nik Color Efex Pro - The Complete Collection
Digital Photographic Filters
(Plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop, Corel Photo-Paint and similar graphic programs)

By James Dunn 
May 2004

In days before film cameras were traded for digital ones, photographers who wanted visual effects placed special optical glass filters in front of their lenses. A different filter was needed for each effect. Since these glass filters need to be optically pure, the expense to acquire an extensive set could end up more than the camera itself. These filters became standardized and are known by cryptic and often confusing names like Wratten #25 or 81C.

Today’s digital photographer might want to achieve some of these same effects. After all, if you've used the standard filters in the past you already know what you want or need. But with digital cameras there's little need to use a filter while taking the picture. Instead you can digitally add virtually the same effects, with some exceptions, in your editing software. However, most editing software does not organize the controls to achieve those effects in the same manner and with the same names as the older optical filters. In fact to achieve a similar effect can be difficult to downright baffling.

The nik Color Efex filters are designed to be plug-ins for photo editing software that is compatible with Adobe Photoshop plug-in architecture.  nik Color Efex Pro! comes packaged in four different sets: The Photo Classic set (list $109.95), The Photo Design Set (List $99.95), The Photo Artistic Set (List $79.95) and the Photo Abstract Set (List $69.95). There is also a fifth set that combines the Classic and Design sets (list $199.95) and The Complete Collection (list $299.95), which contains all the filters in the other sets. For comparison, B&H Photo sells the complete collection for $249.95. Before I list what's in each set, let me say that nik has not used those cryptic names for the optical glass filters. This is good because a lot of photographers had trouble remembering what was what. Instead, the people at nik wisely chose to call the filters something relevant to what they do.

Now to show examples of all the effects of this extensive set (55 filters) would require way more space than I have here. To get a first-hand look, I recommend that you go to their web site at www.nikmultimedia.com - then click on the "Learn More" lnk. Then, from the panel at the right of the screen, click "filter list." There you can click on each set in turn and examine samples, user manuals, and even see the dialog box that controls each filter so you can see how complicated (or not) each filter is. You can spend hours deciding on what is best for your needs. You can even download demo software and try them out.

Now you will probably notice that some of these don't exactly correspond to older optical filters.  nik has thrown in a few that we wish we'd had back in the film days. In particular the Old Photo and Sunshine filters are obvious. Since these filters are digital, they are not stuck with one value. For instance, the Graduated User Defined filter allows you to pick which custom color the graduated filter should use as well as tilt the horizon and move the place where the graduation starts, all by using sliders.

Some of the filters just provide a color effect, but others go way beyond. In fact there's even a solarization filter. Solarization is not a filter that you can put in front of the camera lens. Instead it is a darkroom trick. The Abstract set contains several filters that are unique. Included in the abstract set are: the Saturation to Brightness filter, Pop Art filter, Weird Lines filter, Stairs filter and Weird Dreams filter. There is so much here to explore that you can stay busy for weeks without exhausting them.

I must mention that e some of the filters that are disappointing, in particular the polarizer, graduated ND and infrared filters. Each of these makes a valiant effort to approximate the particular effect, but still fall short. A real polarizer can cut down reflections; it isn't just a matter of darkening the skies and increasing contrast and saturation. When you use a graduated ND filter, it allows detail in the very bright areas to be captured instead of being burnt out. A digital filter can reduce the extreme values in the brightest areas, but not put in detail that wasn't captured in the original image. Lastly, the Infrared filter produces a strange coloration that those not familiar with infrared might find believable. However, photographers with experience with infrared will know the difference and be disappointed with this filter.

Don't let these few negative comments deter you. This set of filters is large and very worthwhile. I have barely been able to scratch the surface in describing them here. They are obviously worthy of more extensive exploration. Duplicating the capabilities with glass filters would cost much more than the price of this software. Indeed, there are several filters here you cannot duplicate with glass filters. You might be able to accomplish all of these same effects without these plug-ins, but it would require a great deal of your time. Personally, I'd rather spend my time shooting new pictures than poring over software manuals.

To get an idea of some of the things you can easily do with these filters, I have used a shot that I took at Corpus Christi Beach last summer for an example – Image 1, Original. This was not a very good picture. The day was overcast and the effect was dreary. It was in my discard stack as lacking any real interest. My first thought was to get rid of the overcast sky by using the Graduated 213 (Dark Blue) filter (from the Photo Classic set filters).
	The result in just moments is Image 2, BlueSky213. As you can see, I have placed the break from normal to blue on the horizon. The result definitely helps this picture out.
The obvious next filter to try was the Sunshine filter (from the same set) on top of the BlueSky213. The result is Image 3, SunlightBlueSky213. This warm-up effect is very welcome. I might have stopped there, but I wanted to explore the other filters a bit, so I went back to Image 1, Original, and began to play.
Some of the better results are Image 4, Duplex using the Duplex filter and Image 5, BW. using the Black & White conversion filter (both from the Photo Design set).
	As mentioned above, nik Color Efex contains some filter effects that are more radical. I applied the Solarization filter (from the Photo Artistic set) to BlueSky213.jpg to come up with Image 6, Solarw213sky - a rather startling effect indeed.
You can also see the effects Stairs in Image 7, Weird Lines, Image 8, and Weird Dreams, Image 9 (all three from the Photo Abstract set) in those respective jpegs by those names. As I said earlier, there's just too much to show here.

Here's what's in each of the individual sets. You will notice that there is some duplication between sets. Of course the Complete Collection contains all of what's in each of the four individual sets.

In conclusion, I think you will find much enjoyment in experimenting with this wonderful set of effects filters. There's probably something in the nik Color Efex Pro filters that will save an otherwise dull photo and turn it into something interesting.

Don't forget to check out our NTPCUG member group discounts for special savings on this product.

--James Dunn     

James Dunn is leader of NTPCUG's Digital Photography SIG.
He may be contacted by e-mail: Click to e-mail James Dunn
His Web site is: ImagesByJamesDunn.com