This is another program from Macphun’s excellent range of photo editing and enhancing software written for Macs. I have previously reviewed other products in their range, like the excellent Tonality Pro for superb black and white conversions. Intensify Pro is a program to generally enhance any image by bringing out drama and detail, literally making your photos go pop!
Like other software in their range, Intensify is offered in two versions: here’s a quick comparison:
Intensify
For hobbyists & enthusiasts:
- Native 16-bit RAW processing
- Over 70 one-click professional presets
- Multiple stackable layers
- 4 distinct detail enhancement algorithms
- Export to TIFF, PSD, JPG and a lost of other forms
- Sharing to social networks & the Macphun Print Lab
Intensify Pro
For professional photographers:
All the features of the Standard version, plus:
- Run as a stand-alone app or as a plug-in
- PSD Open and Export support
- Dehalo feature (Micro Sharpness tool)
- Softness feature (Structure tool)
- Luminosity and Place Centre controls (Vignette tool)
- Tonal range clipping and pixel saturation (Histogram)
For the purposes of this review, I will be looking at the Pro version.
Once you have downloaded the software from the Macphun website and installed the program (which is very simple and quick), you will be prompted to activate (if you have already purchased a serial code, purchase or continue as a trial). You then get a quick tip splash screen displayed, which you can choose to switch off at start-up. With the pro version, the next option is to install the program as a plug-in. This couldn’t be easier as the program seeks out all your relevant software e.g. Lightroom, Photoshop, and Aperture etc. It’s then just a simple process of clicking on which ones you would like it to operate as a plug-in. (You can still use it stand-alone at any time if you wish).
To use as a plug-in, it’s best to close the program and then open up your normal editing software, in my case Lightroom. Then once in your editing program, select the image you wish to work on and right click with your mouse. This will then display your list of installed plug-ins and select Intensify Pro. You will then see a menu pop up, asking if you wish to edit your photo with any already applied Lightroom adjustments. (This is the first default option and one that you should accept)
Lightroom will then make a copy to work on, as set-up in your Lightroom preferences, in my case a Tiff file. Intensify will then open with your selected image filling most of the screen, apart from the various menu bars.
Intensify Pro Main window
The best way to start getting to know the program is simply to click on one of the 70 presets already included. They are split into helpful categories, like architecture and landscape. Just select one and within a second your image will be enhanced. If you like what you see, then just click on ‘apply’ and the effect will be added to your photo and the program will return you to Lightroom, with your original image alongside.
just some of the presets
However, should the effect be too strong, then each preset conveniently has a slider that enables you to reduce the amount of effect applied. You can also mark the effect you selected as a favourite, which is then stored within its own panel. Finally, the other option denoted by a slider button takes you to the adjustment panel. It’s here that you can really fine-tune the preset to your heart’s content. Once you have done this, you can save the changes as a custom preset for future use, by clicking on the ‘create preset’ button.
shows amount of effect slider
Intensify Pro adjustment toolbar
At any time you can click on the eye button on the tool bar, to see what your image looked like before. Better still, click on the button to its right and the program will display before and after images, either alongside each other, or should you prefer, on top of each other.
Before & after adding ‘natural enhance’ effect
Of course being Macphun software, it doesn’t stop there, yet more options await!
You can, for example, layer your effects should you wish to apply more than one. In fact, up to 5 layers can be applied.
Should you wish to just apply an effect to one area rather than the whole image, you can use one of the tools displayed on the top right of the tool bar. You can just brush an effect on an area using unsurprisingly the brush tool, or erase it away from an area using the, yes you’ve guessed it, eraser tool! Finally, there is even a gradient tool if you just want to apply an effect quickly over a larger area, such as the sky.
selective adjustment tools
In addition, Intensify offers you the option to quickly share your image with social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Flickr.
Finally, you can even order framed or canvas prints and postcards etc. via the Macphun Print Lab that, although based in the USA, will ship to other countries including the UK.
Conclusion
Intensify Pro is another excellent program from Macphun, and I’m looking forward to working with it more. I can see it becoming my first port of call when starting to edit an image. I know I’ve only touched upon its capabilities in this short review as, like all plug-ins, it takes time to explore the features and learn how to get the best from it. Hopefully, I’ve given you a good idea of what it can do. The best way to see for yourself is to go to the Macphun website and download a trial of the program (look for the grey Try for Free button above the menu).
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