Kodak DIGITAL SHO
Kodak DIGITAL SHO (SHO stands for "Shadow and Highlight Optimization") is designed to analyze an image and automatically bring out detail in the shadows, without sacrificing detail in the highlights. This specialist tool could be useful to anyone who has a lot of underexposed pictures to correct. You can treat multiple images by recording the procedure as a Photoshop action.
Kodak DIGITAL SHO comes in two editions: the standard edition that handles 8-bit images and the pro edition for 8- or 16-bit images which has additional features. For example, the user can set the threshold between shadow and highlight, as well as control the degree to which the shadows are lightened or the highlights darkened independently of each other.
Comment
Available from the Kodak Professional Image Enhancement Plug-in Center, Kodak DIGITAL SHO can fix common exposure problems caused by backlit subjects, uneven flash illumination and partial shade. It has been popular with wedding and portrait photographers but it has not been strongly marketed in the many years since it was launched.
Other programs in the same range of pro tools are ROC (to correct, restore, and balance the color of digital images) and GEM (to smooth skin, etc., without softening or blurring details like eyelashes, eyebrows, or hair).
Tech info
- Plugs into: Photoshop; Elements; (Windows only) Paint Shop Pro 7 onwards
- OS: Windows 98 onwards; Macintosh OS 8.6 onwards
- Price level: Approx. $50; (Pro edition $100)
Eastman Kodak Company
Kodak's Austin Development Center was formerly Applied Science Fiction (hence the web address). It continues to develop new technologies with commercial applications for the digital and photographic industries.
From the same vendor:
- Kodak DIGITAL ROC
- Kodak DIGITAL GEM
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