Intensify CK

I prefer to use Lightroom and Photoshop as much as possible, and I only buy a plugin if I cannot replicate its effects in LR or PS. Intensify is one of those few plugins. I ended up buying the less expensive App Store version that doesn’t run as a plugin because I can still set it up in Lightroom as an external editor, and because I discovered that the plugin version does not allow me to save my work (as a proprietary MPI file) and reopen it later to tweak the settings. Although a key feature of the plugin version is that it opens RAW files, Intensify does not have any lens correction or healing tools, so for me there is no benefit to opening RAW files directly, and instead I use Lightroom to correct an image before opening it in Intensify. The App Store version does everything I need it to do. Intensify provides far more control of contrast than Lightroom or Photoshop, and it adjusts contrast without excessive halos or other artifacts. When I am adjusting an image in Lightroom that I plan to edit in Intensify, I do not apply any clarity or strong contrast, leaving that for Intensify. I also apply only a minimal amount of sharpening, as Intensify has its own sharpening function, and I have found that if I bring a pre-sharpened image into Intensify it can sometimes create artifacts along high-contrast edges. The key adjustments in Intensify are “Pro Contrast,” “Structure” and “Detail.” Pro Contrast adjusts contrast separately for shadows, midtones and highlights, with an Offset slider that adjusts the median value for each tonal range. Structure enhances texture, particularly in areas of continuous contrast (a light-coloured wall, for example). It also provides separate adjustments for shadows, midtones and highlights. Detail is a sharpening function with separate adjustments for small, medium and large details (similar to using different radius settings in Photoshop) and separate adjustments for highlights and shadows. There’s a Masking slider that apparently works the same as the one in Lightroom, but there’s no ability to hold down the Option key while adjusting the Masking to see the black-and-white sharpening mask, so it’s a bit of a guessing game. Layers are a great feature of Intensify. Adjustments are applied on layers (that can be renamed by double-clicking on them, which is a feature I haven’t seen described anywhere) that can optionally have a mask (and reduced opacity). The Brush and Eraser tools work well for creating a mask, but for some reason it’s not possible to set different brush parameters for each. For example, if I want to Erase with a soft brush at 50% and then paint back with a harder Brush at 100%, have to adjust the brush parameters every time I switch from the Brush to Eraser and back again. The Gradient tool works well, too, but unlike Lightroom it cannot be adjusted once it has been applied. The online help for Intensify isn’t terribly useful, but fortunately there are several videos on Vimeo that do a good job of demonstrating how to use the app. Overall, Intensify is a great piece of software, and the price is right. I looked at similar plugins such as Topaz Clarity, but chose Intensify because it offers more controls to adjust contrast, it includes layers, and the price was less.

I initially purchased Tonality Pro. It was great and one feature I really loved, and expected, was the ability to save layers when using Tonality Pro as a Photoshop plugin and be able to go back and edit them. So I purchased Intensify Pro, assuming the same functionality. But not to be. While layers can be saved using the stand alone app, they cannot be saved when using it as a Photoshop plugin. Upon called MacPhun, I was told the plug in save/edit layer feature would be coming. I waited and waited, but it never came. Then I was told it would never come. Why in the world would this company have savable/editable layers in the Tonality Pro Photoshop plug in and not in the Intensify Pro plug in. The CK version also doesn't save/edit layers with the plug in. Just shameful. When I asked for a refund, I was told NO, NO, NO. Stay away from this company. I dumped their programs as I don't believe a good company would have omitted this significant functionality and then not give a refund. The Google and Topaz plug in do just as good a job and have full plugin functionality. They aren't crippled as is this unusable plug in.

I would like to say this about Intensify Pro/CK: If you value your time and want to spend less of it post-processing and more making images then buy this program. Some of the presets are really exceptional and you have a lot of flexibility in how/where you apply the effect. I am especially enjoying the new "Raw enhance" preset but I also use "Pro quality" a lot. It is very easy to tweak everything about these presets to your liking and they allow you to finish up images more quickly than PS alone. I have run into bugs from time to time and their support is good and I have always gotten a response within 24 hrs (not always what i wanted to hear but that is life). I also use Tonality a lot and I like it. I have no relationship other than customer to Macphun, not all of their software IMO is as good as what Adobe can do (Noiseless, Focus..). Bottom line for me is that Intensify and Tonality save me a lot of time and allow me to produce amazing results relative to the minimal effort required. If your time is not worth $60 to you then I don't know what to tell you.. Jeff

Be aware - there's a serious issue with Macphun's RAW processor which they use in several of their apps including Intensify. CR2 images from certain Canon cameras such as the Powershot G1X versions 1 and 2 are poorly handled and display significant vignetting. which you can't remove directly in Intensify as there is no crop tool. The issue is due to the lens on these cameras, and other RAW processors, such as Apple's and Adobe's cater for this when converting an image - basically, they automatically crop the image to remove the vignette.

Please try before you buy - while the developers are aware, they've indicated it could be 'some months' before a fix is in place.

Seems to be a mixed bag of reviews on this one. I agree that it is expensive for what it is - at least as a standalone purchase. However, when bought as part of a bundle (I bought mine in the Pre-release special offer), it can represent better value. Recently I wanted to make more use of Photos, as it suits my needs rather than Lightroom. The fact that the MacPhun apps work as extensions for Photos is a big winner for me, and they make Photos about the kind of photo managament and edting app I need. Personally I find the MacPhun team responsive and willing to listen, and the apps do a very good job once you learn them. Intensify is great for being a little more creative, but remember you can tone down and fine tune the effects, and you can stack the effects in layers. I also own a set of Topaz plugins, but they don't work with Photos (yet?), and I got fed up with mucking about trying to keep them working, especially after updates. Definitely worth looking at if you can get them for a better price.

A small bag of tricks for the price. Google Nik Collection or Topaz Labs plugins do more and since they are from established developers they are likely to be around far longer than "Macphun".