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How to Use the Film Grain Adjustment

How to use the Film Grain Adjustment

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Tutorial created Topaz Studio V1.0.9[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

What is the Film Grain Adjustment?

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]The Topaz Studio Film Grain Adjustment makes it completely effortless to to create a vintage effect on images. Digital photography has eliminated certain elements such as film grain, traditionally found in film photography. Add that traditional, nostalgic feel and interesting surface texture back into images. For many of you not familiar with film gain, I’ll give you a little bit of the history behind it.

What is Film Grain? Film grain is a random texture that is found on processed photography film due to small particles of metallic silver being present during processing. These particles developed from silver halide which received enough protons during the photography process.

Why add it? Adding film grain to digital photos will make images appear as if they were developed in a dark room. Film grain also works great in small amounts to remove the plastic look from subjects.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Free Download

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]The Film Grain Adjustment is available within Topaz Studio as a Free Adjustment. If you’d like to check out everything that is free within Topaz Studio, I suggest checking out our What’s Free article. If you’d like to follow along with the Film Grain Adjustment, you can click the links below to download Topaz Studio.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Windows” shape=”square” color=”primary” align=”center” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Ftopazlabs.com%2Ffilm-grain%2Fref%2F47%2F%3Fcampaign%3DFilmGrain_07%2F2017_Blog_FilmGrainPage|||”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Mac” shape=”square” color=”primary” align=”center” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Ftopazlabs.com%2Ffilm-grain%2Fref%2F47%2F%3Fcampaign%3DFilmGrain_07%2F2017_Blog_FilmGrainPage|||”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

What We Will Cover in This Tutorial

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]1. Basic Usage of the Film Grain Adjustment

2. How to Edit with the Film Grain Adjustment

3. Editing Skin with the Film Grain Adjustment[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Reading not your Thing? Watch the Full Tutorial!

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]If you’d like a more hands on approach to learning the Film Grain Adjustment, check out this short tutorial video. Hope you enjoy.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/F14ksoQw5iU”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

1. Basic Usage of the Film Grain Adjustment

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”57369″ img_size=”large” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The film Grain Adjustment features 3 sliders and 2 grain color options to allow complete control on how the film grain will affect your image. After applying the Film Grain Adjustment to your image, you will see a 3 slider panel pop up in the adjustments panel.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Breakdown of the Sliders

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The sliders and what they do:

1. Strength:
Easily add film grain with the Strength slider. Simply increase the value of the Strength slider and the image will become more grainy.

2. Size:
Choose the size of the grain with the Size slider. Increasing the value of the slider will create larger grain, while decreasing the value of the slider will create smaller grain.

3. Randomness:
Choose how uniform the grain is. Increasing the value of this slider will result in a more random pattern of grain, while decreasing the value of this slider will create a more uniform grain.

4. Noise Type:
The noise type toggle controls whether the grain added will be only gray (monochromatic) or will be colored. I typically use the grey grain for black and white images and the colored grain for colored images.

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Open Your Image

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”57087″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Before we get started, you’ll want to open an image. If this is your first time opening Topaz Studio, you’ll notice that there is a lot of empty fields. This is because you’ll need to open an image to get started! There is more than one way that you can open an image .

  1. Drag and drop an image from your computer into the program.
  2. Click Open (located in the Canvas) and navigate through your files. Select an image and click Open.
  3. Click Open in the menu bar. Select an image and click Open.
  4. Go to Menu > File > Open Image… and then select an image and click Open.
  5. Use your shortcut keys (such as Command O or Control O).

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Apply the Film Grain Adjustment to Your Image

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”57136″ img_size=”large” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]After you have successfully opened an image, you will want to apply the Film Grain Adjustment. This can be done one of two ways:

  1. Clicking Adjustments > Film Grain  from the top Menu Bar.
  2. Clicking More > Film Grain from the Adjustment tool bar located on the right-hand side of your workspace.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

2. Editing with Film Grain

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”57369″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]If you are planning on adding Film Grain to an image, I would suggest adding it towards the end of the workflow. If you add Film Grain at the bottom of your Adjustment stack, you may see other Adjustments like Precision Contrast (will make the grain stronger) or Reduce Noise (will remove the grain) impact the Film Grain Adjustment. After I added the Film Grain Adjustment, I increased the Size and Strength slider, as well as the randomizer (for a more natural effect) until I was satisfied. I chose to make this grain very visible to give it a really nostalgic feeling.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The Settings

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”57376″ img_size=”large” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Here are the settings I used for the Film Grain Adjustment. I would suggest using settings similar to this for very smooth images that you wish to add heavier film grain to.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

The Before and After:

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]I love how this turned out! Reminds me of some of the old photos I find when visiting my grandma.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”57138″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]

Before

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After

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3. Enhancing Skin with Film Grain

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]We will be editing the image of this woman below. Her skin looks flawless, but it looks a little too perfect to me. I would like to create a more natural effect. When I’m adding skin texture to colored image, I choose the colored film grain. It creates a much more natural effect.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”57119″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”57378″ img_size=”large” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]For the first part of this tutorial, I wanted to make sure you were familiar with the Film Grain Controls. For the next part, we will be doing a little bit more advanced effect that uses Topaz Studio’s Integrated Masking.

Built in Functionality. Topaz Studio has a lot of functionality that allows you to perfect how each adjustment affects your image. The functionality is built right into the header next to its name. You will find adjustment level masking, an opacity slider, 28 blending modes, and the ability to duplicate the adjustment![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Add Film Grain to Your Image

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”57154″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Again, I added the Film Grain Adjustment and increased the strength and size slightly, but really increased the Randomizer Slider to give a more natural skin texture.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The Settings

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”57379″ img_size=”large” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Here are the settings I used for the Film Grain Adjustment. Don’t forget to switch the toggle to colored grain![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Adjustment Level Masking

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”46805″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Next, I am going to slightly mask the highlights and shadows on our subject to create a more natural effect. I’m going to use the adjustment level masking to accomplish this task. To do so, just click on the adjustment level masking icon in the adjustment panel (shown on the left). After you have opened your masking panel, select the luminosity mask.

Not familiar with masking? If you aren’t very familiar with masking, I suggest you check out this masking tutorial over the Topaz Studio Masking here. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Using the Luminosity Mask

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”57127″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]I chose to use the Luminosity Mask because it is the most effective way to select a certain luminosity of an image (in our case the mid-tones) and create the most natural transition. The settings I used for this particular mask are shown to the left. Once you are satisfied with you mask, just click done![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Before and After

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Before

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After

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Don’t forget to Save Your Effect

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”46824″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”46825″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Save and Share Your Effects. If you end up really liking an effect, you can save it to quickly apply next time! You can either save the effect as a preset level (top icon) or global effect (bottom icon). Global presets allow you to share your creation with others by selecting ‘Yes’ in the Public field. Your effect will be shared to the entire Topaz Community instantly![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Gallery

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Saving the effect can be a great way to quickly apply the same setting to multiple images. I used The Black and White Adjustment and the Precision Contrast Adjustment to create more depth to these images before adding the Film Grain Adjustment. I shared this effect to the community of effects as Film Grain Tutorial. It contains a Precision Contrast Adjustment, a B&W Adjustment, and a Film Grain Adjustment with its parameters set to 0.00. Thanks for reading and hope you’ve gained a little more understanding of the usefulness of the Film Grain Adjustment![/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]

Before

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After

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Thanks for Reading!

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]That’s all I have for today!

We’ll be adding more tutorials and videos so be sure to give us a follow to learn more!

If you’d like to share your images with us, tag us on Instagram with @topazlabs and Twitter with @topazlabs. We’re also on Facebook and YouTube![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Free Download

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Windows” shape=”square” color=”primary” align=”center” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fopen_beta.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ftopazstudio_online_installer.exe|||”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_btn title=”Mac” shape=”square” color=”primary” align=”center” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fopen_beta.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ftopazstudio_online_installer.dmg|||”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_separator border_width=”3″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]

About Taylor L. Seaton

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”8720″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Taylor Seaton is a 2016 graduate from Angelo State University. While attending ASU, she obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design and an area of emphasis in Business Management and Marketing. She also played volleyball at the collegiate level. She is currently the Social Media Manager at Topaz Labs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_separator border_width=”3″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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How to Use Tone Curves

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Tutorial created with Topaz Studio V1.0.8[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Hi everyone! Today I’ll be going over the Tone Curves Adjustment in Topaz Studio. This Adjustment is very versatile and allows you to make technical corrections and artistic changes alike. I’ll be showing how you can achieve both styles today. It’s pretty amazing how a touch of this adjustment can dramatically change your image.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Overview of the Tone Curves Adjustment

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]In photo editing, a curve is a remapping of image tonality. Curves can affect the overall tonality of an image, or individual channels. Applying Tone Curves to all channels will affect the brightness, shadows, and contrast while applying Tone Curves to individual channels will affect the image color.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]

[caption id="attachment_55769" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Original[/caption] [caption id="attachment_55772" align="alignnone" width="1200"] After Tone Curves[/caption]

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What You’ll Need

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]This introductory level walkthrough is really easy to follow along with but you will need just a few things if you’d like to follow along with me:

1. Topaz Studio. You’ll need Topaz Studio on your computer if you’d like to follow along during this tutorial. It’s free to download and Tone Curves is always free to use.

2. An Image. Grab any image to follow along and try it out for yourself.

3. About 10 minutes. This beginner’s level tutorial will only take about 10 minutes to complete.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]Don’t have Topaz Studio? Topaz Studio is free to download! You can get it now by using the links below. If you need more information about Topaz Studio, check out this overview: Introducing Topaz Studio[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_text_separator title=”Download Topaz Studio” color=”custom” css_animation=”none” accent_color=”#7c7c7c”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner content_aligment=”center” animation_in_type=”transition.slideUpIn” animation_in_offset=”100″ animation_in_duration=”800″ animation_in_delay=”0″][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ alignment=”center”][ucaddon_uc_icon_hover_effect_button text=”Macintosh” icon=”fa fa-apple” link=”http://d2xkriaa67cpt4.cloudfront.net/topazstudio_online_installer.dmg” background_color=”#0f9af8″ uc_fonts_data=”JTdCJTdE”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ alignment=”center”][ucaddon_uc_icon_hover_effect_button text=”Windows” icon=”fa fa-windows” link=”http://d2xkriaa67cpt4.cloudfront.net/topazstudio_online_installer.exe” background_color=”#0f9af8″ uc_fonts_data=”JTdCJTdE”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”55776″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]

An open image in Topaz Studio, edited with 4 different Tone Curves Adjustments. The Effects Panel, Scopes Panel, and Workspace Panel are all minimized for this tutorial.

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Adjustment Overview

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”55778″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]The Tone Curves Adjustment looks a lot different than other Adjustments within Topaz Studio. Instead of sliders, the Tone Curves Adjustment features a grid and 4 different channels: All, Red, Green, and Blue.

The Channels and What They Do:

All: Technically manipulate and change aspects of the image’s exposure. Add contrast, increase shadows, and increase highlights.

Red: Increase Red or Cyan in an image.

Green: Increase Green or Magenta in an image.

Blue: Increase Blue or Yellow in an image.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Add the Tone Curves Adjustment

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]NOTE: We will not be using 1-click effects, the workspace, or the scopes panel. I have minimized these areas to make my canvas bigger. You can do this by clicking on the border edge arrow. To open them back up, click again.

There are a few different ways to add the Tone Curves Adjustment in Topaz Studio.

  1. Click the Tone Curves Adjustment icon in the Adjustment Buttons. All 10 free adjustments are located here.
  2. Click the More Button in the Adjustment Buttons to show a list for all Adjustments. Click Tone Curves Adjustment to add it to your Adjustment Stack.
  3. Go to Menu > Adjustment >Tone Curves Adjustment to add the Tone Curves Adjustment.

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Adjust RGB Tonality

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]Changing the RGB Channel will affect the lightness and darkness in an image.

Tip: Most people add an S-Curve. This is where one point is above the Curve Line and one point is below to create a subtle S Shape.

Try It: Use your mouse or stylus to click and drag points to change the Curve Line. You will see how your image and histogram change. You can add as few or as many points as you like to change your image. The shadows, highlights, and contrast will be affected when you update the RGB Channel.

 

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Before and After

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[caption id="attachment_55769" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Original[/caption] [caption id="attachment_55860" align="alignnone" width="1200"] After RGB Adjustment[/caption]

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Here you can see how a slight S Curve can affect the image contrast.

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Adjust the Red Channel

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]Changing the Red Channel will add Red when the points are above the Curve Line and Cyan when the points are below. If a point is above and one is below, you will start to notice a slight dual tone effect.

Try It: Use your mouse or stylus to click and drag points to change the Red Channel Curve Line. You will see how your image and histogram change. You can add as few or as many points as you like to change your image (while I prefer one point you may prefer more). Experiment with the Red Channel and see how your image is affected.

 

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Before and After

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[caption id="attachment_55769" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Original[/caption] [caption id="attachment_55970" align="alignnone" width="1200"] After Red Channel Adjustment[/caption]

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The Red Channel affects reds in an image.

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Adjust the Green Channel

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]Changing the Green Channel will add Green when the points are above the Curve Line and Magenta when the points are below. If a point is above and one is below, you will start to notice a slight dual tone effect.

Try It: Use your mouse or stylus to click and drag points to change the Green Channel Curve Line. You will see how your image and histogram change. You can add as few or as many points as you like to change your image. Experiment with the Green Channel and see how your image is affected. You may like to add green or to add magenta.

 

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Before and After

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[caption id="attachment_55769" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Original[/caption] [caption id="attachment_56003" align="alignnone" width="1200"] After Green Channel Adjustment[/caption]

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The Green Channel affects green in an image.

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Adjust the Blue Channel

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]Changing the Blue Channel will add Blue when the points are above the Curve Line and Yellow when the points are below. If a point is above and one is below, you will start to notice a slight dual tone effect.

Try It: Use your mouse or stylus to click and drag points to change the Blue Channel Curve Line. Experiment and see how your image is affected with more blue or more yellow.

 

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Before and After

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[caption id="attachment_55769" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Original[/caption] [caption id="attachment_56021" align="alignnone" width="1200"] After Blue Channel Adjustment[/caption]

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The Blue Channel affects blues in an image.

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Combine Tone Curves and Masking Tutorial

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That’s It!

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]From bold and colorful to subtle and realistic, that’s everything you can accomplish with the Tone Curves Adjustment in Topaz Studio and how you can do it! I hope you tried out a few new things today and learned a little about the endless possibilities within Topaz Studio.

We’ll also be adding more tutorials and videos so be sure to give us a follow to learn more!

If you’d like to share your images with us, tag us on Instagram with @topazlabs and Twitter with @topazlabs. We’re also on Facebook and YouTube![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]

About Jodi L. Robbins

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”8523″ img_size=”” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Jodi is currently the Art Director of Topaz Labs. She has been an artist and photographer for over 15 years, starting with black and white film photography and alternative processing. After completing her BFA in Studio Art from Southern Methodist University and her Masters in Photography from Savannah College of Art and Design, she worked in product photography for companies such as Heritage Auctions, Neiman Marcus, and the Dallas Cowboys.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Precision Contrast Adjustment vs. Topaz Clarity

Precision Contrast vs. Topaz Clarity

 

What is the Difference?

Are you trying to decide what is what and if you should buy or not? I had the same questions at first, too. This article weighs the pro and cons of each program, so you can decide what is best for your editing needs.

If you own Topaz Clarity and are trying to decide if you should invest in the Precision Contrast Adjustment, I would advise waiting. Unless you are just dying to have some new software to play with, the Topaz Clarity and Precision Contrast tools preform very similar functions. You may find Precision Contrast to be slightly redundant if you already own Topaz Clarity. We will continue to support our existing plugins. The updated functionality that Precision Contrast boasts will soon be implemented into Topaz Clarity.

While I do not suggest re-buying similar software, there are different things to take into consideration when deciding between them if you do not own either. If you are still curious about the differences or do not own either, please read on to make an informed purchase decision. Whichever you choose, I promise it will quickly become one of your go to programs.

Download and Try Them for Free

[vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]I can tell you all day about the pros and cons of each program, or you could try it out for yourself. We offer a 30 day free trial of all of our software. So you can stop reading right now and decide which one you like better, just by trying them out yourself. I’ve provided the download links for each program below.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Topaz Studio Precision Contrast

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Topaz Clarity

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What do they do?

[vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]First things first, if you have never heard of either program, let me give you a small crash course on what each program accomplishes.

Each program has the ability to intuitively increase the contrast of your image. Typically, a contrast tool makes your darks darker and your lights lighter to create a higher contrast between shades in an image. The problem with most contrast tools is it is always a balancing act. You are either blowing out highlights or crushing shadows, since a contrast tool adjusts both your darks and lights of the overall image.

Each program features similar technology that allows you to independently control contrast by the varying degree of details in your image. Each algorithm analyzes your image and categories details as either micro, low, medium, or high contrast. We then allow you to adjust each one independently of one another. There’s no more balancing act in either program. While the do strive to achieve the same end result, they are each very unique.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column_text]

Appearance

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]The most obvious difference between the two applications is their appearance. Topaz Clarity, being the older of the two programs, has a slightly more dated interface. Upon starting each program, you will see each program features effects on the left-hand side and the sliders on the right-hand side. Topaz Studio has multi-document support, so you can have multiple images opened at once. Topaz Clarity only lets you adjust one image at a time. There is also a slight difference between the implementation of effects between the two programs. The effects on the left-hand side within Clarity only use Clarity technology, while the effects on the left-hand side of Topaz Studio contain multiple adjustments. If you wish to apply an adjustment that only uses Precision Contrast technology, you will have to click the drop down menu with the Precision Contrast Adjustment on the right-hand side of your screen.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_single_image image=”47054″ img_size=”large” onclick=”link_image”][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]

Topaz Clarity

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Precision Contrast Adjustment

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Functionality

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]The biggest difference between Clarity and Precision Contrast is the speed. The Precision Contrast Adjustment is lightyears faster than Topaz Clarity. I have both on my computer right now and the edits I make within the Precision Contrast Adjustment are instant. No waiting whatsoever. Edits done with Topaz Clarity seem to take quite a bit longer, about a few seconds for each change. I find myself getting very impatient sometimes. A deciding factor may be the system requirements. You can check out the system requirements for Topaz Clarity here and the system requirements for Precision Contrast here.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Features

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]This is where it gets a little hazy. There are perks for each program. Deciding which program best fits your needs will be dependent on your workflow. Here’s a comparison of the two programs:[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Topaz Clarity

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  • Requires a host editor, but it is a plugin with very focused functionality
  • More adjustment focused presets are available
  • Large grid view for viewing presets
  • Much Slower
  • Adjust Hue, Saturation, and Luminosity
  • A smaller range of control
  • Requires you to open multiple plugins to edit an image from start to finish
  • Effects can only contain the functionality contained in Topaz Clarity
  • Does not have a micro details color slider
  • Price: $49.99 USD

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Precision Contrast Adjustment

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  • Is part of Topaz Studio and can work as a host editor, plugin, or standalone
  • 6 adjustment level presets are available (does not include effects that use Precision Contrast)
  • Small grid view for viewing presets
  • Much Faster
  • To adjust Hue, Saturation, and Luminosity you need to add the HSL Adjustment
  • A much larger range of control
  • Is part of Topaz Studio, that contains all the technology needed to edit from start to finish
  • Effects have the ability to apply more than just one function
  • Has a mico details color slider
  • Price: $29.99 USD

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Gallery

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Here are some images I edited with Topaz Clarity or the Precision Contrast Adjustment, just so you can compare apples to apples for yourself. As you can see, Topaz Clarity’s output is consistently darker even though the settings are exactly the same. I hope this helps to demonstrate the difference between the two and gives you the information needed to purchase the contrast tool that best fits your needs![/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]

Before

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Topaz Clarity

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Precision Contrast

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Thanks for Reading!

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]That’s all I have for today! I hope this has helped to clear up the similarities about Topaz Clarity and the Precision Contrast Adjustment. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer, but instead what works best for your workflow!

We’ll be adding more tutorials and videos so be sure to give us a follow to learn more!

If you’d like to share your images with us, tag us on Instagram with @topazlabs and Twitter with @topazlabs. We’re also on Facebook and YouTube![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Free Download

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]Here’s the links again incase you’ve decided that you’d like to try out one or both of our programs. It’s completely commitment free and I promise you, you wont regret it. The technology in both of these programs is amazing![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Topaz Studio Precision Contrast

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Topaz Clarity

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About Taylor L. Seaton

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”8720″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”5/6″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Taylor Seaton is a 2016 graduate from Angelo State University. While attending ASU, she obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design and an area of emphasis in Business Management and Marketing. She also played volleyball at the collegiate level. She is currently the Social Media Manager at Topaz Labs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_separator border_width=”3″][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]