sanyasi Posted March 9, 2012 Share #1 Posted March 9, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) For those of you who use Nik Software or are considering it, I highly recommend Nik Software: The Complete Guide to Using Nik Software Photographic Tools by Tony Corbel and Joshua A. Haftel. It was published in December of last year and I purchased it as a Kindle download to my iPad last night. I have read several chapters so far. If everyone wrote as clearly and as thoroughly as these two gentlemen, we wouldn't need so many books on digital post processing. The first few chapters go through basic digital processing terminology and work flows. The authors do a superb job of explaining some very technical information, illustrating concepts, and showing why and how this is all relevant to the photographer's efforts in creating a good photograph. They then turn to Nik, starting with an overview of the interface and the u-Point technology (brushes). I have previously downloaded the Nik manuals for their products and they don't come close to explaining how the software works. The discussion of the u-Point technology reveals a sophistication that is not readily apparent. In fact, Nik is making a mistake in selling the product as simply a point and click product. There is more happening under the hood and the authors explain how to utilize it. I moved next to Define, which is the noise reduction software. Once again, they do an excellent job, going under the surface and explaining what is happening and then offering explanation of how to exploit it. Along the way, they make general observations about various aspect of the capture process. For example, they say if you are doing long exposures, you can reduce noise by waiting between exposures for the sensor to cool down. That's where I am right now and I am looking forward to reading the remaining chapters and then going and reading them as I slowly edit some photos. This is an excellent and relatively inexpensive resource. It demonstrates conclusively that there is more to Nik than just effects filters. Jack Siegel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 9, 2012 Posted March 9, 2012 Hi sanyasi, Take a look here Nik Software Captured--New Book. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
esquire53 Posted March 24, 2012 Share #2 Posted March 24, 2012 Hi sanyasi and thanks for sharing this. Just a few points ... did you used Nik before and if yes, which application you use as host, Aperture, Lightroom or Photoshop? I don't use PS, so if the book covers mainly the Nik software through the layer from PS, it wouldn't be good for me Best regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanyasi Posted March 25, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted March 25, 2012 I use Nik software through Lightroom. I've been a little distracted, so I put the Nik book down,. My reading of it so far is that it explains the Nik controls, which are present no matter what the underlying platform used to access the software. I did try Silver Efex as a Photoshop layer and that layer had the Nik controls, but that isn't how I work. Good luck Jack Siegel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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