The use of selective focus has been part of photography since the very first lenses where invented. There are many techniques used to control either the plane of focus or removing sharpness from edges. The most common way to do this is by controlling depth of field in the camera by using a large aperture lens producing a narrow depth of field. Now photographers have a new Photoshop plug-in to help put the focus where they want the all new FocalPoint 1.0.
The use of selective focus is used to remove distracting backgrounds and to focus the viewers view on the subject. It also has artistic applications as well. This is a popular look in both portrait and wedding work but also commercial and editorial photography, especially food. All of the above mentioned techniques are used at the time the photograph is taken and require addition hardware and knowledge of how to use them. Many of these tools have not transferred to digital or behave differently with digital photography.
A New Tool for the Digital Darkroom: FocalPoint gives photographers a way to create realistic depth of field control, plane of focus control and selective focus to any image after it is photographed allowing for more control and precision. The focus bug control in FocalPoint has a tangible, hardware feel much like using a lens. It makes it fast for a photographer to define the "sweet spot" either in a round shape or a plane and then control how much and of what kind of blur they would like to add. This has a huge benefit over hardware tools like auxiliary lenses and filters because it allows the photographer to control the focus after the image is taken, giving them more control and requiring fewer shots in camera.
Features:
• Ultimate Blur Control: The unique controller in FocalPoint called the "FocusBug" has two shapes, round and planar. The round bug simulates a selective focus lens or filter. It has a round bokeh (out of focus region) that is favored by portrait and wedding photographers
• 3D Tilt: The FocusBug allows you to tilt the sweet-spot aperture in 3D, simulating the tilt effect of a view camera or tilt-shift lens. These allows you to increase or decrease the amount and feather of blur across a plane
• Blur Types: FocalPoint allows you to vary the blur style that is used. Select from a standard defocused look or add a little motion to simulate the look of certain lenses
• Add Layer Mask: FocalPoint always returns its results to a new layer in Photoshop, protecting your original image for further editing. It can even automatically add a layer mask so you can selectively paint out the FocalPoint effect in Photoshop to restore important details
• Vignettes: FocalPoint also allows you to add a vignette, either lighter or darker around the sweet-spot. You control the amount and size in realtime. No need to make another layer or use complicated effects or actions. You can even use FocalPoint just for vignetting without blurring the image
Specifications:
• Software Sub Type: Image Editing
• Software Name: FocalPoint v.1.0 - Complete Product
• License Type: Complete Product
• License Pricing: Standard
• License Quantity: 1 User
