OnOne Software, the maker of some very powerful plug-ins for Photoshop, has put the finishing touches on their new version of selective focusing software, Focalpoint 2. This new version has a ton of new features and lets users alter the focus and depth of field after the image has been taken. This software can give you beautiful blurs that can simulate the effect of having used a faster and more expensive lens.
The blurs on this newer version are much more realistic and can open up a whole new world for many photographers. I have worked on many examples for them, which they will be using in demos around the country and they are using my before and after image of a Lynx on the software box. Below are some of the tests I have done with Focalpoint 2 and I can’t say enough about how much I love this new version. As a writer of The Digital Photographers New Guide to Photoshop Plug-ins, this is without a doubt one Photoshop plug-in that is a must have!! It will be available sometime in November 2009 and the creative possibilities you can achieve from it are endless!!
How does Focal Point 2 compare to Bokkeh?
William, they are both similar and different. Since I work with both companies, I cannot say one is better than the other. They work differently and love how each of them creates a different kind of feeling. They are both extremely easy to use too. Anything that helps the image like this is worth having. But try the demos of each and see which you prefer! Have fun!! scotty
How does the blur brush in FP2 compare to the blur
brush in PS CS4?
Hi John,
it is totally different in F2. It paints in and out the blur that you have created. Sort of like using a Layer Mask. If there is too much blur from your focus bug….just paint a little out. But you can also paint in more blur anywhere in the image. But much more blur & more intense than the blur tool in Photoshop. And you can finesse it….press harder for more blur too. It really is a different animal.
It is so nice to have this feature built in. It was missing and much needed.
I really can’t say enough about how it works now. I wish I had this years ago!! It helps so many kinds of images….I find so many different uses for it all the time.
Anyway……hope that helped a little.
ciao, scotty
I tried to download the trial for FP2, but I received
an e-mail for a link to a trial for FP 1.1
Your photography is fantastic. I have sat for hours just looking at your wonderful pieces of art. I have been inspecting them and looking at every aspect of their beauty.
On first image with an animal, I was expecting to see bokeh effect not an effect of some photoshop brush. I have downloaded one trial software and I am not too crazy about it. Their user interface could use lots of improvement and that blur effect isn’t that great 🙁
I love Focalpoint 2!! Keep playing with it and you will see how amazing it is!!