serious price drop on Nik software

i mhave been sleeping, but I recently learned that Google is selling the
entire Nk suite for $149. this represents a drastic price drop.

<http://www.niksoftware.com/nikcollection/usa/intro.html>

 

For those who don't have it, that is a bargain!

 

You have been sleeping. It's been advertised for over a month. I
started to buy it at $149 and then found an online coupon that gave me
an additional $20 off through the NIK site. So, I bought it at
$129.00.

So far, I've used the Dfine 2 (noise removal) module on several
images. (My Nikon, at an ISO of 400, adds noise...badly.) Dfine 2
works a treat.

I've tried Silver Efex Pro 4 with some success, but I still like doing
black and white conversions on my own in Photoshop. I've tried Color
Efex Pro 4, but only saved one image using it. It seems better for
special effects like high key than it does for just regular color
processing.

I haven't figured out Viveza 2 yet. I understand the basics, but I'm
going to have to watch some videos before I get comfortable with it.

I used Color Efex Pro 4's "Detail Extractor" on this image of a
railroad boxcar. Then, I duplicated the unadjusted Background layer
and placed it above the NIK treated layer and use a Layer Mask to
reveal only the door. I wanted the area to the left to be as-shot.

http://tonycooper.smugmug.com/Photography/Miscellanea/i-442j3mX/0/XL/2013-06-12-1-XL.jpg

This one was really for practice. I'd like the same shot with some
better graffiti, so I'm watching boxcars.

 

Tony, no criticism, but just curious. Why didn't you just add a layer
mask to the Nik treated layer and blend it directly with the
background layer, rather than duplicating the background layer,
placing it above the Nik layer adding a mask to it and then blending?

Where did you find the online coupon?

 

Hell! With any of the NIK suite modules all you have to do is
selectively apply the effect with a brush, as the NIK application adds
a layer mask of it own.

 

Thanks, good to know.

Googled Nik coupon and found it. Now playing with my new software.
So far, I like it.

 

It is well worthwhile to check some of the training videos from the
learn section of their website.

 

This one deals with brushing in the effect.
<
http://education.niksoftware.com/tr...h-tool-in-color-efex-pro-4/0/0/0/new-to-old/0

 

What is so special about it?

 

Thanks, that is very helpful. I can see a fair bit of learning curve
ahead.

 

I like it, though I would have removed the sign.
Here's my version:
<https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/97242118/Untitled-1.jpg>

 

I got my software before the price drop. But, That's life.

 

That's a good question. It is "special" if, and only if, the features
in the modules are features that interest you. If you don't do any
editing beyond the basics of cropping and some minor adjustments,
there's nothing special about it. If you do do some extensive
editing, the modules offer some advantages.

BTW, "it" is a package of different modules, each with some specific
application. The modules can be purchased separately, but the current
offer is all the modules for $149 plus whatever extra discount you can
find.

I do a lot of conversion to black and white. I can do this with many
programs (some of which are free), but I choose to do the conversions
using Photoshop. In Photoshop (PS, CS, or Elements), any change I
make in contrast to the image is global. Adjusting contrast adjusts
the entire image. Using the Silver Efex Pro NIK module, I can adjust
contrast in localized areas of the image by using Control Points.

Also, Silver Efex Pro allows you to view what the image would look
like using 20-some presets, and each of the presets is adjustable
globally or in specific areas using Control Points. Additional
presets can be set and made by the user.

I can, by the way, get to the same place in Photoshop without NIK. I
can get the effect of adjusting contrast only in certain areas in
Photoshop by using a Layer Mask and masking in or out specific areas.
I can also download Actions (or make my own) that work the same as the
presets.

The NIK module just makes it a bit easier for me to play around with
different conversion results. It doesn't do anything I can't do
without it, but I can run through each preset very quickly to see
which effect works the best. I can easily pinpoint adjustments.

Even with the NIK set, I still do most of my conversions without using
the Silver Efex Pro module. It's there if I want to use it, though.


Lightroom also has some black and white presets (without control
points), but I don't use LR for editing so I'll not comment on any
comparison.

I'm not trying to sell you NIK. Actually, if you have to ask what it
is, you probably aren't in the target group that would buy the set.
All I'm trying to is give you a simple explanation of why some think
it's "special".

 

In theory ther is noting you can do with it, or any PS plugin, that you
cannot do with PH. However, I think it is a lot easier to use, to get
the effects you want. I suspect Google bought it for the u point
technology, which makes masking a lot easier. Combine it with LR and
Elements, and you greatly increase functionality. Try the free download
for yourself.

 

Why don't you just visit the site and learn something.

....but for the short version, the NIK plugins provide a very useful
tool kit for anybody wanting to add to the capabilities of their
digital darkroom.

 

: On 6/14/2013 10:09 PM, Tony Cooper wrote:
: > This one was really for practice. I'd like the same shot with some
: > better graffiti, so I'm watching boxcars.
: >
:
: I like it, though I would have removed the sign.
: Here's my version:
: <https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/97242118/Untitled-1.jpg>

More artistic image, less interesting shot.

Bob

 

: i mhave been sleeping, but I recently learned that Google is selling
: the entire Nk suite for $149. this represents a drastic price drop.
:
: <http://www.niksoftware.com/nikcollection/usa/intro.html>

So Adobe's ploy to wring more money out of its customer base brings on stiffer
competition from Google? I guess we'll see who gets the last laugh.

Just an example, perhaps, (Nikon vs Canon is another) of why photographic
equipment is one of the few industries left where capitalism works more or
less as intended.

Bob

 

What I would find interesting, is if Google launches a "Pro Picasa"
with PS features such as adjustment layers to compete with Adobe, and
the capability of using their NIK software acquisition.

 

That's one of the differences between our approaches. As long as I
"know" your work, you have a penchant for the realistic. I tend to
modify the realistic. That doesn't make either of our preferences
right, just different.

 

nope.

not only are they two different products, but google cut the price well
before adobe announced the creative cloud. two entirely separate
events.