Topaz Labs has a new product in their software line, Topaz ReStyle, which is a bit like having an Instagram factory in your computer. More than 1000 thousand effects wait for you!
I must say I am still having fun and have no idea when I'll have a full review of the product ready. Now, I am not an Instagram lover, I am mainly a photographer that wants his images to look like photographs, but we all have a corner of our minds open to some creative experiences, and I am not different.
I have known Topaz Labs filters and effects for some time, but this one got me surprised. I've integrated Topaz Labs Clarity, another recent product from them, into my workflow, and it's a great tool, but when I received note of ReStyle I simply had to try it.
Topaz Labs states that ReStyle reveals new artistic and creative possibilities for your images and helps achieve “styles” that might otherwise not have been thought of. Containing a vast variety of styles and looks, easily searchable using multiple methods, images are completely transformed with one click. ReStyle offers inspiration through exploring the unending possibilities and can quickly achieve your vision or even extend and enhance the original vision for your image.”
I can sign under, the artistic possibilities are infinite. Not only have you multiple options ready to be used, you can adjust them, the usual Topaz Labs way – I mean, HSL, masks, and all the other very Lightroom-like tools – any way you want. And create new effects, and save your favorites, and play, play, play.
I shared part of my experience with my older son, and he was like me: amazed. Topaz ReStyle may not be a tool everyone wants or needs, but it is hard not to be interested, once you see the options. Imagine you have a client that wants a specific look for an image, like a Winter look for an image you shot in Summer. Well, instead of waiting for the right time of the year, you open the image in Topaz ReStyle and like magic you get your Winter shot, tones and all. Or maybe you need a Mars look for an image taken just round the corner…
For those used to create websites and work with colour swatches the Restyle logic seems quite… logic! The program takes an image and according to the theme chosen by the user creates different colour schemes that work together, and make for an image visually unique. It's like having a full chart of colours, with a wizard that chooses the right combination of tones so your message/image.
As usual for Topaz labs products, Restyle is compatible, in Windows PC, with Adobe Photoshop CS4-CS6 (32-bit and 64-bit) and Adobe Photoshop Elements 9-11, or another editor that supports Photoshop plug-ins. These include lrfanview, PaintShop
Pro, etc.
I want to explore the program further and write a longer review, with more examples, in my online emagazine, FOTOdigital, in the September issue, but for now I wanted to leave a note here so you go and check the program. You can even download a trial and have fun with colours!