Digital Photographer's Software Guide - Bertemes - Net

350
The Digital Photographer's Software Guide
Comments
HVC Color Composer is clearly a useful tool for designers because it produces wonderfully
harmonious palettes, but can photographers derive benefit from it? The answer
is yes, especially in taking pictures for print where accurate color reproduction is critical,
such as fabric and interior design catalogs. On these projects a photographer can
work with a designer, both using HVC Color Composer to achieve perfect color combinations.
Version: HVC Color Composer 1.4 (2008)
Plugs into: Windows Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3; Photoshop Elements 4 and 5; Mac Photoshop
7, CS, CS2, and CS3 and Photoshop Elements 2, 3, and 4; Adobe InDesign 3.0 or 4.0 (Windows
version in development)
OS: Windows 2000, XP, and Vista; Mac OS X
RAM: 512MB
Supported file formats: As host
Price level: Standard version $50, Professional version $130
Address: Master Colors LLC, 3905 State Street, Suite 7-144, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
www.master-colors.com
PhotoKit Color
Vendor: PixelGenius
Purpose: For applying precise color corrections, automatic color balancing, and creative coloring
effects
Description
PhotoKit Color provides a comprehensive set of coloring tools that extend the standard
Photoshop facilities. In particular it allows photographers to reproduce traditional photographic
processes digitally using Photoshop. It offers a full range of filters, including
infrared, sunshine filters, color transfer effects, a nocturnal day-for-night effect, and
many others. There is also a Film Effects series that simulates several generic chrome
film emulsions.
Comments
PhotoKit Color 2.0 works well with Photoshop, using separate layers on which to apply
its many different effects. It allows you to enhance specific colors, for example in making
skin tones warmer or cooler according to taste, or in removing color casts. But it also
has purely creative effects, such as black and white split toning and cross processing,
which will appeal to many photographers. With the new interface, called PixelGenius
Toolbox, PhotoKit Color is easy to use, displays a large preview, and allows you to replicate
effects from one image to another. However, you need to be a good judge of color
and the product is therefore aimed at professionals and advanced amateurs.