The Nik Collection - Four Techniques You Must Learn

[@FirstLastth]

there is something so soothing about your voice, it the equivalent of hot chocolate by the fireplace on a cold day. Anyway I only started using Nik collection a couple of weeks ago and I am completely blown away by its capabilities, it simply makes editing way much easier. this tutorial is spot on, thank you very much, you have earned a new subscriber.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you for the compliments. I work hard trying to achieve good audio on the videos so it's nice to know they are good to listen to. The Nik collection is a great set of tools, isn't it. I have been a user for a long time and I'm pleased to see DxO developing them. I hope that we start to see some new features coming through in 2019 and I hope you continue to enjoy my videos.

[@FirstLastth]

Robin Whalley, I also hope they keep developing it, even though everything is new to me. I am very happy with the results so far . Best £40 I've invested in some time.

[@GBB70]

I've been a NIK user for sometime and am familiar with the use of CP's. But the presentation was very worthy to watch and reinforces what I have learned over time. Well done sir.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. Much appreciated

[@rich9914]

As alway I’ve learned a great deal or have been reminded of steps I had forgotten about. Thanks

[@RobinWhalley]

Glad to help and that's great to hear. Thank you

[@stefanschafer5763]

Following your thought process and concise steps make this tutorial top notch. Thanks Robin.

[@RobinWhalley]

Great to hear you liked it. Thank you.

[@MOAB-UT]

Very nice. Negative control points were slick! Great final result.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. Yes, negative control points are vital to getting the best results. Glad you liked it.

[@shackcf]

Started using NIK in GIMP back in 2013. Now the Brush Tool is working with PS. Always on the lookout for tips from others. Thank you!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. I hadn't thought about using Nik with GIMP. I may need to look at that.

[@bishakhachakraborty6765]

Love your videos ..very well explained..love the way you zoom into the controls you are using in the side panel ..

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[@bethany8604]

I downloaded the Nix collection last Autumn and have been looking for something like this tutorial to help me learn my way around it. The difference between the original and final images is amazing. Thanks you Robin. I'll be watching out for more of your videos.

[@RobinWhalley]

You're very welcome. I'm pleased it's helped you.

[@twoarmadiloes]

Excellent video. I'm trialling Nik now and this has been a great help. Thanks.

[@RobinWhalley]

Great to hear. Be sure to check out my new Bitesize Nik Tutorials kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp2XmXawgJhofc0

[@feliperoucollompart6885]

Gracias por sus tutos son muy utiles

[@RobinWhalley]

Eres muy bienvenido

[@marclabro]

Great tutorial ! Just updated to new DXO version. I use nik filters from Lightroom, not photoshop and viveza is the black duck for me. I have never understood why it is not a "basic" filter in color efex pro 4 so we could go back and forth bewteen filters. viveza just add u-poinst with contrast, brightness, structure,... so could be a filter on its own marc

[@RobinWhalley]

That would be a great idea. You should make the suggestion in the Nik forum on DxO. Historically, Viveza was sold as a stand-alone package which is probably why it wasn't included in Color Efex Pro.

[@JezLerman]

Liked. Subscribed. I have an aversion to brushing - drives me nuts, will do anything to escape using brush tools whatever the software. While I appreciated watching you manipulate the landscape image within Nik, I didn't pay any attention to your Photoshopping brushing. How about making a second version of this clip that utilises Nik 100% to make the same resultant fab image, completely sans Adobe software?

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. Good to have you subscribe. I don't often use the brushing technique now UNLESS I'm painting through a Luminosity Mask. If you look at most of my Nik Videos they do everything with Control Points. I tend to use Photoshop to hold different filter adjustments together in one file. I like that you can convert the Layers for use with Smart Filters which then saves all the control point information for use later.

[@simonmccreery3295]

Really very helpful. Thank you.

[@RobinWhalley]

You're very welcome!

[@drew_bryden]

Thank you for these excellent tips. I have been using Color Efex on my landscape photos for some time, but was unaware of the negative control point feature! You have unlocked a whole new, much simpler workflow for me! The instructions for using Viveza to bring out the shadow detail was invaluable as well.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks, that's great to hear. I'm now going to make a shameless plug and say you should see my books on Amazon. They cost the price of a photography magazine and have a lot more detail. (The Viveza book is also available on my website). Seriously though, these tools can do a lot and the video only scratches the surface. If you know which filters to combine you can produce amazing results. I posted another video some time back showing HDR Efex with Silver Efex Pro which shows the same sort of thing kzbin.info/www/bejne/iX6qomeqqdmNppY.

[@drew_bryden]

Robin Whalley Haha, I appreciate the recommendation. I have purchased and read Essential Photoshop and will certainly purchase more! 😃

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. Much appreciated.🙂

[@selenitafm]

Fantástico video,great explanatios!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you

[@mrhristv]

What a tutorial! Good job

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. I'm pleased you like it.

[@Paul_anderson_creative]

As an expert user of NIK I am a little surprised firstly that you did not use just NIK Color Efex Pro as all the adjustments in Viveza can be initiated in Color Efex Pro.. Secondly the edits can all be done in a single NIK session and edit without the use of PS masks, (the real purpose of control points) quicker and easier IMHO. Thanks.

[@RobinWhalley]

Hi Paul, I can see your argument but I still believe there is a place for Viveza. The results from Viveza do look different to Color Efex and I find by combining the two tools you have greater flexibility and can produce a better result. As for using Nik through Photoshop, the use of Layers brings lots of benefits that aren't available in just Nik, for example Blending Modes and Smart Filters to retain editing information. The masking in Photoshop also offers a lot more precision than can be achieved through the Nik Control Points.

[@HarrisCahyadi]

Whoa.... amazing technique... thanks for sharing

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. It’s good to know you liked it.

[@OceanicMind]

Speed 1.25 is perfect for me. Thank you for this info Robin, it's all great!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. Great to hear you find it useful.

[@gordroberts53]

Good Nik tutorial. I found Nik a few months ago and used only the Silver FX module, you have certainly broadened my horizons (pardon the pun). Thanks for sharing!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you and you're forgiven for the pun. You really should think wider just the Silver Efex module. You can do so much much when you combine them together.

[@alastairlofthouse8613]

Hi Robin Another great video, learnt a lot about using the Nik Collection thanks.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks Alastair. It's great to hear you like the video. I did worry that Nik was losing some of its popularity but as long as people are enjoying the videos I will keep producing them.

[@alastairlofthouse8613]

Please keep making the videos as I do like the Nik collection and the control point technology, it was your video that got me using it in the first place. I was concerned that following a change of ownership it would be left to fad away unloved by some.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. I will keep producing them and let's hope it doesn't fade away.

[@CastalianVisions]

It's a real pleasure listening to you. I am used to use luminosity- and other masks, but control points are really, how shall I say ... more artistic. Reminds me more of the darkroom attempts at masking. If you feel like it, I would love to see a video by you on using the brush function in the NIK plugins.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. I will add your suggestion to the list. It's something I was considering covering now that it's been fixed by DxO.

[@DrUndies]

Great tutorial, as I'd only just downloaded the Nik collection and didn't really know how to use them. Thank you.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. At the risk of sounding pushy you should take a look at my other videos on Nik or even my books on Amazon. They cost the same as a photo magazine and still apply to the latest DxO release. Advertisement over. But seriously, if there is content you want to see on this channel do let me know. Suggestions are where I get a lot of my ideas.

[@dudeman.x2988]

By far one of the best tutorial videos I've ever seen. 👍🏽

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. I really appreciate your comment.

[@srhphoto1]

Fantastic tutorial Robin, really enjoyed watching it and it will be extremely useful for me going forward.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks Simon. I'm pleased to hear it hit the mark for you.

[@andychattaway1361]

Thanks Robin for another brilliant tutorial.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks Andy, I'm please you like it.

[@JoseLopez-vx7hw]

THANKS ONCE AGAIN. YOUR VIDEOS ARE AWSOME. YOUR MY NEW MOTIVATOR AND FRIEND.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks Jose. I'm very pleased you like the videos so much.

[@gchristopherklug]

What a great great video. I have used the Nik collection but you show a great way to implement changes. Thank you!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. It's great to hear you enjoyed it.

[@gchristopherklug]

Robin Whalley Especially the hand-off between Nik and Photoshop. The use of masks in PS as a way to augment control points. I await how the next version of Nik will hopefully be even better.

[@RobinWhalley]

Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops.

[@JulesMoyaert_photo]

Amazing change but lots of processing. Thank you.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. It seems like lots of processing but once you have done it a few times it become3s fast and easy.

[@richardwinlondon9689]

Excellent blog, great hints and tips, thank you Robin

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. Much appreciated.

[@timwilliams632]

Does any other photo software use a control point with mask like this? This has been my favorite for... 7-10 years? From Day 1 with these products.

[@RobinWhalley]

Not anymore with the exception of Photo Lab from DxO. There were a few products if you go back 10 or so years that also used Control Points. I think they were copying Nik but I think Nik managed to get a patent or something on the technology. Photo Lab from DxO uses it because DxO bought Nik (from Google). These are great tools.

[@Retro-Man]

Great video, I have used Niksoft since it first came out and suffered the grief with Google. I noticed you edited an image taken on e Fuji X-T2, do you only use Lightroom/Photoshop and Niksoft for editing Fuji images. There is a lot of discussion about the "problems" with Fujifilm images. What about Iridient or Fuji X Raw Studio, Do you see a need to use these?

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. It depends what I want to do with the X-T2 images as to what RAW converter I use. Lightroom does a great job of destroying detail and introducing patterns when converting RAF files. I find a great option that's good with my workflow is to convert the RAF files to DNG format using Iridient XTranformer. The DNG file can then be processed using Lightroom and the results are very good. Other tools that I have and use (depending on how I'm feeling) are On1 Photo RAW and Luminar. Both of these do a great job of converting the RAF files to images.

[@Davidd8655]

Excellent tutorial Robin, thanks!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. I'm pleased you liked it.

[@ffarag]

Great explanation,super Tips from a well known guru. Thanks mate

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks. I'm pleased you liked it.

[@daviddewis7032]

Great video, well explaned.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you

[@josecolon8143]

Amazing! This video certainly is essential!!! Thanks for schooling me!!!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you. I'm pleased you like it.

[@angelobufalino9402]

Robin, any idea how to import your old recipes to the new collection? I can't find the import function at all.

[@RobinWhalley]

Yes, try the following: 1. Click the Recipes panel on the left of the Color Efex interface. 2. The panel will probably show the thumbnail for existing recipes. If it does, you should see a "Back" button at the top left of the list. Click this. 3. You should now see the thumbnails replaced by a series of category headings for the Recipes. Look down to the very bottom of the Recipes panel and you should see the Import button. Let me know if you're still having a problem.

[@AnaKleoDesign]

Thank you. Very helpful tutorial

[@gossedejong9248]

Sir, you are a genius!!

[@RobinWhalley]

Wow, thanks!

[@chaloffmediaproductions2347]

incredible - thank you

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks

[@JB19504]

I am confused as to why you painted with the brush after making the control points. Was that done as an alternative to using the control points? Didn’t using the brush negate all the control points you had already created? Or was the brush used as just another method?

[@RobinWhalley]

The brush is to demonstrate another method. BUT Control Points aren't very precise and their effects will spill over into other areas. If I want to create an adjustment that's top quality I will combine the layer with luminosity masking or similar techniques in Photoshop.

[@JB19504]

@@RobinWhalley I purchased the Mask Equalizer based on your recommendation. Still trying to learn it, but I think I have the basic knowledge. If you can say in a few words, how can you combine the Mask Equalizer (luminosity masks) and Nik in a single layer, or do you have to use separate layers?

[@RobinWhalley]

The way I use it is to create my adjustments on a standard layer (no a smart layer). I then use mask equalizer to create the mask for that layer. The secret is to break down your adjustments into areas in Nik that you can then target with the mask equalizer. For example you might want to target the clouds in a sunset scene. Make your adjustment in Nik to create a layer and then create the mask to go with that. You could then amend the mask further by painting over the ground with a black brush to hide any spillover in that area if the mask created can't separate the ground. Often when you try to target orange clouds on blue background using just control points in nik it will spill over into surrounding blue sky and give a purple hue to the sky. Using a luminosity mask you can avoid these problems. The same happens if you apply dynamic contrast to an area you find it can spill over and boost saturation in a way you don't want.

[@micr75i]

great work thanks a lot!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you

[@TheArcSet]

Thanks for the video.

[@RobinWhalley]

You're welcome. Thank you.

[@JosephStalin01]

excellent video - thank you :)

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you.

[@aloislemberger8365]

Thank you,great video!

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you.

[@phucbacsi1983]

thanks so much

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you

[@ian1957ruth]

Just a quick question do all these techniques work similarly in Affinity Photo?

[@RobinWhalley]

Hi Ian, All the Nik products work the same in Affinity Photo BUT there are a few problems when using Viveza in Affinity. You can work around these once you understand them. If you look through my videos you will see the one where I explain this for a few months back.

[@crmgdngmail3665]

Well done

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you

[@veselinvasilev9362]

Thank you!

[@RobinWhalley]

You're welcome

[@ZOly62]

01:04 1) Making Details Pop 06:20 2) Revealing Shadow Detail 11:24 3) Creating Amazing Sunsets 16:58 4) Intensifying Colour

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks for adding

[@MikeMyers00]

Thanks for adding this - I'm watching this video as a learning tool, and I like having a reminder that takes me directly to what I'm thinking about. I wish there was a way to create little "snippets" for how to use each tool.

[@ScorpiusBF]

Are you masking same areas twice? Once in nik than in ps? What is the purpose?

[@RobinWhalley]

Yes. There wasn't too much purpose to it in the video because I wanted to keep it simple. BUT the Nik control points which good for blending arent that precise. In Photoshop you can add another level of control with other masking techniques such as Luminosity Masks. What I was trying to convey is that there are other options even once you have created your adjustment.

[@ScorpiusBF]

Robin Whalley thanks for quick reply

[@rgarlinyc]

*Very* helpful, thanks a lot, RW!

[@RobinWhalley]

You're welcome. Thank you.

[@bobmusil1458]

Why would you set all those control points if you use a mask in Photoshop which does essentially the same thing - only more precisely?

[@RobinWhalley]

Control points are great at blending effects but then the mask adds additional precision. Had I not tried to keep the video short I would have probably used Luminosity Masking. At the end of the day I was trying to show four broad categories of adjustment but wanted to use them together on a single image.

[@Baygolf54]

Does the Nik play well with 4k monitors?

[@RobinWhalley]

Some people report the interface becoming so small that they can't use it. I personally haven't experienced this when using it on a 5K 27" monitor. Something I have noticed is that some of the applications don't handle the high-resolution previews well if you zoom in to 100% magnification. Viveza for example shows a preview that's more like 200% magnification where Color Efex Pro zooms correctly. This though is exactly the same as with the old version of Nik as is the problem with the interface becoming too small. Hopefully, DxO will standardise this in the future.

[@Baygolf54]

Thx

[@marcthibault2835]

in witn Dx)o photolab2 it this the same thing or more update because they sold it 69,,00 dollars.???because with affinity photo yu can dowlanded free!!!!

[@RobinWhalley]

I'm sorry, I'm not sure I understand.

[@brightseal7353]

Is this software worth $69?

[@RobinWhalley]

To me, it's worth a lot more. I recall paying almost £200 my original version; I think that was in 2008. I would though suggest waiting for sale which they seem to have quite frequently when the price will come down to $49.

[@brightseal7353]

@@RobinWhalley How do you feel about Photolab 2?

[@RobinWhalley]

It's not as easy/intuitive to use as some image editors but the image quality is excellent if there's a lens/camera module for the RAW file being edited. I covered it in this video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHrMh5lra5lqibM). The biggest downside, at least for me, is that it doesn't support the Fuji X-Trans RAW files.

[@jonathanpoon7024]

Photo editing again! Can you shoot without PE?! Just show us your real photographic talent!

[@RobinWhalley]

No, we are in lock down.

[@moomono9354]

I can smell heavy salt from this comment. Yikess