Jack Graham Photography LLC & Jack Graham Photography Workshops

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1 SPEAKER NOTES: NFRCC 2011 / NIK SOFTWARE Jack Graham Photography LLC & Jack Graham Photography Workshops Text and images Graham Photography, all rights reserved >Save 15% when ordering online use this code =JGRAHAM OVERVIEW: Before I dive into Nik Software and the image processing discussion, it is important you all to know a few very general things about me and how I process files. First, I am a NOT an employee of NIK SOFTWARE, nor do I derive any form of reimbursement for this endorsement. Second, I am a professional nature / travel photographer. For me, the more time in the field, and the less time in front of a computer, the better.

2 Third, I process my images to make them look as close to what I witnessed when I depressed the shutter button as possible. I am not an in your face over saturated, highly contrast looking image kind of guy. (Though if you like that look, Nik can make that happen with no problem!). Therefore, I keep my processing simple. I use Adobe products and NIK Software only. The fact is that with most images you could process them using only NIK SOFTWARE. Finally. There is literally not one image that I don t use Nik Software with. Though I may not use all 6 programs, I use Define 2.0 in every one, Viveza2 and Sharpener 3.0 in almost every one, In more than half I ll use one or 2 effects from Color Efex 3.0. Silver Efex Pro is simple the accepted B&W conversion software of the pros. A COMPLETE SYSTEM: NIK SOFTWARE today consists of 5 programs. Complete descriptions can be found below. From removing noise to restoring color, sharpening, color effects and B&W conversion Nik software is second to one when it comes to making your images look first class. NIK S state of the art HDR PRO program makes HRD easy and fun. Images that just a short time ago that could not have been photographed can now be made using NIKS new HDR PRO software. WHAT SEPARATED NIK SOFTWARE FROM THE REST.THE BASICS: Have you ever processed an image using Lightroom, Photoshop or Photoshop elements and determined that you wanted the sky to be bluer, or that tree to be greener? To accomplish this you can easily add saturation and pick out either blue or green, or which ever color you want to increase. However, the problem is that as you increase that certain color, you ll add the color to the entire image as well as the area you re improving. You could do this by creating time consuming layer masks, or by selectively adding color to a certain area. This takes time (remember I want to be in the field, not in front of the computer!). HERE COMES NIK TO THE RESCUE: Using the most unique and powerful image editing technology available today, NIK SOFTWARE S U Point powered controls allow you to precisely control where enhancements are applied without the need for complicated selections or layer masks. Enhancements are automatically and naturally blended throughout your image for spectacular results in literally seconds. Also the precision used by NIK is vastly improved over what s available in most programs today. Control Points Easily control color, light, and structure with U Point powered control points. Simple-to-use sliders let you quickly adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, structure, shadows, red, green, blue, hue, and warmth, giving you ultimate control over your image. Now includes a new grouping feature for even more power.

3 DEFINE 2.0 Virtually, all digital cameras inherently create unwanted imperfections known as noise. The amount or type of noise in an image typically depends on the quality and type of imaging sensor with which it was created. Noise typically shows up in the brighter, highly colored areas and in areas of increased contrast. Contrast (Luminance) Noise and Color (Chrominance) Noise can be individually present in an image or might be seen in the same image. Fast or high ISO speeds and low light levels can add noise to images, while some images might exhibit high levels of JPEG artifacts. Define 2.0 gives you unprecedented control over exactly how much and where to apply noise reduction. This makes it ultra-easy to eliminate noise in your images while maintaining detail and sharpness, thus improving the quality of every digital photo you take. Define 2.0 is designed to prevent the loss of detail other noise reduction tools often introduce. In literally a few clicks virtually all noise is removed. Nothing else works like this.. VIVEZA 2

4 RAW FILE, unprocessed Final image Notice the greens in the trees. By using Viveza 2 I could control each area of green, adding just the right amount of color, contrast and structure I wanted. Without Viveza 2, the entire image would be much greener and look unnatural. Viveza 2 is the most powerful tool to selectively control color and light in your photographs Viveza 2 brings a whole new time-saving dimension to your image editing. No complicated selections or layer masks to wear you down. Point, click, slide and voilá - your image looks great. Now featuring global adjustments, fine-detail structure control, and shadow recovery. Viveza 2 will forever change the way you edit images. For Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, and Apple Aperture Creating great photography involves mastery of color and light. Powered by Nik Software s patented U Point technology, new Viveza 2 allows photographers of any skill level to quickly enhance their images using innovative tools designed for speed and efficiency. From precise selective enhancements using U Point powered control points to adjustments that enhance the entire image, Viveza 2 helps you spend more time shooting photographs and will forever change the w Structure Adjustment Enhance or reduce fine details in your images for the ultimate look. NEW: Shadow Adjustments Never lose shadow detail again. Easily recover details hidden in shadows selectively with a control point or apply image-wide.

5 RAW FILE, unprocessed Final image Viveza 2 was used here to bring out the blue sky, brown fields and green tree. All this color was there in the raw file, but selectively brought out using the control or U point technology found ONLY in Viveza 2 Using the shadows and structure functions in Viveza 2 I was able to bring out areas that would have been darker and less appealing to the viewer in this image. Viveza is MORE than just a color tool.

6 COLOR EFEX PRO 3.0 Note the use of the Glamour Glow effect in the bottom image, taken in the Portland Japanese Gardens in Portland Oregon. I really love the results.

7 Color Efex Pro 3.0 is both a lot of fun as well as very useful. Was to add a vignette? Want to add a skylight filter? Want to add some soft focus? These features and 49 other filters are available in Color Efex Pro 3.0. Nik Software Color Efex Pro 3.0 filters are the leading photographic filters for digital photography. The award-winning Color Efex Pro 3.0 filters are widely used by many of today's professional photographers around the world to save time and get professional level results. Whether you choose the Complete Edition, Select Edition, or Standard Edition, you ll get traditional and stylizing filters that offer virtually endless possibilities to enhance and transform images quickly and easily. Again, Nik s patented U Point technology provides the ultimate control to selectively apply enhancements without the need for any complicated masks, layers or selections. Control color, light and tonality in your images and create unique enhancements with professional results. With 52 filters and over 250 effects found in Color Efex Pro 3.0, you can perform high quality retouching, color correction and endless creative enhancements to your photographs. Updates to old favorites such as Classical Soft Focus, Darken/Lighten Center, and Vignette filters are joined by exciting new filters Film Effects, Glamour Glow, High Key, Tonal Contrast, Bleach Bypass, and more. The result is nothing less than the most complete, most useful collection of photographic filters you can add to your toolkit. HAVING SOME FUN AWITH COLOR EFEX PRO 3.0 I use some pro contrast and a few of the fun filters in Color Efex Pro 3.0 to enhance the effect of this old rusted but colorful fishing boat in Newport Oregon, harbor. Sometimes its fun to let yourself go and experiment. Color Efex Pro 3.0 can provide endless opportunities to do just that.

8 I used the skylight filter, the brilliance and warmth filter in this image. I than added a very slight vignette to the image using the vignette filter in Color Efex 3.0 Pro

9 SILVER EFEX PRO Silver Efex Pro 2 gives you all the power and control you need to create high quality black and white images.

10 In the past, black and white tools often meant compromising on the quality of the conversion or required a complex and lengthy multi-step process that didn't ensure predictable results. We set out to create a single workflow solution that provides everything you need for the highest quality results. Start with dozens of visual presets as starting points. If you like what you see, you're done. If you want to go further, use an extensive set of global controls such as brightness, contrast, saturation, structure, film types, toning, and much more to craft your image. Selective editing and finishing touches For the ultimate in selective enhancements, look no further than the revolutionary U Point technology for incredibly precise selections and adjustments. You can even use the Zone Map built into the software to help guide your edits. Finally, add a vignette, burn in the edges, or add a natural image border to finish your black and white masterpiece. Experimenting is fast and fun, especially with the ability to compare different editing states with the brand new History Browser.

11 HDR EFEX PRO High Dynamic Range photography is a process in which multiple exposures are captured, aligned and merged to generate a single image that enables a much wider range of colors and tonality. Use HDR techniques to enhance and create images from realistic to artistic HDR Efex Pro is the new standard for creating realistic to artistic HDR images with a revolutionary new all-in-one workflow. HDR Efex Pro includes many one-click visual presets, advanced tone mapping algorithms, powerful HDR controls, and patented U Point technology. From realistic to artistic, and every style in between, HDR Efex Pro is the new standard for HDR imaging. In order to bring you the ultimate in HDR software, we developed four proprietary tone mapping algorithms. Unlike other applications, which only have only a single tone mapping algorithm, HDR Efex Pro s multiple tone mapping algorithms truly enable a broader range of results. Spectacular visuals. By incorporating multiple proprietary tone mapping algorithms HDR Efex Pro can support whatever unique look you choose for a particular image. You can add a realistic, subtle touch to your landscape or interior scene, or you can also pick an artistic preset and increase the structure to create a truly unique look. With HDR Efex Pro there are no limits.

12 Here is a set of 5 images taken at Ft. Point in San Francisco. I used a 1.5 stop setting. (-3, -1.5, 0, +1.5, +3 ) The top mage on the right (also below) was the image shot with no compensation. Under normal circumstances this would have been the image that I would work on to try and make it look like the final image. I can guarantee that it would not be close to the results obtained by using NIK SOFTWARE S HDR PRO. Final image made of 5 images using HDR PRO This image would not have been possible without HDR processing. Nik made it simple and the results speak for themselves.

13 SHARPENER PRO 3.0 Professional Image Sharpening Every Time Sharpener Pro 3.0 is the most advanced and powerful sharpening solution eliminating the guesswork typically required for achieving superior and consistent results. New adaptive sharpening algorithms and award-winning U Point technology for selective sharpening ensure desired sharpness or creative softening of details are easily accomplished. The Sharpening Soft Proof that lets you accurately inspect results before printing saving money in costly test prints, improved handling of new output devices, and new output presets provide repeatable, professional results. Sharpener Pro 3.0 is the only tool that provides controls for both output and creative detail sharpening of different objects quickly and easily without the need to make different adjustment layers for each object or area. A recognized leader in digital imaging technology, Nik Software has developed class-leading solutions to specific challenges photographers face when sharpening images throughout the photographic workflow and packaged them in one convenient toolset. Use Sharpener Pro 3.0 to regain clarity in digital images, draw the viewer s attention to the focal point of an image and achieve professional, high quality sharpened images every time.

14 A QUICK WALK THROUGH IN MY PROCESSING. Every photographer processes differently, in different stages. However most pro s all process pretty much the same with a few variations. Here is a quick walkthrough that you ll see my presentation. 1) Bring the image into Camera RAW 2) Make necessary adjustments in Lightroom. I do NOT make and saturation, hue or luminosity, highlight and shadow adjustments or layers or curves here. 3) Using Define 2.0 I remove noise. 4) Using Viveza 2 I make adjustments as I see fit to the image 5) If I want to use Color Efex Pro, now s the time. 6) I now add sharpening using Sharpener Pro 3.0 7) I bring the image into Photoshop and just check my layers and adjust if necessary. Usually after using NIK SOFTWARE there is little or no adjustment needed. 8) Done!! Print if required. (Preview in Sharpener Pro3.0 for accuracy). Yes that is easy. Thanks NIK SOFTWARE!