Do you wish you could heighten and correct your vividness photographs in Photoshop , but lack the fourth dimension or acquirement to get the resultant role you want ? see no further . PhotoKit Color 2.0.2 from PixelGenius , makes it well-to-do for photographer to apply a wealth of originative effect and people of colour corrections with a minimum of effort .

The 2.0 departure of this plug - in includes exciting raw effects and introduces the nonrational PixelGenius Toolbox for previewing and apply them . Accessible from Photoshop ’s Automate submenu , this plug - in is compatible with 8- and 16 - bit RGB trope .

Some of the originative coloring effects in PhotoKit Color simulate film photographic proficiency , including cross processing ( processing coast or minus film with incompatible chemistry ) and split toning ( which make up the highlights of a black - and - whitened photograph one gloss and the shadows another color ) . New film effects re - make the look of popular chrome - film emulsions . And new special effects include color infrared variations ; a splash of sunlight ; and a muted , smoggy sky effect .

Although PhotoKit Color 2.0 proffer plenty of creative latitude , it ’s not a toy dog . It include practical tools for robotic color , dividing line , and exposure correction . grey-haired - balance effects successfully neutralize most undesirable color casts . Tone - enhancement upshot adjust exposure and contrast in accurate increase . Dodge and burn effects are useful for local tonic adjustments . Color - correction core have been optimized for Photoshop ’s most plebeian RGB coloring material workspace .

All effects are apply on separate layer . This nondestructive approach protect the pixels of the underlying image and reserve further modification to effects with Photoshop ’s layer masks and other layer - based feature .

The PixelGenius Toolbox is PhotoKit Color 2.0 ’s nonrational new interface . It display a large prevue of your photo with the effects you ’ve apply . Its batch options let you to combine multiple effects , merge coalesce effects , and lay aside effect preferences for use of goods and services on other image . The Toolbox is also your portal to well - compose assistant files , and it ’s cleverly designed to give up modular incorporation of additional , next PixelGenius products .

Other Photoshop plug - ins , such as Alien Skin ’s Exposure ( ) , include similar effect , but I have n’t found a more comprehensive , useful collection of photo coloring material enhancement than this one .

Macworld’s buying advice

PhotoKit Color 2.0.2 is a top - mountain pass fire hydrant - in that offers excellent semblance effect and colour - chastening tools via a straightforward port . It will be most valuable to professional photographers and modern amateurs with some knowledge of photographic processes .

[ Jan Kabili is a Photoshop author and trainer . Her latest Quran isHow to Wow : Photoshop CS2 for the Web(Peachpit Press , 2005 ) . ]