Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Everyone has photos that are underexposed , lap out , taken under strange inflammation conditions , or have fade with clock time , and Adobe Photoshop ( , August 2005 ) has all the tools you necessitate to furbish up any of these problems . However , if you ’re not willing or able to expend the hours necessary to interpret , let alone master , Adobe Photoshop ’s color - rectification tool , there are several plug - ins that can do the heavy lifting for you .
ColorWasher mend the original colors and contrast to this blow over photo .
One of the unspoilt is The Plugin Site ’s ColorWasher 2 . 0 . Although it ’s aimed at professional photographers and ripe amateurs , its Easy Mode can put up major improvement for even the least experient users . For example , you could simply get through the Auto 1 , Auto 2 , or Auto 3 buttons to see dissimilar possible results and take the answer you wish best . If that does n’t fixate the image to your satisfaction , you could better ColorWasher ’s ability to murder your photo ’s color cast by selecting and come home an domain in the photo that should be neutral , which often does the magic trick .
ColorWasher ’s Autodetect setting usually makes the correct selection . However , you could also override the program and make your own choices .
If your presentation is n’t big enough to show both your original figure and ColorWasher ’s preview window at the same fourth dimension , you could split the preview horizontally or vertically to see the before and after trope .
Advanced users can switch from Easy Mode to Advanced Mode by unchecking the Easy Mode checkbox . This enables a large number of manual dominance , several additional Auto buttons , provides access to presets , and tote up additional rip - windowpane options such as stripes and power grid that exhibit variation of photo , hue , color hurl , and color temperature . Most photos can be salvaged by combine those tools .
undimmed lights wash out this photo , but ColorWasher restored its spectacular colors .
ColorWasher also include several XII presets , including three that align for fluorescent , halogen , or incandescent ignition condition ; several more that fix common color casts ; and still others that leave artistic effects . You also can store your own presets — which are helpful for when you have many image taken under similar condition and want to lend oneself the same preferences to each of them .
And it works with other platform besides Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Photoshop Elements ( , February 2005 ) , including Macromedia ’s Fireworks 8 ( , January 2006 ) , Adobe Illustrator CS2 ( , August 2005 ) , ACD Systems ’ Canvas X ( , September 2005 ) , and Corel Painter 9 ( , February 2005 ) .
ColorWasher ’s HTML - ground documentation explains every feature of speech and gives helpful advice . evenly helpful are the brief explanations that appear in the low correct handwriting nook of the interface windowpane as you sneak over each interface element . It ’s enormously useful to be capable to glance down at any time for instructions on how to use a lineament .
Macworld’s buying advice
If you take a bunch of photo , or have a projection that involves correcting faded or coloring material - shifted photo , ColorWasher 2.0 will cursorily pay for itself . Its Easy Mode provide instant results for inexperienced user and its Advanced Mode provides plenty of power for professional .
[ Jay Nelson has been the editor and publisher ofDesign Tools Monthlyfor 13 days . ]
