This is the beginning of what will become a more robust Topaz Detail Review. Use the Coupon Code “STUCKINCUSTOMS” to save money when ordering — you can do so from the Topaz Store page. It’s a very inexpensive product… now you have almost no excuse! 
I recommend you get the full Photoshop Bundle, because it comes with many great products for an amazing price.
Speaking of the other products, you may have already seen my Topaz Adjust Review, and I must say that both are very similar, although each one is different and cool!
Topaz Detail is a really great and fun program. These guys know how to make a slick UI that is intuitive, simple, and powerful. I enjoy the presets that do the following things:
- Sharpening – many of the presets really give nice line and shape to your image
- HDR – Although not technically HDR, it does indeed do some dodging and burning at the micro contrast level that is pretty cool!
Also, besides all of these cool presets, you can do amazing things with the sliders thereafter. I advise first getting used to the presets, and then tweak it out more with the sliders.
Below are some simple examples of the interface and what it can do… You can see down the left hand side there are a variety of presets. Changing those adjusts the thumbnail at the top. A double-click makes it happen big on the right. It is AMAZINGLY fast — not like some of those filters where you click and then go get a coffee!
Like the other Topaz products, this one has that secret element of “fun” — you will get a kick out of it!
I will post more later when I get some time!
Bad-Ass Japanese Schoolgirls – this uses the Desaturated Blush preset with some right-side tweaks
Here are some of the details — it helps to bring make the lines and sharpness pop quite a bit!
Any questions about the nature of these reviews? Visit my Ethics Statement. It’s all quite simple!
February 3rd, 2010 00:37 | The Gothic Study – The Private Library of William Randolph Hearst
[...] Topaz Detail Review [...]
February 3rd, 2010 02:37 | DARYL BUTCHER
Brings back memories of our tours of the castle with the RR owners club. Seems like I recall climbing forever up into the spires. Photo-ops galore. Took the different tours on various occasions. Photographers paradise.
Downloaded Detail 2 as soon as the e-mail notice arrived.
PS: Your 70-200mm review human figure numbers are still wrong. 15ft@70mm but only 45ft@200mm (not 150) is more like it.
February 4th, 2010 02:54 | Boris
Thank you for this review, I think, Topaz plugin(s) are worth all the money!
February 10th, 2010 04:33 | Chris Robinson
Do you think that it’s sharpening tools are better than the ones that come with topaz adjust? The UI deffinately looks alot better!, also on “Bad-Ass Japanese Schools Girls” I’m the pretty sure the one on the left is a guy lol
February 14th, 2010 02:13 | The Mysteries of the Boudoir
[...] Topaz Detail Review [...]