Nik Software has been working on its HDR software for a long time now. My first impression of Nik’s HDR Efex Pro is the simplicity in design of the application. Nik is using the same layout as the rest of their plugin suite, which makes learning the new application pretty easy. Once you get comfortable with the layout and design of HDR Efex Pro you have to learn its sliders. That is my next step. From what I can some of the presets are useful if you like using them for a starting point. However, some of them are not. Please watch the video and see for yourself.
Key Features
- U Point® powered selective tools for fast precise enhancements of contrast, shadow, structure and saturation adjustments
- Proprietary tone mapping technology enabling a wide range of HDR styles and capabilities
- Powerful adjustment controls that yield multiple HDR styles from photo realistic to creative
- Standard and custom presets organized into categories for single-click HDR imaging
- Multiple or single exposure HDR
- Advanced technology for automatic image alignment and ghosting removal
- Integrated video-based help system including education on HDR photography techniques
All Nik Software plug-ins will work with Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Lightroom and Aperture. Nik Software is working on full 64bit compatibility for every plug-in. Save 15% off any Nik Software product using the discount code “scottwyden”
Thanks for reading and happy shooting,
Scott
Tom Baker
11 Oct 2010nice wrap up Scott. I'm doing the same thing as you and testing the presets. Nice starting points and so easily tweaked that I think it could really help speed up the flow. The alignment routine seems to be the best this side of CS5 (and maybe as good). I just shot a bunch of handheld brackets and it's nailing them.
scottwyden
11 Oct 2010Thank you very much Tom. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and are already testing out the application.