Topaz Labs Adjust Version 5 Review

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Topaz Labs Adjust version 5 recently came out and I finally got around to upgrading.  I am so glad I did as it is completely amazing and blows version 4 (which was already great) out of the water!  After having a great time post processing a few of my HDR images from a recent photo adventure.  I decided to write this review of the software.  Here is one of my images, taken at Mare Island, post-processed in Topaz Adjust 5 after initial processing in Photomatix:

 All images in this review can be viewed at 100% by clicking on them.

Mare Island HDR Topaz Labs Adjust

Topaz Labs Adjust Version 5 Review

Version 5 has a ton more presets than version 4.  Here are screen-shots of both version 4 and version 5.  You can see that the presets on the left are now organized into categories, and each category has many presets to choose from.

Topaz Adjust 4 Screen-shot Topaz Adjust 5 Screen-shot

Since I wanted to show the full capabilities of Topaz Adjust 5, I went on a hunt for the “perfect” images to use in my review.  In actuality, just about any image can be improved and/or changed in interesting ways in this plugin, but it seemed like a good idea to showcase a variety.

I found the first image on iStockphoto.  Here is the original:

Original-istockphoto-Boat-Image

Here is the original ship image processed in Topaz Adjust 5 using various presets:

Vibrant Collection-Spicify Vibrant Collection-Detail Strong Toned Collection-Cerulean Toned Collection-Black Rose Stylized Collection-Faded Glory Stylized Collection-Dark Night HDR Collection-Dynamic Brightness Film Collection-Vintage Grunge-4 Film Collection-Tungsten Film in Daylight-2 Film Collection-Lomo-2 Film Collection-Cross Process-3 Classic Collection-Brilliant Cold Enhance Contrast

 

After finishing up processing all of the ship images, I went in search of a few more images to process in Topaz Adjust 5.  Here is an image I found on Flickr.  I couldn’t decide which processed result I preferred, so I chose to include them both:

Before and After Oceanfront Photo Processed

 

The next image of the Indian bride was also found on Flickr.  I used a preset called “Smooth and Flat” which made her skin nearly flawless but kept all of the important detail in the rest of the photo:

Indian Bride Before and After

 

This next photo, also found on Flickr, was processed using a preset called “Sketch Dark Charcoal”.  I also went a step further and tweaked some of the sliders on the right to bring out some extra detail in her face.

Old Lady Before and After