beautifully defined portraits in topaz clarity

They each offer different controls over the radius and thus give different results. Several other 3rd party programs offer a similar 'clarity' adjustment. It offers no user control over the radius. It is similar to Topaz Clarity in this concept, but quite different in execution. Think of it as an 'edge' map with the width of the edges defined by a value called 'radius'.Īdobe Camera Raw and Lightroom have a 'Clarity' adjustment. It does this by creating some sort of map of the existing relationships and using that map as a mask for the adjustment. A dark area surrounded by light areas will be adjusted the same as a dark area surrounded by other dark areas.Ī 'local area contrast' adjustment will consider the existing relationships between dark and light areas.

But a basic contrast adjustment does this with no regard for the existing relationships between light and dark areas. It raises all values above the midpoint, and lowers all values below the midpoint. The contrast slider in any image editing program adds global area contrast. Notice how often someone on a photo forum asks, 'How can I add pop to this image.' One of the most common yet vague terms used to describe this is 'pop'. Topaz Clarity adds 'local area contrast' as distinguished from 'global area contrast'. It's a personal choice and your milege may vary. I use Topaz Clarity quite a bit, the main reason being that I like the effect.

Beautifully defined portraits in topaz clarity