If you’re struggling to achieve the perfect look for your still images, Dehancer offers a powerful solution. Available for Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Affinity Photo, and Capture One on both Mac and Windows, Dehancer is a plug-in designed to bring the nostalgic aesthetic of film to your digital workflow.
What is Dehancer?
Dehancer is a plug-in that provides 63 film profiles, allowing photographers and videographers to integrate the unique qualities of film into their digital images. It is tailored for those who appreciate the mood and nostalgia of film but seek the convenience and flexibility of digital editing tools.
Key Features
Extensive Film Profiles
Dehancer offers a collection of 63 film profiles. When you load an image into a supported editor and launch Dehancer, you can choose from various film emulations displayed on the left side of the screen. The right side provides controls to fine-tune and adapt your image based on the selected emulation.
User-Friendly Interface
The software is designed for ease of use. With a simple and intuitive GUI, you can quickly navigate through film profiles and apply them to your images. Dehancer supports TIF and JPEG files, but it performs best with RAW files, which provide more data for accurate adjustments.
Customizable Edits
Dehancer allows you to use its film emulations as a starting point for further editing. You can make adjustments within Dehancer or return to your primary editor for additional tweaks. Additionally, Dehancer lets you save enhanced emulations as presets for future use.
Realistic Film Emulations
Dehancer includes a wide range of film emulations, including several from Kodak, Fujifilm, Konica, and Rollei. These profiles aim to replicate the look and feel of traditional films accurately. For users familiar with Fujifilm’s built-in camera emulations, Dehancer extends similar functionalities to non-Fuji cameras.
Using Dehancer
I tested Dehancer on various images, finding it straightforward to use. The ability to quickly apply and adjust film emulations provided a new perspective on my images, often enhancing them in ways I hadn’t considered. While Dehancer can serve as a final edit tool, most photographers will likely use it as a starting point before refining their work in their main editor.
Benefits
- Ease of Use: Powerful yet user-friendly.
- Installation: Simple and quick.
- Preset Creation: Ability to create and import presets.
- Undo and History: Convenient undo commands and history features.
- Image Enhancement: Thoughtful use can significantly improve most images.
Drawbacks
- Thumbnail Size: Preview thumbnails are small, making it harder to see details.
- In-App Help: Lack of built-in help, requiring users to visit the website for assistance.
Purchasing Dehancer
Dehancer is available on the company website with various subscription options:
- 3 months: $69.00
- 6 months: $89.00
- 1 year: $129.00
- Lifetime: $199.00 (best value, as it includes 2 seats)
Conclusion
Dehancer proves to be an effective tool for both advanced photographers and beginners. Initially skeptical, I found that after extensive use, Dehancer became a valuable addition to my editing workflow. While some may prefer to avoid software presets, the ability to see different approaches to an image with a single click can enhance creativity. Dehancer offers a near-filmic look for digital images and allows for extensive customization, making it a welcome tool for anyone looking to bring the timeless quality of film into their digital work.
