Software reviews
DxOPureRawv1.0.12 › Mac, Windows › £79.99 › dxo.com
AFFINITY PHOTOv1.9.3 › £23.99 (normal price £48.99) › iPad £9.99 (normal price £19.99) › Mac, Windows › affinity.serif.com
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Enhanced
DXO HAS JUST launched PureRaw, joining the PhotoLab 4 and Nik editing software programs in its range. PureRaw takes your Raw files and gives them a seriously good tidy up, before importing them into your usual processing workflow. And the benefits are potentially huge. In PureRaw, you can tap into a huge bank of DxO camera and lens correction profiles, fixing distortion, chromatic aberrations and so on, if you download the correct profile. However, the real benefit is DeepPrime – a demosaicing and denoising feature found in PhotoLab 4. Compatible with a huge number of Raw formats (a notable exception is Raws from Fujifilm cameras with X-Trans sensors), DeepPrime takes a few minutes to work on each file, but the difference it can make is amazing. The effect is especially noticeable on older Raws shot at high ISOs. After DeepPrime, the file can be exported as a JPEG or DNG Raw, ready to enter your workflow. PureRaw is very easy to use, and while you might not need to apply it to every shot, it’s a compelling solution with a massive benefit, if you want your files looking their very best before you start editing. IMAGE The original image was shot by a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II with a 500mm lens at ISO 1600. In the top left, you can see the version processed in Photoshop (with default settings), while the same file put through PureRaw appears top right – both images shown at 300%. The DxO software vastly improves digital noise, without impacting on detail
AFFINITY PHOTO IS a powerful editing software, available as an outright purchase for Windows, Mac and iPad. It’s a very worthy alternative to Photoshop, integrating neatly with Designer and Publisher – software from the same stable. If you need to process images for posters, books, flyers or similar products, this is a great software to consider for a smoother workflow. It’s compatible with Photoshop PSD files, too. Affinity offers a wealth of tools, from Raw processing for the latest cameras, to essential editing functions, such as cloning, colour correction and tonal control. If you want to go further, selection skills and layers are also on offer. With more and more cameras featuring focus bracketing, you can let Affinity do the heavy lifting. Its focus merge feature means you don’t have to invest in a dedicated focus-stacking software. That also applies to the program’s panorama stitching, HDR merge and astrophotography stacking functionalities. With its rich range of features and user-friendly interface, Affinity is excellent to use. It’s currently on sale for £23.99 – that’s half price!
Zoner Photo Studio X build 317 › Windows only › $4.99 a month, $49.99 a year, $78 family plan › zoner.com
ZONER PHOTO STUDIO (ZPS) aims to save time, while still offering the full range of editing features you’d expect in a complete workflow software. ZPS helps you get organised from the outset, with keywording, batch renaming and auto sorting by date, place and keywords. You can add star ratings and colour labels in the catalogue, keeping track of thousands of images. This powerful software is capable of taking your imaging workflow to an entirely new level. The develop module enables non- destructive editing, plus there is a whole host of editing tools, such as a radial filter, layer and mask support. If you prefer, the software has automatic edits, boasting an impressive collection of downloadable preset packs. These include options for specific subjects, such as flowers and boudoir, while you can also find a number of seasonal packs. The basic licence for ZPS X costs $49.99 per year. This gives one person, on any number of computers, access to the software. A family plan upgrade is also available.
IMAGE Affinity Photo is fully endowed with image-editing tools for basic and advanced editing. The above image shows off its focus-stacking capabilities
“WITHMOREANDMORE CAMERAS FEATURINGFOCUS BRACKETING,YOUCAN LET AFFINITYDOTHE HEAVY LIFTINGWITH ITS FOCUS MERGE FEATURE”
IMAGE ZPS is a capable workflow software, from cataloguing using keywords, to conducting serious editing. There is the option to perform time-saving auto edits as well, helping you keep things simple. There’s a host of tools to enjoy
PortraitPro v21.4 › Windows and Mac › PortraitPro 21 £39.95, Studio 21 £69.95, Studio Max 21 £139.95 › anthropics.com
PORTRAITPRO IS A powerful and very versatile software for improving your people shots. For v21.4, the program has gained a clone tool, sky replacement skills, and brushes that improve lighting or simply create great effects. These new features arrive in addition to makeup tools, facial sculpting skills and skin smoothing. Importing a portrait (Raw or JPEG), you can let the software do the hard yards. It automatically detects faces and features, as well as gender. As you get to work, the interface shows before and after preview images, displaying effects as they appear. There’s an extensive library of presets – with one click, IMAGE Any image of a person can benefit from work in PortraitPro, whether that is changing eye shape, colour or touching up makeup. You can go much further and change face shape, too
give your subject bigger eyes, a smaller chin or smoother skin. You can also create your own presets. A history function lets you return to older versions, and you can apply effects manually. There’s no portrait you can’t fine- tune or radically change with this software. Depending on your needs, caution is advisable – some results look unrealistic. With the expressions feature, you can even put a smile on a glum model. As with every software, how far you go is your decision – and your subject’s. Three versions of PortriatPro 21 are available. The Studio and Max versions handle Raw files directly. The latter also boasts fully automatic batch processing. Anthropics also develop LandscapePro, PotraitPro Body and Smart Photo Editor. You can save 20%, if you order them at the same time as PortraitPro.
Issue 88 | Photography News 23
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