Google Nik Efex Now Free
- At March 27, 2016
- By John
- In Software, Uncategorized
0
The Powerful Nik Efex Suite is now free
As from March 24th 2016 Google has made the latest version of Nik efex plug-ins for free to download for all users. The Nik Collection is comprises seven desktop plug-ins set of image enhancement tools and photographic filter plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom , Elements and Aperture and other photo-manipulation and RAW conversion software. The collection includes:
- Analog Efex Pro: which allows you create the look and feel of classic cameras, films, and lenses.
- Color Efex Pro: A powerful set of filters for color correction, retouching, and creative effects.
- Silver Efex Pro: to create the best black-and-white photography with darkroom-inspired controls.
- Viveza: to selectively adjust the color and tonality of your images without complicated masks or selections.
- HDR Efex Pro: “From natural to artistic, explore the full potential of HDR photography.
- Sharpener Pro: to bring out hidden details consistently with the professional’s choice for image sharpening.
- Dfine: a powerful sharpening and noise reduction tool to improve your images.
For a while Google offered version 1.007 of the Nik Collection for free back in 2013 after it had acquired Nik Software, but not long after the plug-in collection was selling for $149. Google say users who have purchased the Nik Collection in 2016 will be offered a full refund. Too bad for those who got it for Christmas. Worse for me as I paid £199 for the Nik Collectin back in 2012.
Nobody seems to know why Google are doing this and they say on the website:
Google: We’re excited to bring the powerful photo editing tools once only used by professionals to even more people now.
The general consensus on the web seems to be that they are no longer willing to continue development of the plug-ins in their current form, which would be a real shame. Only time will tell.
In the meantime, grab a bargain from here.
Video Review: Advanced Guide to Lightroom 5
- At June 25, 2013
- By John
- In Lightroom 5, Lightroom News, Lightroom Tips, Video
- 0
Luminous Landscape – Advanced Guide to Lightroom 5
A new set of videos have been released by Michael Reichmann and Jeff Schewe providing an advance guide to the new features within Lightroom 5. Many will be familiar with previous releases from the duo which have covered every Lightroom version from LR1 beta onwards. These have proved a popular resource for those hoping to gain a deeper insight to the workings of Adobe Lightroom. This release is slightly different from the rest and a clue is in the title. It’s purely an advanced guide, so not aimed at beginners, and only covers the additions made to Lightroom in version 5, so does not, as in previous releases, include the entire package.
The Adobe Storm Clouds Continue
- At June 21, 2013
- By John
- In Creative Cloud, Photoshop, Software
- 0
If there’s one thing for certain, judging from all the comment on many online forums, it’s that the Adobe’s decision to move their software to a subscription-only model is a highly contentious issue. Some love it, others hate it. There doesn’t seem to be many fence sitters on this one. I’ve already expressed my opinion here.
If you find you’re vehemently opposed to the mandatory subscription-only model you may wish to add your name to this online petition and spread the word around. I’m not sure how much good it will do, or whether Adobe will even take note, but there are currently of 33,000+ names of disgruntled Adobe customers on the list. I for one would like to see a choice from Adobe. We can but try.
The move by Adobe however, is music to the ears of potential competitors who must be jumping for joy. Many (and that includes me) will be looking at alternatives to Photoshop from now on, so this has provided a massive opportunity for third party software developers. Adobe is going to leave a huge gap in the market that may cause many an amateur or hobbyist photographer to jump the Photoshop ship in the coming months. Already we are seeing a far more attention paid to potential comparable products, which just a few weeks ago may have struggled to gain such notoriety. One particular product rapidly gaining a good reputation is the recently released Pixelmator which reached a whopping 500,000 downloads in just a single week. This no doubt assisted by Adobe’s announcement and which lead to the following statement being issued from Pixelmator. Currently priced at just $14.99 it sounds like a bargain, so definitely one App I shall be test driving. Unfortunately for Windows users it’s MAC only.
Lightroom 5 Released
- At June 11, 2013
- By John
- In Lightroom 5, Lightroom News, Software
- 0
Lightroom 5 Beta Released
- At April 17, 2013
- By John
- In Beta, Lightroom, Lightroom News, Software
- 0
Exiting new tools in Lightroom 5 Beta
Well it certainly came as a surprise to me when this Monday (15th April 2013) Adobe released a public beta version of Lightroom 5 for download and testing by their user base. It’s only just over 15 months since Lightroom 4 beta was released, and 13 months since the official launch of Lightroom 4, so with that in mind we should anticipate a final version of Lightroom 5 in just a few months time.
Read More»Adobe Lightroom 4.4 Available
- At April 07, 2013
- By John
- In Lightroom, Lightroom 4, Lightroom News
- 0
Lightroom 4.4 Available for Download
Today Adobe have announced another update to Lightroom 4. Release version 4.4 provides the RAW support for 25 new cameras and several new lens profiles, but significantly provides corrections to the demosaicing algorithms for Fujifilm X-Trans and EXR sensor cameras, so may prove a much welcome upgrade by Fuji camera owners. More information is listed here.
Read More»Lightroom Tip: Auto Adjust Individual Tone Sliders
- At March 27, 2013
- By John
- In Lightroom 4, Lightroom Tips, Software
- 0
Making Auto Adjustments to Basic Panel Tone Controls in Lightroom 4
I came across this little know Lightroom feature yesterday when preparing a tutorial for my local camera club. However it may only be of any significance if you regularly use the Auto button in the Tone section of the Basic panel of the Develop Module. For those who aren’t familiar with the Auto Tone button clicking it enables Lightroom to automatically adjust Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, and set the Black and White points.
Lightroom 4.3 Released by Adobe
- At December 13, 2012
- By John
- In Lightroom, Lightroom 4.3, Lightroom News, Software
- 0
Lightroom 4.3 Available for Download
Today Adobe have announced their 3rd update to Lightroom 4. Version 4.3 of Lightroom is to provide additional camera raw and lens profile support and correct a number of bugs that were introduced in previous releases. Lightroom 4.3 also provides support for the new Retina display on the Apple Macbook Pro.
Read More»Essential Development – 20 Great Techniques for Lightroom 4
- At November 01, 2012
- By John
- In Book, eBook, Instruction, Lightroom 4, Lightroom News, Review
- 0
New Book from Craft & Vision
There is a new eBook offering from Craft & Vision entitled Essential Development – 20 Great Techniques for Lightroom 4. It’s also by a new author to the Craft & Vision stable, Seán McCormack, who many may recognise from the Adobe Lightroom forums and for his regular Lightroom Blog at Pixeq. Seán has been involved with Lightroom since the early beta versions where his forum activity of attracted the attention of Adobe. He was subsequently invited to become a Lightroom beta tester and has been involved with all Lightroom editions since. Thus he has a well established pedigree as an authority on Lightroom.
I’ve been an avid Lightroom user since those early beta versions too, having migrated from the original Rawshooter program by Pixmatic (where Adobe acquired the original Raw processing software). In that respect
Read More»Lightroom 4.2 Update Released
- At October 03, 2012
- By John
- In Lightroom, Lightroom 4, Lightroom News, Software
- 0
Adobe Lightroom Update
Adobe Labs have just released Version 4.2 of Lightroom, their popular digital photography software. This provides additional camera raw support for over 20 new cameras, a plethera of new lens profiles and fixes for a whole host of bugs introduced in previous releases of Lightroom. One new feature is support for the Adobe Revel Cloud based image service, but you’ll need a sunscription to make use of this.
It seems Adobe have taken notice of the feedback from the onlne Lightroom comunity with many of the requests and bug notifications from users addressed within this release. Of particular note for me (and one that I complained about) is
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