goes so far. 😉
I thought I recalled the Corel program! Thanks for the info and if you want to try out Topaz all of their programs have a 30day trial and are reasonably priced. But I understand budgeting!
Topaz? I’d not heard of it, though I did know a show g– … Never mind that.
I’ll be interested to see what you think of the software, Teri, and seeing what it can do.
John!!! LOL It is amazingly fun what it can do and this is just one of their programs I’m test driving. So far I’ve found some bits I really like, some I’m not so sure and some I have no idea why anyone would do that. But isn’t that what art is about? 🙂 More images coming…