Many of the apps I review in this column are stacked full of features and, seemingly, developers seem to think that more really is more. ACDSee Photo Flash is as far from these do-it-all apps as it’s possible to be, but will the traditional adage of “less is more” ring true for this minimalist app?
The one-and-only function of Photo Flash is image brightening, the claim being that this app is an in-Mac flashgun. My initial thought was, “Why can’t I just use the exposure slider in Aperture/iPhoto?” ACDSee claim, however, that their special “Lighting and Contrast Enhancement (LCE)” technology is a superior option. This function is adjustable, using Flash Photo’s only control – a percentage slider.
After studying images outputted from Photo Flash, I would say that the exposure adjustment which this app provides is tempered by highlight reduction and shadow lifting. The images, as a result, have a slight HDR feel, but nothing too garish, or even noticeable. I have to admit, though, that the effect is quite similar to the illumination that flash gives.
When you lighten a photo in any image editor, you tend to reveal terrible noise grain in the shadows; Photo Flash, however, seems to control noise admirably. Whilst there is still significant grain in lightened images, the results of Photo Flash are relatively grain-free when compared with, for example, iPhoto’s exposure controls.
As ACDSee Photo Flash is such a simple app, there isn’t much to say about it other than “it works.” Advanced-level photographers won’t be satisfied with the poorer image quality which lightened photos are lumbered with, regardless of which app they’re using. But for beginner-to-intermediate-level photographers who want to rescue good photos that are ruined by underexposure, ACDSee Photo Flash provides a dead-simple and quick way of rectifying such mistakes.
If you’re quick, you can download ACDSee Photo Flash for free (normal price $2.99), either from ACDSee’s website, or from the Mac App Store.
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Mark Myerson loves photography, and in particular, hanging around waterfalls! Landscapes and nature have always been his staple, but he relishes any opportunity to take pictures. He also works closely with many local charities, regularly providing photographic coverage of fundraising events.
Mark is also a self-confessed tech-head and OSX lover – Apple is his favourite fruit!
Mark is the owner of Mark Myerson Photography, a Devon-based business that provides a large variety of photographic services to the local community and beyond. Whilst Mark Myerson Photography specialises in event, commercial and pet photography, almost every type of photographic assignment has been covered by the company.
If you have any photography or OSX-related questions, you can contact Mark via the links given below.