It’s day 8 and I’m still having fun learning and experimenting with the simplify program. As I shoot all of my images in RAW I first convert them in Lightroom then transfer them over to PSE to finish. Topaz is a plug-in that works with Photoshop CS3-CS6 (32-bit and 64-bit), Photoshop Elements 6-11, PaintShop Pro, Photo Impact and Serif Photo Plus; Windows and Mac. It will work with Lightroom but you have to have some additional programs to make it compatible.
When in PSE in order to open Topaz I go up to my filter tab, click on it, and there it is. It then opens the image in another window where the artistic fun begins. The purpose of Simplify is to turn any image into a work of art. These works include styles such as oil paintings, water colors, sketches and cartoon line drawings to name a few. In this case I used one of the effects (one of the most popular ones) called BuzSim to transform this country road image to a soft fall painted one.
The program is very easy to use (the tutorials are good to give you some guidelines before you head off on your own) and one feature that I love about it involves the adjustment sliders. When you hover over any of the sliders it tells you what it does. So if you are like me and still learning the program or if the purpose of the slider slips your mind (we all have days like that) it will tell you what it does. Great! So far one thing I wish it had (maybe it does and I haven’t found it yet) is the ability to further “paint” your images with brush strokes that are more visible like on a real oil painting.
So what do you think of this artistic effect? Would you have done anything differently?
(more effects and images coming as I continue exploring and experimenting with this program)
Images by T.Dashfield Photography 
great 🙂 i must try it
30 day free trials of all their products on their webpage http://www.topazlabs.com 🙂
Okay…before I started reading, I scrolled down and looked at the photographs. I thought, “That second one looks like a painting! Magical!” So…I’d have to say that effect seems to be working perfectly in my book!! So glad you’re having fun exploring this program. I’m so glad we get to see the results of your efforts!! 🙂 –Lisa
Thank you. I love learning and playing around with new programs.
I think Lisa’s used of the term “magical” is a good word. I looked at it and thought that this is what would go on the location’s brochure to attract visitors. It looks great.
Thank you, I can just see the brochure now 🙂
That second photo does look more like a painting….pretty cool. I must admit I feel so antiquated after reading that first paragraph. No, no, no…. not like an antique but more like a kindergartener still learning to color within the lines……JPEG and Picasa; need I say more 😉
The journey of a thousand pixels starts with….you get the point and you will grow as far as you wish to. I will be happy to assist if you wish 🙂
I love Topaz too Teri & have a creative weekend my friend :~} Valz ♥
Thank you and I just know your weekend will be creative too! I’m anxious to try their other programs now 🙂
Wonderful! Kind regards from Austria
Thank you from the Midwest of the United States 🙂
Beautiful!!
It is a fun program 🙂