Being able to create a mask on the fly by using highlights, midtones and shadows is the perfect solution to manipulating backgrounds. Threshold: This tool alone is the one man band of masking. combine it with the other available tools and there isnt much that cant be fixed. The number of things you can do to a photo in here are beyond number. Tone Map : This is the famous and powerful 'curves' used in PhotoShop. It also adds life to adjusting the HMS for dull color photos.

Levels : this feature will bring even the most faded photo back to a crisp sharp image with ease. A bit of experimentation with these features will reveal that V8 is perfectly suited to not only to manipulate, but repair, adjust and restore just about any photo problem you might encounter. V8 is indeed 'chock full' of photography features, the most powerful of which are not filters, although there are several new filters in there which are specifically for photo work. Even after sending him the information via email, he still issued his public challenge. I've just been following a thread on another board where a member dared anyone to prove to him there was more than 'one' new filter related to photography in the newly released PI version 8.

Here is a posting on Stephanies PhotoImpact board showing that there is a lot to the latest release.well worth a look. Personally I find that PhotoImpact does 99% of what PS can do plus some things that PS cannot do, eg 3d molding of shapes.

they have added some very nice extras just for Digital Photo work. You might want to check out the latest PhotoImpact 8.

Photoimpact 12 free trial