NIK Software suite vs latest Lightroom

[Eric Rose]

What is your experience? I've used LR a fair bit but have never used NIK software. Mainly interested in the B&W product.

Eric

 

[ann]

I tried out LR, but don't like it.

However, Nik's Silver EFex black and white program is great, even when it was expensive

 

[Eric Rose]

Ya I'm not thrilled with LR either. I guess I will have to make the plunge.

 

[ann]

You might try topaz labs black and white effects. they have a standalone program that supports all of their software so one doesn't need PS, or ............

It is called PhotoFX.
Trial version are available.

I use Nik and topaz a lot and also have Onone, Topaz updates are always free. In the past Nik upgrades weren't but it is hard to know what will happen going forward since Google bought Nik. ONe good thing did happen at that time, they lowered the price and bundle the whole catalog for less than one program.

 

[Blighty]

Although I haven't used Topaz' black and white plug-in, their other products are really good and easy to use

 

[Photographica]

I have PS Elements 11 and I downloaded the Nik plugins trial version. It seems to be the full version with a 15 day limit.
So far I like Nik suite... A lot!

I also went to Amazon and downloaded two books by Robin Whalley. They walk you through nearly every command of the Silver Efex and Viveza plugins. They both are easy no-nonsense reads and can be completed in one sitting each depending upon how much technical background you have. The best part is that they only cost $3.99 and $2.99 respectively. The Amazon Kindel reader, available for nearly any computer, is free.
After reading Whalley's ebooks, I jumped right into the tools. The NIK software installation was a no brainer. I opened PSE and found a new window containing the new tools - ready to be called when needed.
Like I said, so far I really like them. The process of using layers for masks and filtering is gone I think. I also like how the control points work to provide localized image tuning.

I have another week left on my free trial period. As of now, I think I will pop for the $150 and get the full ticket.

Bill

 

[ann]

It will be a great bargain for you Bill, as not long ago one program was much more than the 150

 

[Photographica]

You bring up a point I was curious about Ann. What is the story behind that price restructure? I also noticed that Google has a stake the software. Did Google acquire Nik? Or, did Google actually develop the software and spin out Nik?
Bill

 

[ann]

Google, bought out Nik. At the time many worried that it would be the end for Nik.

About 6 months later they lowered the price, well really just bundled it up for a lower price.

ALso, for those of us who only had one or two products they gave the rest away free.

So far, the service has been great. What will happen going forward is unknown, but so far they haven't shut down the place

 

[Photographica]

Thank you for the background.
I'm more of a darkroom person and an occasional PSE user. So the Nik tools are a God send.
Bill

 

[ann]

Understood, as I know enough about PS to be dangerous. But the plug ins make my life so much easier when I do decide to work on a file.