Apple plans to make the Mac App Store the primary location for buying Mac applications. The model is the same as in the iOS App store. Some vendors are hesitant to move their apps to the Mac App Store because:
- Apple takes a 30% cut (that is a lot)
- The companies don't own the customer information for their marketing
- They have to wait for a release till it passed the App Store acceptance
- Prices for software in the App Store are often much lower than otherwise
On the other side for the customers the Mac App Store has some significant advantages:
- Only one customer account
- Install is automatic
- Updates are easy to handle
- Often lower prices
Right now mainly smaller vendors use the Mac App Store. They can sell their software without creating own web stores.
We found already some very nice tools and deals and plan to share these with our readers. We believe that all the tools we present have a good price/value relation.
No Photoshop Plugin, no Problem
Most of these apps from the App Store are not plugins for Photoshop. If we want to use the standalone version from the App Store with Photoshop we use our DOP Layer Helper script.
TiltShift
Sometimes it can be nice to simulate a Tilt-Shift lens in post processing. In our aerial sample using a Tilt-Shift lens wound not even be possible:
- Focal length (we needed a zoom)
- The plane we used would not leave enough time at the location to set up the tilt and shift. Could be done from a helicopter which can stay in virtually the same position. In this sample we have most parts in focus as from about 1,000-1,500 feet altitude we focus at about infinity.
Here is our sample photo:
Capitola, CA
In this case we wanted to create the feel of a selected focus. This is where TiltShift can help:
TiltShift Preview
There are three regions:
- Center Region: The Center Region can be positioned by using the blue axis and can also be controlled for its width. All elements in the Center Region are sharp
- Transition Region: This is the region around the Center Region and can also be controlled by its width. The more the image elements approach the outer border the more they get blurred.
- Outer Region: Here all is blurred
The TiltShift behavior can be controlled by these sliders:
All these settings are quite obvious. The key property is the "Blur". You have to experiment what fits your vision. Overdoing the Blur can look too much like a fake.
Nice that you can create your own presets which makes it easier to start with new images.
Overall a nice application to archive a selective focus simulation.
Link to the App Store Web Page
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 and Premiere Elements 10 now in the Mac App Store
This seems to be a mjor move by Adobe to bring these apps to the Mac App Store.
Snapheal
Snapheal is a new application to retouch your images. You can take out unwanted elements from your photo.
Original
You mark the areas you want to be fixed
Result
We did a few tests and it did a nice job. If you retouch larger areas it may take its time. Be aware that this app is not color managed (maybe best to use with RGB images). If you know your original color space you can likly just assign it back to the resulting image.
Link to the App Store Web Page
PhotoArtista Haiku and Oil
Both apps are inexpensive photo effects tools. They were first available for the iPhone/iPad and now for the Mac.
Haiku
PhotoArtista Haiku
The effects can be quite interesting and well worth to explore.
Oil
PhotoArtista Oil
Most of the time we actually use these conversion not directly but blend them with the original.
Original blended with Oil Version
These apps are fun to use and with some experimentation you can get really nice results. Have fun!
EXIFChanger
Finally a simple tool to change your EXIF settings if needed. We somtimes need this if we align images in Photoshop and the resulting image have all the same EXIF info.
Link to the App Store page.
HDR Darkroom Pro
Full report can be found here.
PhotoCopy
Full report can be found here. |
