Tony CorbellNik Software Captured: The Complete Guide to Using Nik Software's Photographic Tools

The authors should be applauded for having brought forward this clear and concise text on the use of NIK Software's various image editing products. First, it is readable. Second, it is filled with "meaningful" illustrations, which actually teach. Third, the book explains some of the nuances and technical details of how the software actually acts on pixels. The progression of information laid out in each chapter follows a typical photographer's workflow in producing a final image. In other words, "the book speaks our language throughout". Each step along the way is illustrated with actual screen captures, often clearly showing fly-out menus and check boxes, to guide the reader and to demonstrate the effect of an aspect of the software. Alternatives are shown too--like, "What really happens if I check that other box?" The screen captures are clean and clear, with no squinting required. (BRAVO on that score!) Though, in just a couple of cases, the text moves on to the next topic while the page is still working through the illustrations; it would have avoided some page flipping if the text would not have continued until after the last illustration in the series. A little more attention in layout would have solved this. I did also find a few typos, like skipped articles in sentences ("a"), for example, but nothing that seriously hinders one in understanding the content. Nonetheless, a proof-read by a skilled user would have caught these.Considering that the tech details of much software are closely guarded proprietorial secrets, the book does a fabulous job of detailing things like how and why to best place a Control Point for desired effect, whether one should merge that HDR image beginning in Photoshop or in Lightroom, or how this filter was used to accent that detail and why it acted like it did. Those familiar with the company's online webinars will recognize some of the images used in the book. And that is good here. Whether one learns best by seeing, reading, or doing, this book, those free webinars, and the content on the NIK Software website all add up to an effective total learning package. But, the book gives the most detailed explanation of the editing process and how the software really accomplishes the rendering intent of the user.One last bit of praise--I use NIK Software products most days. And reading this book has increased my skill level doing that.

Nik's software plug-ins are fantastic tools, although documentation is sorely lacking, and the online videos only give hints at what functionality is available or how the tools can (and should) be used. "Nik Software Captured" does a good job filling this gap to provide the insights into the Nik Software plug-ins that you will have a hard time finding described elsewhere.The book starts off discussing digital editing and workflow. One thing I found particularly valuable was a description of the pros/cons between the Lightroom/Aperture plug-ins and the Photoshop plug-ins. Had I known this earlier, I might have made a different purchasing decision. It's actually somewhat sad that this information isn't made more obvious in Nik Software's own website.A good description of the overall interface, and the crown jewel of the Nik Software tools (U point technology) comes next. I found it refreshing to get a more technical description of how U Point works, and some commentary on how it should be used. Again, it's disappointing this information isn't really described well in other sources from Nik itself.The next several chapters discuss each of the various tools Nik offers, with a tour of the interface and examples on how to use each product. The weakest of these chapters is probably the one on Sharpener Pro. Although there was some detail given motivating the need for the tool, I didn't find the explanations on when to use pre-sharpening vs. output sharpening very clear. It's still ambiguous to me after reading the descriptions given.The final chapters give example sessions/workflow on example portrait and landscape photos. There are a few good ideas given, but there was nothing particularly remarkable about these topics.If you are looking for a way to maximize your understanding (and value) of the Nik Software tools, this is a very good resource. None of the tools are particularly complex to use, so your alternative is to just play with stuff and examine the results. However, it's likely if you just experiment with the product, you'll be left puzzled on exactly how some things should be used (or even leave some of the power of the tools unexploited). So, although this book really isn't needed beyond a quick initial read, there is value you'll likely get out of it. Recommended.

I did not find the software you be very intuitive. This book explains the main functions clearly and with good examples. I am now much more confident abbot using the various filters and experimenting. Highly recommended

Having this book close to the computer made it easier to use Nik Software.The fact is that it is so easy to use, we think we got it all. In the book theyexplain how to explore all the possibilities this software offers.

L'ensemble du pack apporte un confort de traitement des photos. Le lien avec LR5 n'est pas toujours évident, il faut changer à chaque fois le paramétrage des traitements externes, mais le résultat est probant.

A good book for the now free Nik software.

I ordered the book because I love Nik's photo tools, especially Silver Efex Pro 2.The book deals with all of their products, chapter by chapter explaining how to adjust and correct an image for that specific software product (like viveza or silver efex pro). At the end of the book, they explain how to correct and adjust an image using several product in the same flow (first do that with this software, then do that with the other software, and so on) and this for several types of pictures like portraits or landscapes.This book is a bit the missing manual that you don't get when you buy the software.It will be useful but I had hoped for more tips & tricks.