Nik Color Efex 4

Processing files using HDR or NIK Color Efex 4?

Published May 31, 2012 | By Mike Criss

I have been doing HDR since 2008. I have never been one to overdo my HDR. As a matter of fact, a lot of my work is not recognized as being tonemapped at all. That is why I am so excited about Nik Color Efex 4 and the Detail Enhancer. It can bring out the details in the shadows and highlights that I use HDR for. It does have its limitations in very high dynamic situations. If that is the case, I take 3 exposures and tonemap the final product.
When it comes to an image like the one below, I like to use Nik Color Efex and its Detail Enhancer. It is a plug-in for Photoshop that I can not live without now.
The histogram showed all my highlights and shadows were there, but I took 3 shots anyway -2, 0, +2 EV. I then combined them in Photomatix 4 to tonemap them (2nd photo).
The 3rd photo shows what I can do with one photo using Detail Enhancer. Painting in the areas I want with it effects.

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wpid5092 MG 4770 Processing files using HDR or NIK Color Efex 4?

Original Shot

wpid5094 MG 4770 1 2 Processing files using HDR or NIK Color Efex 4?

Processed using Photomatix 4.2

wpid5096 MG 4770 Edit Processing files using HDR or NIK Color Efex 4?

Processed using Nik Color Efex 4

I find myself using Nik Color Efex 4 more and more. With the new tools like Detail Enhancer, it adds to my productivity.

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Using Photoshop and Nik Color Efex 4

Published May 27, 2012 | By Mike Criss

Improving photos is getting easier in the digital darkroom. I can enhance an okay photo in about 30 seconds using Photoshop CS6 and NIK Color Efex Pro 4.
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wpid5059 MG 5474 Using Photoshop and Nik Color Efex 4

Before Photoshop and NIK Color Efex 4

wpid5057 MG 5474 Edit Using Photoshop and Nik Color Efex 4

After Photoshop and NIK Color Efex 4

After exporting photo from Lightroom to Photoshop I click on NIK Color Efex Detail Extractor button. This applies the effect to the entire photo, something I do not want.

: NIK Color Efex 4

I click on ‘brush’ in Detail Extractor and it creates a mask automatically in Photoshop. I just paint in the effect where I want. In this case, I wanted a bit more light on the cute dachshund.