A superb instrument for processing images
Software Review by Bill Triebel
I have recently reviewed Adobe's Photoshop 5.5. Photoshop is certainly
the choice of most professional photographers who use the computer
as a tool in manufacturing their products. One obvious reason for
this choice is that this software is a superb instrument for processing
images to be used on image setters, separation negatives, color
matching, and so forth. Photoshop is a high-ticket item and has
a steep learning curve though it does what it claims to do.
The first time I saw a demonstration of Photoshop was when the
program was only available in a Mac version leaving me with of a
feeling of envy and awe. However the demonstrator made a dramatic
point as his final remark. He said "Now we are at a point when
we can no longer rely on photographs as evidence of truth since
we can manipulate, take away parts, add to the image leaving no
trace the manipulation had taken place."
Steve Martin makes a related point in his play in which he imagines
that Einstein and Picasso are having a discussion. Einstein says,
"Maestro, I am fascinated by your work and can look at your
paintings for hours, But I must admit, I am put off by your distortion
of reality."
Picasso replies, "Professor, do you happen to have a picture
of Mrs. Einstein?"
If you do, consider it in silence for several moments. He finally
remarks, "Professor, Mrs. Einstein seems very small!"
My point is that all photographs distort reality in favor of the
aspect of reality that the photographer is searching to achieve,
or that he knows his subject will want. My daughter worked in a
film processing plant where she was told that two filters could
be used in processing a batch of film. The first was intended to
make all the pictures look as if they were taken with the same film
and under the same conditions. The second filter was to insure that
the bride looked pink. If you want to cure red eye, resize your
prints, erase scratches and dust marks, you will find many cheaper
and satisfactory programs which will do what you want.
How is 5.5 different from 4.0 and 5.0?
The major change in 5.5 is the addition of ImageReady 2.0, an Adobe
program that produces web pages including the necessary HTML code.
images can be modified in both using many identical commands. There
is an improved History palette that permits the recording of 100
editing commands that can be altered by returning to any step to
see the final effect of altering that command. I found this to work
well, particularly in working with images that needed a long list
of commands. Another delightful tool is the Art History brush that
permits a 'painterly' effect in various styles. There is also a
set of new masking tools: Extract image which allows faster and
less tedious masking of complex shapes together with the Background
Eraser, and the Magic Eraser.
In the November 2000 issue of PCPhoto is an article comparing the
uses and performance of various high end, moderate, and least expensive
of the many image processing software on the market.
Photoshop 6.0 is available in the as I write this review. It is
hard to keep up and have enough time to work on your photos.
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