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Because I expressed an interest in onOne software, they generously provided me with a licence for their Perfect Effects 8 plug-in. I like plug-in because they can achieve dramatic effects with very little effort but it does take some restraint on the part of the user because these preset filters can push an image over a cliff from which there is no return. I shot this image after a rain storm under a very cloudy sky and in deep shade, being on the north side of the house. Though I was able to get an acceptable rendering with LR5, I thought it needed a little boost. I think the photo could use a little dodging and burning but I didn’t do it here just to show what PE8 can do on its own.
Perfect Effects 8 allows filters to be stacked upon each other and both layer opacity and blending are variable. These functions allow for an almost unlimited number of effects you can achieve when used with the presets. There are a lot of presets to choose from, as well. I’ve only tried a few of the presets and they work well. There are a lot of presets I’m not interested in but there are quite a few that I think are valuable, providing effects that would be difficult to achieve otherwise, especially if you want a more dramatic look to a particular photo. We have a lot of overcast skies in Webster (Where Life is Worth Living) which can give some photos dreary look. Perfect Effects excels at punching up photos without adding noise or halos that I find distracting. If there is a downside to PE8 it’s that it draws a lot of your computers resources and if your’s is like mine (old and in need or replacing) you may find it slow and tedious to use. PE8 works with Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, Aperture and as a standalone application.
I would recommend PE8 for anyone who is looking for plug-ins to enhance photos easily. I don’t know how much it costs but for a limited time you can purchase the onOne Suite of plug-ins at a discount here. Looks like a good deal if you’re in the market. I’ve always wondered how well the Resize plug-in works. Maybe…
Here is what the unedited version of the Hosta leaves looks like;
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2clicksaway 