Topaz Adjust is cool! In short, it is a very simple, elegant, and easy to use product that allows you to achieve HDR-like results from a single image. I use it a lot, both as a product by itself, and as a finishing touch after my normal HDR process.
If you choose to order it from the Topaz Website (immediate download for the impatient!). At checkout, use the coupon code “STUCKINCUSTOMS” to save money as usual. I recommend you get the full Photoshop Bundle, because it comes with all their products and it is a tremendous deal. I use many of their products and even have a Topaz Detail review here on the site as well. My contact there, Eric Yang, said he can be contacted at any time if you have problems with the software — they seem like a great company!
I’ve heard from a few different photography friends that I should really try this thing, and I am glad I did. It’s really a wonderful product and I could not recommend it any more. I told the guys at Topaz that I was going to give this a positive review, and I only recommend software that I actually use.
Okay, now, on with the review! As you know, my reviews are usually short and sweet and I let the results speak for themselves. I’ll get started with a few photos where I used Topaz Adjust.
So, Topaz Adjust is a Photoshop plugin that produces HDR-like results from a single image.
Once you have your image up in photoshop, selecting the plugin will open up a very friendly window that could not be any more simple. The Topaz team has created an amazing simple (and fun!) UI.
Over on the left, there are dozens of presets. Normally, I hate presets and I can never find a single one to meet my needs. However, there is such a nice variety that you can get a cool first adjustment. Something that is very smart about these previews is that they show little thumbnails. Clicking on one of them quickly shows the larger version on the right. VERY quickly. I’m used to having plugin options churn away forever just to get a preview. It’s not like that with Topaz; it’s almost immediate!
After you choose one of the presets from the left, you can then make a bunch of micro-adjustments with the sliders on the bottom. There are so many things you can do… it is simply amazing. The names are strange because the effects are strange. Much like other tools, I recommend you play with them a lot to get familiar with them. I don’t plan on talking about each feature… but for example, the “Boost” slider seems to really pump up the “HDR” effect.
Below, I have put a lot of pics from the tool so you get an idea of what I mean. Also, you can see the “before” shot of the 57 Chevy before I ran it through Topaz Adjust. I used the “Spicify” filter, which is really a bit too extreme, so I dialed down everything a bit. I believe that every image is different, and you should use Topaz differently with each image.
In the last one, you will see that I am using the built-in Noise Reduction. If you also have Topaz DeNoise, you can check that box and it will use those improved algorithms. I think both are good together, and that is why I recommended the full bundle up above with the link. Besides, the bundle comes with Topaz Simplify, which is another plugin that lets you do some painterly things to your photos.
In sum, I think it’s a wonderful product. I’m happy to use it. I’ll continue using it… and I look forward to what is coming next from these guys!
Any questions about the nature of these reviews? Visit my Ethics Statement. It’s all quite simple!
April 29th, 2009 00:14 | A Topaz Adjust Review - and the ‘57 Chevy «
[...] a wonderful new piece of software! It’s called Topaz Adjust and I’ve written a full Topaz Adjust Review here on the site. People send me software all the time to review, but I only end up reviewing stuff [...]
April 29th, 2009 00:21 | Scotty Graham
Trey….thanks for this….I will check it out.
Scotty
April 29th, 2009 00:31 | david
trey…nice review and introduction. i will definitely look at it based on your use and review.
david
April 29th, 2009 00:37 | Mark
Crap! I just bought it 2 days ago. I could have saved a few bucks. Topaz adjust rocks, I’m having a blast giving life to some old images.
Mark
April 29th, 2009 00:42 | Stuck In Customs
Cool great!
Sorry about that Mark… I guess I was too slow in the review! But you are right… since it only requires 1 image, you can go back and re-process some of your older stuff.
April 29th, 2009 00:51 | ecstaticist
Good review, Trey. I have been using it for some time. Here’s a link to all my stuff on flickr tagged with “topaz”:
http://ow.ly/4lgv
evan aka ecstaticist
April 29th, 2009 00:55 | Zsolt
Thanks for introducing me to this nice software package. You might want to include a link to their site, I had to google them
April 29th, 2009 01:04 | Jeff Kennedy
Sounds cool. I recently bought Photo Whiz Contrast Master and it seems to work well. I’d be curious to see you compare the two. This sounds like it might have a better UI and I definitely like the sound of the noise reducer. Have you checked out Contrast Master yet?
April 29th, 2009 01:07 | Steve Davis
Looked cool enough before the Topazing. And the background shadows on the left side look way too over-processed. I think I’ll avoid this software for now. The rest of the image looks cool though. Not as good as an HDR, but better than nothing when you only have one image.
April 29th, 2009 01:40 | Understanding White Balance » A Topaz Adjust Review - and the ‘57 Chevy
[...] of software! It’s a Photoshop plugin called Topaz Adjust and I’ve written a full Topaz Adjust Review here on the site. People send me software all the time to review, but I only end up reviewing stuff [...]
April 29th, 2009 04:35 | Neil Howard
Nice review Trey.
As I told you, I use it on my 3 exposure HDR’s as a final “tweak”.
Basically I make a new layer, then do HORRIBLY extreme things to it, then bring down the opacity to “mix” it with the finished HDR, so the effects are very subtle. I think it is great for that! Like this one (for people who read this comment & not the one on the main page) http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilsingapore/3473690811/
And DRAT for me too, I only bought it a couple of weeks ago, after trialling it
April 29th, 2009 05:20 | kiwi
i knew it, i knew when you said you were going to review a product that it might be topaz, i had let the trial version expire a year ago and revisited it last week, i saw that there were discount codes available but couldnt find one, i knew you sometimes have codes for products, and low and behold here it is, thanks im 10% richer. i have found it to be a great plug in for single frame portraits.
April 29th, 2009 05:36 | Phil Scott
It is a great too l Trey. I have been using it for about 4 months and when an image just needs something special to make it pop Topaz Adjust can be just the thing. It may be worth mentioning, especially for anyone getting started in Photoshop, that duplicating the background layer before using it (CTL/CMD+J) and then using it on the new layer allows adjusting the opacity of that layer and lets you ‘dial up/down’ the effect.
April 29th, 2009 09:40 | JB
So to all of you who are using Topaz, where do you think it ranks compared to Lucis Pro? It looks pretty similar.
April 29th, 2009 09:46 | Stuck In Customs
Zsolt – sorry about that – I added a link to their site.
Jeff – no I have not tried that product yet… I’ll get it in my queue!
Steve – Thanks for the feedback. I cranked this one up a little bit to show what Topaz can do… but I tend to agree with your assessment
Neil – That seems like a good final step… I do the same thing sometimes.
Phil – Yes exactly right. I always dupe the layer too… I was gonna mention that, but I didn’t want to get too tutorially!
April 29th, 2009 09:51 | Tim Thompson
It’s nice to see an expert like you praise this product. I found it a couple of months ago (got in on a deal that gave Adjust free with the purchase of Denoise) and it has been a fun tool to explore. It can take what was a bit of a bland photo and open it up to new possibilities without having to spend hours in Photoshop. It has been great to go through older files that disappointed a bit and find a great picture there after all.
In addition to the extreme HDR effects you can achieve, it is also a great tool for just getting contrast and/or color pop.
The noise reduction tool (Denoise) is a great product as well. I took some shots at the beach a couple of years ago with the camera still on ISO 800. Hard light make for terrible noise but Denoise did a great job of rescuing them.
I haven’t sprung for Simplify so I would appreciate a bit of a review of that one from you if you could.
Thanks again. It’s nice to have confirmation of something I’ve begun to use a lot.
April 29th, 2009 10:35 | Richard Uchytil
COOL! I’m going to go check that software out. Great photos and excellent results. I’ve been able to get some similar results with Photoshop’s Camera RAW on a single JPG image. But then I tried HDR Max and my images really came alive. I was thinking of buying that, but I’ll check this out first. Thanks!
April 29th, 2009 11:15 | Linda S King
I downloaded the package and gave it a whirl. As a test, I processed a bird picture I’d done just a few days ago and compared them. Topaz won, hands down. This package really does make post-processing much faster and easier. Gee, I guess I’ll have to scrape up the money somehow and buy it (the price is reasonable, but I’ve been unemployed for almost four months!). –Fenraven
April 29th, 2009 11:47 | Stuck In Customs
Fenraven – Glad you like it! Sorry the unemployment continues! Best of luck though…. I think there are always cool things out there that we want but can barely afford whether or not employment exists!
April 29th, 2009 12:46 | Kevin Rank
I agree with you about Topaz Adjust. I have been using it for several months now, and I love it. It adds pop, and grittiness to some pictures.
April 29th, 2009 13:45 | dan leitch
hi trey,
could you tell me whether you think this is as good as photomatix pro as i am debating which bit of software to buy so i can start making my own HDRs. Currently messing with the PM Pro trial and am very impressed by it
thanks, dan
April 29th, 2009 14:10 | Stuck In Customs
If you can only pick ONE, I still say Photomatix. However, I do use both quite a bit. Topaz can be used to add some pop back in after Photomatix.
There are occasions when you do only have one shot and it just won’t convert very well with Photomatix… in those cases, you can Topaz it!
April 29th, 2009 14:39 | Samantha
I have used Photomatix before, and I find that using Topaz on single image can produce just as stunning results as an HDR! I think the key with Topaz is to fade it as you see fit with your image. I use Topaz to varying degrees depending on the quality, size, and composition of my image. Sometimes I like to play with old scanned photos in Photoshop. In that case, I generally avoid Topaz or do it lightly, because it brings out the imperfections in the quality.
Great work with the software though – you only just got it and you already seemed to have it mastered – I originally mistook these images for HDR!
April 30th, 2009 00:47 | Brian Eliel
Trey,
I have been using Topaz Adjust with some ACR shots and it can really make a bland image come alive.
Brian
April 30th, 2009 09:03 | Swackman
Trey,
I’ve been using a product called Dynamic Photo that also uses single raw or jpeg to do a pseudo-HDR effect, and am quite happy with it. Are you familiar with DP, and how do you feel it compares to Topaz?
Almost all of the shots here were done with DP and a sinbgle raw or jpeg..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swackman/sets/72157616278041470/show/
April 30th, 2009 18:24 | Horace Kwan
Great review Trey!! cool stuff
May 1st, 2009 23:10 | Shayan Sanyal
Trey – thanks so much – downloaded it today; played around with it for 20mn, bought it. Love it
May 4th, 2009 16:34 | Tommy Lynch
Hey Trey,
Thanks for the review, I am downloading it now……Ferrell McCollough also reccomended it, so I have to get it…..anyhow….great work…T
May 7th, 2009 01:06 | ©-YALE (YAnnick LEfevre)
i never use the Topaz software, Trey !!
Are you use often this technique when you make your HDR ?
May 19th, 2009 14:15 | Stuck In Customs
Thanks all.
I sometimes use Topaz to add some pop to the photos after HDRing…yes. Sometimes, I JUST Topaz – depends on the sitch!
May 22nd, 2009 13:07 | Linda S King
It’s summer, I don’t have to pay for heat…so I bought this software. I really, really like it. The noise reduction is the best I’ve used; it leaves me the details I want and gets rid of the noise I don’t. Thanks for the review. I’d never have known about Topaz if you hadn’t posted this. -Fenraven
May 22nd, 2009 17:20 | Stuck In Customs
Great to hear Fen!
June 16th, 2009 18:59 | William Day
Your web site is great. Where do I find the coupon?
June 29th, 2009 09:01 | Eugene Stevens
Based on your site, I went to an HDR class yesterday and I have purchased the software you recommended. Results of a couple of shots are here with the HDR following the jpg. Last photo was just a single shot instead of the 5 shot spread.
http://www.clarityphotos.com/Portolio/HDRClassWeb/index.html
Thanks for the tips and getting me into this type of photography.
August 3rd, 2009 21:48 | Lenny
Ken Rockwell mentioned how good your HDR images are and I have to agree. They are the best HDR photos I have seen ! I just read your review of Lucis Art Pro 6.0. I have all of the Topaz products and I really like them. You said in your review that the advantage of Lucis Art Pro is that you can adjust the color channels individually. Can the same thing be done using Topaz Adjust seperately on each channel ? One look at your photos and I was ready to buy Lucis Art Pro which I can’t really afford right now.
August 4th, 2009 00:27 | Stuck In Customs
Fantastic stuff – thanks so much yall…
Lenny – yes – you can do that – I’d keep experimenting – both are good.
August 13th, 2009 22:57 | Maurice Guerrieri
Hey Trey, i referred Ken Rockwell to your site
any tips on how to get past swiss guides with a tripod when going to shoot St Peters in hdr?
Kindest Regards
Maurice from Australia
August 14th, 2009 03:37 | Stuck In Customs
THanks Maurice – great of you to do that!
I don’t have many suggestions — swiss guards are tough!
August 16th, 2009 04:52 | Joe
Hi Trey, forgetting price for a moment I am having a real problem trying to fathom out the main differences between Topaz and Lucis Pro 6.00. Would I be right in saying one is fundamentally a more refined version of the other or has Lucis Pro actual cutting edge differences? Any feedback would be well appreciated as I intend to purchase asap. Thanks
August 22nd, 2009 22:51 | mikhailogrpahy
WEEE!
great!
thanks for the REVIEW!
September 15th, 2009 00:07 | Ian Leslie Harry
My first introduction to you and your photos was in the Complete Guide to HDR Photography book (which is excellent). From your website I found Stuck in Customs and your HDR Tutorial. Excellent sites and very useful. Next I saw your review on Noiseware. After deliberating over it and several other noise reduction programs, I purchased it. Excellent, again. Then, I saw your review of Topaz Adjust. Fantastic program. I find myself not only running all of my new HDR photos through it but I’ve been going back and running many of my previous photos through it. So, Trey, you are batting 1000% with me on every suggestion you’ve made. I have referred many of my photography friends to you and your websites. Thank you sincerely.
October 16th, 2009 20:53 | jason
have you tried topaz detail? awesome sharpening program!
October 17th, 2009 14:29 | Lilliane P
Another vote for Topaz Adjust. I personally prefer a somewhat subtle HDR look and Topaz does it perfectly. As mentioned above, I’m also having a ball redoing some of my older images. Try out their other plug-ins as well. Detail is awesome for the right image.
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November 11th, 2009 01:49 | momentsuntouched
If you had to choose between Topaz and Lucus Pro which would you find to be more useful? Also, would Topaz’s noise filter be an equal to or at least a close competitor to Noiseware?
November 11th, 2009 09:01 | Stuck In Customs
It is a good question! Well… I think Topaz is maybe a little better in terms of speed and quick flexibility. However, I still use both!
As for the Noise Reduction, I use the Topaz one while using Topaz. Otherwise, I still use Noiseware.
November 18th, 2009 00:02 | Trees and an Aircraft Carrier in the Fog
[...] Topaz Adjust Review [...]
November 18th, 2009 17:10 | Sledgy
To anyone not sure if topaz is worth it…..stop wondering. USE THIS PRODUCT. As simple as that. If you want your images to just have that something different over everyone else’s then you will NOT be disappointed.
November 22nd, 2009 12:16 | Argos | In the garden
[...] courtesy of Stuck in Customs, I found out about an interesting set of Photoshop / Lightroom / Aperture plugins by an outfit [...]
November 22nd, 2009 23:31 | article/site review « UNO Advanced Photography Blog
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December 3rd, 2009 06:38 | Topaz Adjust 3.2 like a hdr | C.T.Daniel
[...] is the very first time when i used topaz adjust plug-in for photoshop. This is a good review of topaz adjust, worth to take a [...]
December 21st, 2009 09:28 | Vicky
Trey, thanks a lot for the introduction of Topaz. It is really great tool for remaking, especially for the single shots. I was using pseudoHDR technique, when I had a single RAW, but with JPEGs I couldn’t do anything. Now my photos look really different, and I am having really fun with the processing cause the user interface is really SIMPLE. Again, thanks a lot!!!
December 28th, 2009 04:43 | Photo Tip: An initial peak at Topaz Adjust | Chobe Safari
[...] Review by Trey Ratcliff [...]
December 31st, 2009 11:39 | Mike May
I started doing HDR summer 2009. Your direction and advice has helped immensely. I am buying your book for the pleasure of enjoying your photography (and to return to you some value that your advice provides to me)
For Maurice G, we travelled to Italy this summer and were able to make HDR ready shots in St Peters using a Monopod. The photographer’s body becomes part of the tripod (hold your breath) – it’s not perfect but better than nothing. Got some great shots that i am looking forward to reprocessing using your methods.
M
January 5th, 2010 01:12 | Cartier in New York during the Holidays
[...] Topaz Adjust Review [...]
January 10th, 2010 18:09 | lxtwin
I have just purchased the Topaz suite. It is great an I am going to use it a lot.
January 16th, 2010 08:07 | #5: Experimenting with crazy post processing @ One Year Of Photos
[...] even more stunning. For this picture, I used something called Topac Adjust. Trey Ratcliff provides an introduction to the plugin on his site Stuck In Customs: Once you have your image up in photoshop, selecting the plugin will [...]
February 8th, 2010 12:55 | HDR images from Angkor Wat |
[...] pleasure. He is an expert and on his website I have found tutorial about Photomatix software and Topaz Adjust plug-in. Now Topaz company offers Topaz Fusion Express for Lightroom, Aperture and iPhoto. As I [...]
March 1st, 2010 00:02 | First Photo from New Zealand – The Glowing Icy Cave at the Glacier
[...] Topaz Adjust Review [...]
March 1st, 2010 11:54 | Joan Goddard
Trey,
I first learned of Topaz from Rick Sammon who gave a seminar for my photo club. I bought the bundle after using the free trial. My favorite is Detail 2 which also has some great presets, some not as extreme as those in Adjust. I didn’t get the upgrade yet. They sent me an email when they ugraded Detail. I guess it is forthcoming.
March 6th, 2010 00:02 | Japanese Badass Schoolgirl in Harajuku
[...] Topaz Adjust Review [...]