Tutorial: AKVIS Enhancer

Comparison of Enhancer and Smart Correction modes

Enhancer and Smart Correction modes are designed to improve images. Both work with areas in light and shadow, to reveal previously obscure details. "Then why do we need too modes and why should we not just choose one and use it?" you ask? Answer: the main goal - correction, is the same, but the methods used and the results are quite different.

Enhancer mode strengthens the difference between pixels to reveal additional details hidden in an image. Details are its strong point. However, in revealing details it can also strengthen digital noise which is often present in photos.

Smart Correction mode improves an image through tone correction, which leads to certain colors in an image becoming lighter or darker. Processing is not just performed in light and shadow, but also to the colors of shadows, which improves the image within the specified color range. Due to this it may lead to a lack of depth in an image compared to Enhancer mode. It is best to use when making tone correction in certain areas of an image.

Compare the results of the same image processed in different modes to see the difference:

Source image Click on an image to view a larger version in a separate window

Result With "Enhancer" Mode Click on an image to view a larger version in a separate window

Result With "Smart Correction" Mode Click on an image to view a larger version in a separate window

In Enhancer mode the entire image was processed. Details were revealed well on the stems and leaves, but the flower petals came out too bright. In Smart Correction mode color restriction has been set. The color lilac was chosen (the predominant color of the petals) and only areas with this color were processed. Other areas (the stem, leaves, and the background) were left unchanged.

Source image	Result: 1 - Enhancer mode 2 - Smart Correction Mode

These results show that when comparing Enhancer and Smart Correction modes, one is not always superior to the other. Different photos require different approaches at correction, so it is not possible to predict beforehand which mode would be more effective. In many cases the modes complement one another. Applying changes with both modes to an images can improve the result. If you use both modes on an image, we recommend using Enhancer mode first, saving the image, then restarting in Smart Correction mode.