Photoshop Creative Issue

T

his intelligent editing software aims to

help simplify the photographer’s

workflow with a powerful alternative to

spending hours meticulously editing

landscape shots. LandscapePro 2 offers the

user dramatic effects in just a few simple

steps and its interface will suit any skill level of

photographer or photo editor.

The unique controls and intelligent selection

tools adapt to the image you are working on.

The software helps users process landscape

imagery with essential features that make

replacing skies and altering clouds simple,

using presets or by uploading your own

imagery. It will enable you to brighten,

recolour and even replace skies, as well as

offering automatic area selection, targeted

editing, distance controls, one-click presets,

lighting controls and RAW file support.

This latest version includes new lighting

brushes, over 100 new sky presets, a new Sky

Reflections label and improved selection tools.

The interface is simple throughout and

although it might be initially daunting with its

multiple drop-down menus and sliders, we

found it to be intuitive and relatively easy to

pick up with a little experimentation. As you

progress through your edit, the software gives

you tips in pop-up boxes, which we found

really helpful, especially during the first few

times we used the software.

Once you have selected an image, you are

prompted to drag labels from the main panel

over the different elements in the image. This

applies masks to the labelled parts of the

image, which enables localised adjustments.

The software then attempts to identify the

areas of the image associated with each label,

however, generally you will need to alter them

yourself by selecting and dragging the masks.

In the latest update this feels easier and more

responsive than the first, but you will have to

spend a little time in detailed areas.

When you come across more complicated

objects, you can employ the Object In Sky or

the Tree & Sky tools, which enable you to

brush over objects to separate the two masks.

In general, these tools were impressive, with

only a couple of errors. The masking process

is simple and the software identifies subjects

intelligently, and it’s probably quicker than

doing the same thing in Photoshop.

Once you have created the masks, you will

be able to apply adjustments to the image as

a whole, or to the individual sections you have

created. Each section has its own drop-down

menu with the adjustments available. You will

be able to replace the sky or alter the clouds

and their density or colour to completely

transform your landscape capture. You’ll also

have the option to relight the image, change

the time of day and adjust the depth of field,

which will transform your imagery in an

impressive way.

Although we think it’s accessible to all

levels, we’re not sure if it will appeal to

everyone. The masking is powerful and one of

the most effective of its kind, but it can be a

little laborious with more detailed landscapes.

Change the lighting

04

Go into the Lighting drop-down menu

and alter the strength of the light.

Then drag the black Lighting icon to where on

the image you would like the light source to

come from.

Use Lighting brushes

05

Enhance the lighting in your image by

painting on light with the 2D Lighting

brush. It will intelligently mould onto the

landscape for a realistic effect.

If you’ are a photographer who spends their

days editing landscape after landscape,

LandscapePro 2 might be the perfect solution

for you to make dramatic adjustments to your

captures and take them a little further than

you might have in Photoshop. That said, there

are certainly still some improvements that

could be made – the two obvious ones being

speed and responsiveness.

Already discounted to a very reasonable

£29.95 ($49.95), readers of Photoshop

Creative can get a further 10% off the price by

using the Coupon Code PST17 at checkout.

Standout feature

Replace and edit the sky

The Sky Replacement tool seems to be the

most intelligent feature; you can completely

replace a sky with one of your own images, or

change the clouds and their density. We were

impressed by the option to flawlessly remove

all of the clouds with a mere click of the mouse.

For the price, it is worth a go.

It’s unique and will enable you to

delve into your landscapes with

intelligent automatic selection

9 and creative presets.

The verdict