Three Must-Have Photoshop Plug-ins

[James Fee]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/software/must-have.shtml' target='_blank'>http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/software/must-have.shtml</a><br /><br /></div><i>"One of the questions that I'm asked most often, both at my seminars, and by e-mail, is – what software tools do I use; particularly for noise reduction and sharpening. And, how do I do my B&amp;W conversions. Over the past several years I have tried many of the programs and plug-ins to come to market, on both Mac and PC platforms. Below are brief looks at the ones that are my current preferred choices. The ones that I use every day, and that I count on when producing my commercial images and fine-art display prints. Are these the best programs available of their type? Possibly. Clearly I can't have tried everything, and even if I had, personal bias and needs play a role in making a statement like this. I should also note that I know personally most of the authors of these programs, though this played no role whatsoever in my selection or mention here."</i><br /><br />I can't argue with his three, but my choices would be <a href="http://www.fredmiranda.com/software/">Intellisharpen II and ISOxPro v1.1</a> from Fred Miranda Software and <a href="http://www.optikvervelabs.com/default.asp">virtualPhotographer</a>. I love plug-ins that simplify my life or make it much quicker to accomplish tasks. 8) <br /><br />How about you, what plug-ins do you think are "must have"?

[Neil Enns]

I use Noise Ninja all the time, although as a standalone app not as a plug-in. I downloaded Photokit Sharpener over the weekend to play with and I have to say I'm impressed. I've always had a hard time sharpening, even with tools like Focal Blade, but Photokit really does a great job!

Neil

[Crocuta]

My three would be:

1. Neat Image. Noise reduction and very much like Noise Ninja, but it was a Photoshop plug-in a long time ago. I haven't used NN, so can't compare. On the dpreview retouching forum, people seem split between liking NN or NI better. It may just be one of those things that's a matter of taste.

2. Impressionist. Creates all sort of art looks to make your photos look like paintings, line drawings, etc. Use on a duplicate layer then adjust opacity until you get the look you want. Some great results. Unfortunately, it is only available in a discontinued Microsoft product, but you can find it on the Net if you look hard enough. (Or if you have the old Image Composer software that came with some MS products like FrontPage 98, you'll find it on the CD.)

3. Virtual Photographer. It's not so much that I want my photos to look like a particular type of film, it's that when I play around with this, I almost always find a setting I like better than the original image.

Honorable Mention. I also use Intellisharpen II and I like it, but as often as not, I get as good results from USM now that I know how to use it correctly. (Learned from Scott Kelby's book on Photoshop for digital photographers.) Since I use it less now, I chose virtual photographer as my third plug-in.