Software & Computers

The Coolorize filter contains two sets of RGB sliders; the sliders are used to set the range of colors that you would like to desaturate toward black (#3). For example, a setting of 64 in the first Red slider, and 192 in the second Red slider, would cause no changes to dark reds (with a value of less than 64) and bright reds (with a value of greater than 192). Reds with a value of 64-192 would be desaturated toward black.

#4 The autumn landscape after applying the Coolorize filter’s Twilight option. Images that are actually shot at twilight tend to have relatively high red and green values, and comparatively low blue values, so it’s important to keep this in mind when adjusting the sliders. There’s normally a limited amount of light available when shooting twilight images, the Twilight filter mimics this effect by placing a semitransparent gray scale pattern over the image. If you look closely at this image, you’ll see that the gray scale pattern has caused it to become darker along the left and right edges. This effect can be decreased or increased using the Coolorize Intensity slider.

Creating A Twilight Photo With The Coolorize Twilight Option
After selecting Twilight in the Coolorize drop-down box, the most productive way to create a twilight image is to click the Reset button (#4) (which probably should be called the “Random” button) a few times, until you find something that’s close to what you have in mind. You can then fine-tune the effect using the sliders.

#5 A photo before applying the Zoom filter.	#6 Using the Zoom filter to zoom in on an object.

The Plugin Galaxy Zoom Filter
The Zoom filter is used to zoom in on and magnify a particular area of a photo, leaving the rest of the photo unaffected by the zoom. It’s an effect that can be accomplished in Photoshop, but the process is a bit time-consuming. Using the Zoom filter, you can select the zoom area, a color and shape for the area’s outline, and a magnification factor, all from within a single dialog box. Images #5 and #6 show a typical use of the Zoom filter.

Panopticum’s Plugin Galaxy for Photoshop is available at: www.panopticum.com/ps/pg/galaxy.shtml. The package retails for $50, and a demo version is available.

Anthony L. Celeste appreciates feedback from his readers. You may contact him via e-mail at: aceleste@comcast.net.