Digital Photographer's Software Guide - Bertemes - Net

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The Digital Photographer's Software Guide
Kubota Image Tools
Vendor: Kubota Photo-Design
Purpose: Sets of Photoshop Actions in different editions, plus layout software and RAW workflow
training
Description
Developed by educator Kevin Kubota, the Kubota Image Tools are mostly Photoshop
Actions for image enhancement, filtering, and special effects, but there are also other
products in the line-up including a RAW workflow training CD and the AutoAlbum
magazine album layout software utility.
The Photoshop Actions are packaged in several different editions: Artistic Tools vols.
1–4, Production Tools vol. 1 (with the implication that there will be more volumes),
and Sloppy Borders vol. 1 (again, more to follow?). If you are feeling bold, you can purchase
all of them in one complete package called Studio Set, which even includes the
Digital Photography Bootcamp book, as used in the workshops run by the author.
Production Tools has over 50 Photoshop Actions, such as batch resizing, batch color
correction, tonal correction, rotations, retouching setups, and saving multiple file copies
in one step.
Artistic Tools also comes with 50+ Actions in each volume, notably black-and-white
conversion, which has been highly praised by specialists, but also many others including
glowing skin effects, organic film grain, backlight compensation, and soft filters.
Volume 2 goes over the top with some adventurous processing (Lord of the Rings,
Hawaiian Punch, and so on).
Sloppy Borders has over 100 ready-to-use sloppy border variations for giving prints a
“retro look.”
Comments
Although not inexpensive, the Kubota Image Tools can save a lot of time in the “digital
darkroom.” They have a very good reputation among photographers, picked up two
"Hot One" awards from Professional Photographer at the Imaging USA 2007 show, and
are based on long practical experience in digital photography.
Version: New Actions in new volumes
Plugs into: Photoshop 7.0 and up (some Actions require Photoshop CS2 and up)
OS: Windows 98, 2000, NT, ME, XP, and Vista; Mac OS X
RAM: 256MB
Supported file formats: As host
Price level: Studio Set $1,200, Production Tools $150, Artistic Tools $150
Address: info@kubotaimagetools.com
www.kubotaworkshops.com