Tag Archives: plug-ins

News

Google Pledges to Support and Develop Nik Software Pro Plug-ins

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Hooray!

I just saw this post over on Google+ from Vic Gundotra:

“Earlier this week I proudly welcomed +Nik Software to Google. They’ve been making pictures more awesome for 17 years, and we’re excited to bring Nik’s expertise to the entire Google+ community!

I also want to make something clear: we’re going to continue offering and improving Nik’s high-end tools and plug-ins. Professionals across the globe use Nik to create the perfect moment in their photographs (e.g.,http://goo.gl/aDtkO), and we care deeply about their artistry.

Together with Nik, we’ll continue to put “photography first.”

This is most welcome news!

Frankly, it’s always tricky to judge what will happen when merger/acquisition announcements are made. Especially considering the paucity of details in Monday’s announcement. Many of us were deeply concerned as to whether or not Nik would continue to exist at all. Never say “never,” but this is a positive sign and clear message that current Nik users should embrace.

Save 15% off all Nik Software plug-ins and bundles with code: JODELL

Images, Tips and Tricks

I’m not that tough, really!

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Don’t try this effect on your mom (click to enlarge).

Part of being a photographer is finding ways to express your creativity. I thought I’d experiment with a “selfy” shot that I did a while back to give it some more character. Ok, those of you who know me are probably saying, “dude, you don’t need any more character.” But I digress. Let’s have a little fun.

The original shot was done using my Nikon D3s and 105mm f/2.8 AFS G VR Micro-Nikkor lens (a very good portrait lens). I used a single SB-900 Speedlight off-camera on a stand, controlled by the Nikon SU-800 commander. The out of camera result was this:

I used a single off-camera SB-900 speedlight for the original image.

I brought the image into Photoshop, where my goal was to apply plug-ins effects via layers for complete control. Now it was time to get down and dirty! I duplicated the background layer and I used single-image tone-mapping in Nik Software’s HDR Efex Pro 2.

Single-image tone-mapping in HDR Efex Pro 2 creates quite an extreme look.

Yes, this is extreme, but hang on… Continue reading I’m not that tough, really! →

Tips and Tricks

Photo Tip: Partitioning Effects in Photoshop Layers

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I’ve been spending a lot of time in Photoshop these days, not because I need its specific editing features, but because it’s the most competent creative environment for the majority of my effects filters. When I’m getting creative, that means I’m probably going to dig into my bag of digital filter tricks, especially the Nik Software plug-ins.

Continue reading Photo Tip: Partitioning Effects in Photoshop Layers →

Images, Tips and Tricks

Color Efex Pro 4 for Portraits

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I used several filters in Color Efex Pro 4 to get this "glamour" shot of Otter.

Ok, so I’m not a glamour/fashion photographer. In fact, the only member of my household that even comes close to posing for me is our golden retriever, Otter. So when I play around with effects and gear, he tolerates me quite well.

We had some nice window light coming into the house this morning, and Otter was the only one willing to pose in it. So I played around with my Nikon 1 V1 and 50mm f/1.4 AFS G Nikkor using the FT1 adapter. That’s the equivalent of using a 135mm f/1.4 lens on a 35mm format camera… a nice portrait lens. This image was shot at 1/160s @f/2.5 to get the nice bokeh.

The as-shot image, before processing in Capture NX2

Continue reading Color Efex Pro 4 for Portraits →