News

If you followed our coverage of DEMA Show 2024 last week, you will have enjoyed DPG Field Editor Anita Verde’s interview with Lightroom guru Erin Quigley of GoAskErin.com introducing the software she’s been co-developing over the past two years: BackscatterXTerminator. In a nutshell, the Photoshop plugin allows underwater photographers to remove backscatter from their images with a single click—and, as Erin demonstrated in our video, it’s almost magic!

The plugin is based on AI technology created by software engineer Russell Croman of RC Astro, which develops image-processing tools for improving astrophotography: The same principle for removing foreground stars “spoiling” images of distant objects such as nebulae is used to remove backscatter particles ruining your underwater photos. As you can see from the before-and-after examples in the press release below, it can produce incredible results, rescuing images that you might otherwise have to discard—or spend hours cleaning up.

BackscatterXTerminator was introduced at DEMA for the introductory price of $180—which includes a perpetual license that can be installed and activated on up to two computers—and that special pricing is good through Black Friday (November 29th, 2024). The software works as a plugin on both Mac and PC versions of Photoshop CC, but note that neither Photoshop Elements nor versions of Photoshop for tablets or other small devices are supported.

Head over to GoAskErin.com to find out more and trial the software for free. Also, keep an eye out for DPG’s forthcoming review of the software.
 

PRESS RELEASE

Badass Editing Tool BackscatterXTerminator Launches, Transforming Underwater Photography Forever!

Las Vegas, United States, November 19, 2024 – RC Astro and Go Ask Erin are thrilled to unveil BackscatterXTerminator (BSXT), a game-changing Photoshop plugin that eliminates backscatter from underwater photos with a single miraculous click.

A Breakthrough for Underwater Photographers

Backscatter, the colloquial term for particulate matter suspended in water, has long been the bane of underwater photographers. Although many editing techniques exist to get rid of goo in underwater photos, nothing comes within light years of BSXT’s superpowers. BSXT intelligently analyzes underwater images and replaces unwanted scatter with accurate image data that matches the original content and grain, leaving virtually no blurred edges or artifacts. BSXT is a must- have for any underwater photographer who wants to dramatically improve their images without the soul-sucking process of removing backscatter spot by spot.
 

Perfect for All Skill Levels

BackscatterXTerminator is based on innovative AI technology initially developed for astrophotographers by AI software genius Russell Croman of RC Astro, and specifically retrained for underwater shooters with the help of Adobe ACE Erin Quigley of Go Ask Erin and colleague Bruce Warner. Thanks to BSXT’s simple automated installation and workflow, even a complete Photoshop newbie can learn to master backscatter removal in minutes. Erin Quigley’s extensive video tutorial, included with purchase, guides users through the full range of features.

Product Details and Availability

• Launch Date: November 19, 2024
• Special Introductory DEMA Show Price: $179.95 (includes 1 perpetual license that can be installed and activated on up to two computers - Mac or PC)
• Trial Version: Fully functional 48-hour trial available
• Exclusive Bonus: Comprehensive step-by-step video tutorial by Erin Quigley
• Where to Buy: online at www.goaskerin.com

About Go Ask Erin

Erin Quigley is based in Los Angeles, CA. She’s an Adobe ACE certified expert specializing in customized workflows and editing strategies using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. She is an award-winning underwater photographer and editor, and creator of GoAskErin.com, which provides one-on-one instruction, custom video tutorials, and post-production resources specifically developed for underwater shooters. Along with one-on-one consulting, Erin leads trips, hosts webinars, and teaches workshops worldwide. She is a member of the Ocean Artists Society, Boston Sea Rovers and the Women Divers Hall of Fame.

About RC Astro

RC Astro was founded in Austin, Texas, by Russell Croman to create innovative solutions for astronomical image processing. Russell’s award-winning work has appeared in online and print publications including NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (16 photos) and National Geographic. He won the Advanced Imaging Conference’s Hubble Award in 2010 for significant and sustained contributions to the astrophotography community, and in 2024 he won the Photographic Society of America’s Progress Award, an honor he shares with Jaques Cousteau who won the award in 1977. Russell’s astrophotography tools have revolutionized the field of astrophotography, and are used world-wide by professionals and amateurs alike.