PhotoShop 6 Plug-ins

For those of you that are involved in retouching or correcting digital images for print, what are the 5 top plug-ins, (or applications) for PhotoShop 6 you would recommend? Preferably freeware or shareware (very tight budget). I just purchased Quantum Mechanic Pro and am greatly disappointed with the results I am getting.

I dont rely on programs other then photoshop to colour correct or retouch my photos. I take pride in taking some time and doing it right. If you are thinking of using freeware of shareware programs, then I would say to you that you will be continuosly disapointed. I would go learn how to colour correct and retouch instead of relying on free programs, you will get better results. You cant get something for nothing. :D

the rubber stamp tool is really all you need, in my opinion, for retouching

If I could do it all in PhotoShop I would. The problem I am faced with is people with a limited if nonexistent knowledge of photography, and a limited knowledge of digital photo editing, who want to produce, if not the perfect picture, then a damned good one. It’s sort of like asking a mechanic to tune up your car and only handing him one Phillips head screwdriver to do the job.

Well, I think your analogy is a bit off. Photoshop is hardly just a Phillipshead screwdriver. And I would assume a mechanic knows what they are doing. If you are saying your people dont know what to do they are hardly "mechanics." However, if you insist on useing 3rd party software, go buy a decent copy of one.

Its simply not true to suggest that retouching studios and individuals do the work all by the numbers. Where production shortcuts and workflow are important often 3rd party developers get a look-in.

Nik Sharpener (Pro) is a great tool, as is Corel Knockout 2. Then theres Fovea Pro - the list really goes on.

I would suggest www.computerarts.co.uk and looking through their software reviews - they normally are a fairly safe source of quality and trustworthy reviews (even they have their moments).

If you are looking to go the whole hog and do everything through Photoshop alone then I can't reccomend this site highly enough http://members.ozemail.com.au/~binaryfx/PSTV_links.html#M this is perhaps the single best resource for photographic retouching and general techniques on the net. BEWARE not for the feint of heart, if all text and no pictures scare you, turn and run away now! this is proffesional techniques discussed and demonstrated in a dry but informative manner.

happy reading

Photoshop Elements 2 is pretty cool. It's mostly a smaller version of Photoshop, but with automated stuff inside it to correct your photos for you and you can still maintain control of what you're doing. All it does really is help you save time if you retouch and correct photos all day.

hey surlyb,

The thing with plug-in's is this: - For the most part - they are built much like a photoshop action is. Someone figures out a series of photoshop techniques, then records it and sells it. Granted, there are some trendy tricks and features that are a bit more advanced, but I'd bet that 99% of those are for special effects, not color correction and/or realistic, professional-grade digital photo editing.

There are some good plugs, without a doubt. thehermit is right about Nik Sharpener pro - I have heard great things about it.

Mostly, like Spectra mentioned, I recommend doing it the long way first. Strictly Photoshop, my friend. Why? because, I took 3 years of high-end commerical digital photo training at my last job, and - never once was a third party plug in suggested, other than maybe KPT Goo, which is basically the Liquify feature, as you probably know.

I do photo retouching all day long and PS is the most powerful tool you can have if you know how to use it. Plug-ins for image manipulation are fun. Plug-ins for image correction can be useful and convenient. But, don't expect to find free or shareware that does better than PS itself in image correction area.

I too bought Quantum Mechanic Pro and have yet used it very much. It seems like I'll need to read the directions to get the most out of it. I also recently bought PowerRetouche collection of plugins. Several of them (in my opinion) are worth the price. Lens correction, Noise correction, Sharpening, Transparency, and White Ballence to name a few. Some of the filters do similar tasks as PS does, but all of them add a little more control as to what pixels will be effected. Example- the Toned Print filter let's you make a black and white image out of a color... simple description. Anyone can do that in PS. But, with a few more option sliders you are able to set the exact way it converts the colors to b/w. You can also fine tune the contrast and midpoint.

It's is true that you get what you pay for. And, good plugins arn't free. I would say, If you have these photographers who want to produce work and you want to give them some quick fixes for thier shots, then you are doing them a disservice. They need to learn some of the basics and photoshop is all they need.

Well, I take that back... my best tool is my own critical eyes. Detecting a problem with an image and then figuring out how to correct it in PS.