Topaz InFocus

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Topaz InFocus is a new Photoshop plug-in used for image sharpening and blur reduction. Auto-blur estimation and advanced deconvolution technology that helps reverse the effects of image blur completely changes the way detail refinement is done, by recovering true details, restoring image clarity and offering natural sharp-looking enhancements. InFocus works with a variety of host programs including Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Aperture, iPhoto and Lightroom, and is compatible with Windows and Intel-based Macs. Topaz InFocus retails for $69.99, but is being offered at a one-time introductory price of $29.99 until December 3, 2010.

Topaz Labs Releases New InFocus Software

New Topaz Photoshop plug-in is the first to offer a blur estimation feature designed to help detect and solve complex blur types

DALLAS—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Topaz Labs announces the release of Topaz InFocus, a Photoshop plug-in used for image sharpening and blur reduction. It is the first commercial software that offers auto-blur estimation and uses advanced deconvolution technology to help reverse the effects of image blur. This new sharpening approach completely changes the way detail refinement is done, by recovering true details, restoring image clarity and offering natural sharp-looking enhancements. The range of achievable sharpening possibilities have been dramatically improved and simplified with this new tool, allowing users to easily go beyond the lens to increase the sharpness and definition of any image.

“Recovering clear and sharp details from a blurry image is a very challenging problem that has been under intense research; and only in the last couple of years have there been some impressive breakthroughs in this area,” said Dr. Feng (Albert) Yang, developer and president of Topaz Labs. “We are pleased to have achieved the necessary technology required to provide a practical and useful tool to the hands of photographers everywhere.”

“Topaz InFocus actually recovers blurred detail and finds edges, as opposed to other common sharpening methods which simply boost edge contrast to create a perceived sharpness,” said Ashley Robinson, product manager of Topaz Labs. “By mathematically reversing image blur caused by lens imperfections, atmospheric haze, camera sensor abilities, focus issues and camera shake, we are able to help photographers achieve detailed and naturally sharp images.”

Topaz InFocus can be used prior to image enhancements to help reverse the effects of blurry and out-of-focus images or as a post-enhancement solution that can help refine image clarity and vividness – making it a versatile sharpening solution designed for professionals and photo enthusiasts. The program also includes a micro-contrast tool for adding additional finesse to image detail and structure.

InFocus is a plug-in that works with a variety of host programs including Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Aperture, iPhoto and Lightroom. It is compatible with Windows and Intel-based Macs. Topaz InFocus retails for $69.99, but is being offered at a one-time introductory price of $29.99 until December 3, 2010. InFocus is also joining Topaz Photoshop Bundle, which offers photographers a complete image enhancement toolbox for all of their post processing needs. The bundle, including InFocus, retails at $199.99. For more information about Topaz InFocus, visit the homepage at http://www.topazlabs.com/infocus.

Topaz Labs LLC, a privately owned company in Dallas, Texas, is an innovative provider of advanced image and video enhancement technology. With today’s widespread use of digital still cameras, digital video cameras, and HDTV, the need for high-quality digital images and videos has greatly increased. Topaz Labs’ mission is to bring practical state-of-the-art image and video enhancement technology to both photography and videography professionals and consumers.

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Topaz Labs InFOCUS First Look

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Topaz labs has just released a brand new product in their line up of powerful software programs called InFocus. In Focus is a program that can actually take a blurry image and make it sharp. It doesn’t really make sense and it’s quite hard to believe honestly. There are plenty of sharpening tools out there, but they simply do so by adding edge contrast to the image.

This program is the first ever to use a blur estimation feature and complex deconvolution technology to help detect and enhance blurry images. Topaz Labs states, “This new sharpening approach completely changes the way detail refinement is done, by recovering true details, restoring image clarity and offering natural sharp-looking enhancements.”

This program is sure to be a helpful tool in any photographers arsenal. We all get blurry images here and there that we simply have to disregard. Now, we don’t necessarily have to. There’s no substitute for taking the time to get your images tack sharp in camera, but when all else fails, InFOCUS seems to save the day.

Topaz InFOCUS retails for $69.99, but through December 3rd you can pick up a copy for $29.99 with the coupon code “SuperSharp.”

Here are some results from Topaz Labs..

Update:

I was asked by some readers to include an example of some of my own work instead of just showing results from the software developers own site. Makes sense and I’m more than happy to do it. Unfortunately, I never take blurry images!

Ok ok, that’s not true. I have plenty.

Now, I want to stress again that this isn’t some magical piece of software that is going to save any and every image out there. Don’t expect this program to create a masterpiece out of junk. This hopefully isn’t even a program that you will need very often. It’s more of a last resort if you have no other options than to try and save a blurred image.

When I first started using the program, I had the same reaction as some other people. I thought it was junk and that it wasn’t worth the money. But after watching a couple tutorial videos (which I linked to below in the comments) I really began to understand what this program is to be used for. It’s really all about matching the blur radius of the image to the blur radius correction of the software. So you sort of have to just play around with it until you get it right.

Here is an example of? an image I ran through inFOCUS during my testing.

Conclusion thus far…

Now that’s not bad! This is zoomed in to 100% and this cropping is in the far off background of the original scene. When I took this image, I was hand holding from atop a cliff on the other side of the bay (this is at Dana Point in California). Notice the difference in the detail of the bridge on each side of the divider. inFOCUS went in and got rid of the blur to create cleaner and more defined lines. It also did a great job of adding detail and texture to the water. I’m pretty happy with this result! Now, do I have a stellar image here that I can print on canvas and display in a gallery? Probably not. But what if that was the only image I had of Dana Point, and I had nothing else to remember it by?

Post from: Digital Photography School

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Topaz Labs InFOCUS First Look

This post has been updated for accuracy

by James Brandon

Topaz labs has just released a brand new product in their line up of powerful software programs called InFocus. In Focus is a program that can actually take a blurry image and make it sharp. It doesn’t really make sense and it’s quite hard to believe honestly. There are plenty of sharpening tools out there, but they simply do so by adding edge contrast to the image.

This program is the first ever to use a blur estimation feature and complex deconvolution technology to help detect and enhance blurry images. Topaz Labs states, “This new sharpening approach completely changes the way detail refinement is done, by recovering true details, restoring image clarity and offering natural sharp-looking enhancements.”

This program is sure to be a helpful tool in any photographers arsenal. We all get blurry images here and there that we simply have to disregard. Now, we don’t necessarily have to. There’s no substitute for taking the time to get your images tack sharp in camera, but when all else fails, InFOCUS seems to save the day.

Topaz InFOCUS retails for $69.99, but through December 3rd you can pick up a copy for $29.99 with the coupon code “SuperSharp.”

Update:

I was asked by some readers to include an example of some of my own work instead of just showing results from the software developers own site. Makes sense and I’m more than happy to do it. Unfortunately, I never take blurry images!

Ok ok, that’s not true. I have plenty.

Now, I want to stress again that this isn’t some magical piece of software that is going to save any and every image out there. Don’t expect this program to create a masterpiece out of junk. This hopefully isn’t even a program that you will need very often. It’s more of a last resort if you have no other options than to try and save a blurred image.

When I first started using the program, I had the same reaction as some other people. I thought it was junk and that it wasn’t worth the money. But after watching a couple tutorial videos (which I linked to below in the comments) I really began to understand what this program is to be used for. It’s really all about matching the blur radius of the image to the blur radius correction of the software. So you sort of have to just play around with it until you get it right.

Now that’s not bad! This is zoomed in to 100% and this cropping is in the far off background of the original scene. When I took this image, I was hand holding from atop a cliff on the other side of the bay (this is at Dana Point in California). Notice the difference in the detail of the bridge on each side of the divider. inFOCUS went in and got rid of the blur to create cleaner and more defined lines. It also did a great job of adding detail and texture to the water. I’m pretty happy with this result! Now, do I have a stellar image here that I can print on canvas and display in a gallery? Probably not. But what if that was the only image I had of Dana Point, and I had nothing else to remember it by?

James Brandon is a photographer located in Dallas and a lover of iced tea, Chipotle and his wife Kristin (but not in that order). Be sure to check out his daily photo blog and follow him on twitter at @jamesdbrandon.

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