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  • Welcome to the new site. Here's a thread about the update where you can post your feedback, ask questions or spot those nasty bugs!

Nik Filters are now Free!

Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Maggie Terlecki said:
https://www.google.com/nikcollection/

Google has released the Nik Collection of Filters for Photography for free.

Thought everyone would like to know!

:)
Maggie
Click to expand...

They did the several years back! This is a major bargain! Everyone should have these filters. It is eapwcially useful for sharpening based on output needs and print type and size. Also the black and white conversions are superb!

De noise is perhaps better in either Topaz or DXO.

Asher
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
fahim mohammed said:
Those of us who bought them at premium prices are shafted.

Excellent set of filters.
Click to expand...

No you are not, my friend. If folk had not financed Nik originally, then it would have croaked early on. You helped the entire ecological niche in which Nik flourished and you will benefit from enhancements they develop under Google's umbrella.

Asher
 
Jerome Marot

Jerome Marot

Well-known member
This probably means that Google plans on no further investments in the Nik software. It hasn't received any updates lately, and probably, isn't going to be supported in the future. Giving it away for free means they believe it is totally dispensable, now that they got what they wanted (Snapseed) out of it.
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Jerome Marot said:
This probably means that Google plans on no further investments in the Nik software. It hasn't received any updates lately, and probably, isn't going to be supported in the future. Giving it away for free means they believe it is totally dispensable, now that they got what they wanted (Snapseed) out of it.
Click to expand...
You may be right, Jerome.

On1 has given out free versions as a way of expanding its mailing list. So it could be that this is the end of development or that perhaps Google is also harvesting more emails of photographers who are savvy enough to do photoediting.

Still, it does show other companies what filters are popular and creates a standard for them to match.

That's my positive take on the matter.

But yes, likely as not this is bad news!

Asher
 
Jerome Marot

Jerome Marot

Well-known member
Asher Kelman said:
Still, it does show other companies what filters are popular and creates a standard for them to match.
Click to expand...

How are they supposed to run a business when a competitor is dumping an excellent product on the market for free? Basically google's move not only ends development for Nik software, it also kills competitors like Macphun or Topaz labs.

Maybe we should be concerned about this change as photographers. Besides, it is not the only case of formally expensive photo software which became free. For example Capture One is now free with Sony cameras and Apple replaced Aperture with Photos, which is free with any Apple device. Probably, that change means that something fundamental has changed in photography, I wonder what.
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Jerome,

I find myself using Topaz more than Nik and would pay to get any upgrades. I would hope that others would spread the word as to how useful Topaz filters are even when you own Nik.

Occasionally, when Topaz is not readily delivering what I need, I turn to Nik and usually rewarded.

As to the concern about a movement of give advanced editing software for free crushing small companies, you are probably right. This is a horrible barrier for any group of programmers to overcome. Still, Capture one Express is "free" for Sony cameras, sure, but that doesn't have the full array of features of Capture one Pro and doesn't work with some 400 other cameras! To their advantage, Phase One gets a list of prospective buyers for software and hardware!

Neverthe less, the effect that you predict on other great products from less powerful companies is very real. Nonetheless, The high price of Photoshop and the ramarkable capabilities of far less expensive software like On1, DXO, Affinity and more might help keep small companies in business if these can take the filter programs as plugins.

Asher
 
Tom Dinning

Tom Dinning

pro member
Jerome Marot said:
How are they supposed to run a business when a competitor is dumping an excellent product on the market for free? Basically google's move not only ends development for Nik software, it also kills competitors like Macphun or Topaz labs.

Maybe we should be concerned about this change as photographers. Besides, it is not the only case of formally expensive photo software which became free. For example Capture One is now free with Sony cameras and Apple replaced Aperture with Photos, which is free with any Apple device. Probably, that change means that something fundamental has changed in photography, I wonder what.
Click to expand...

Did I see a gift horse galloping by?
Now I can get pictures like Maggie and Charlotte.


"I wonder what" I believe this is a paraphrase of the words of Talbot.
Don't we all wonder?
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Tom dinning said:
Did I see a gift horse galloping by?
Now I can get pictures like Maggie and Charlotte.


"I wonder what" I believe this is a paraphrase of the words of Talbot.
Don't we all wonder?
Click to expand...

I don't like this wonderfully crafted clever quip of yours, Tom.

Why? After all you have great wit, are a keen observer of behaviors and your photography is anyway always engaging and often admirable.

Because in your many erudite comments, I don't remember you having ever liked Maggie's work. I do; I admire her ability to use pastel colors to insert mood in her presentations. But it's fair to say, you have never expressed delight in her cyans. In fact you have been quite hostile to the nth to much she shows. So this clever quip is actually a sneaky and demeaning put down of Maggie's post-processing, (although she has no need to use added filters like Nik or anything else you might imagine.

As to Charlotte, that's your clever "cover" while you deftly put down Maggie. In this case, you've never mocked her work as you have done to Maggie. In fact you have been a super courteous and commendable gentleman. BTW, I am not sure you could reproduce her quality if you tried and anyway it would be quite pointless. But at least, in your posts you have shown considerable appreciation of Charlotte's layered and nuanced blending of old pictures.

Yes your quip, Tom was quick and very, very clever!

Likely as not, only 3 people understood what you were doing. That was the special fun of it. You could direct a sharp arrow and merely seem witty and quick. But one shouldn't use one's gift of above average intelligence this way!

You are asked not to refer to Maggie's work from now on in any way as I have asked you repeatedly privately and you now are being told formally.

Any future remarks mocking her will be deleted and I will not ask you again. Critique of anyone else's work is fine, personal put downs, however are against the TOS.

We do appreciate humor. However, after a long track record have bashing a single person, it's time to publicly to say, enough is enough.

Asher
 
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Tom Dinning

Tom Dinning

pro member
Asher Kelman said:
I don't like this wonderfully crafted clever quip of yours, Tom.

Why? After all you have great wit, are a keen observer of behaviors and your photography is anyway always engaging and often admirable.

Because in your many erudite comments, I don't remember you having ever liked Maggie's work. I do; I admire her ability to use pastel colors to insert mood in her presentations. But it's fair to say, you have never expressed delight in her cyans. In fact you have been quite hostile to the nth to much she shows. So this clever quip is actually a sneaky and demeaning put down of Maggie's post-processing, (although she has no need to use added filters like Nik or anything else you might imagine.

As to Charlotte, that's your clever "cover" while you deftly put down Maggie. In this case, you've never mocked her work as you have done to Maggie. In fact you have been a super courteous and commendable gentleman. BTW, I am not sure you could reproduce her quality if you tried and anyway it would be quite pointless. But at least, in your posts you have shown considerable appreciation of Charlotte's layered and nuanced blending of old pictures.

Yes your quip, Tom was quick and very, very clever!

Likely as not, only 3 people understood what you were doing. That was the special fun of it. You could direct a sharp arrow and merely seem witty and quick. But one shouldn't use one's gift of above average intelligence this way!

You are asked not to refer to Maggie's work from now on in any way as I have asked you repeatedly privately and you now are being told formally.

Any future remarks mocking her will be deleted and I will not ask you again. Critique of anyone else's work is fine, personal put downs, however are against the TOS.

We do appreciate humor. However, after a long track record have bashing a single person, it's time to publicly to say, enough is enough.

Asher
Click to expand...

Today is hot! F-ing hot!! My under-wear is creeping. I'm irritable. My normal demeanour has deteriorated into a sarcastic rage.
Just don't get me started, Ash, old man.

For your information I downloaded Nik to search for the meaning of life and discovered a bag of sweets; enough to rot the teeth of the most ardent photographer.

Here's my samplings'

_DSC1391 by Tom Dinning, on Flickr


_DSC1404 by Tom Dinning, on Flickr​

Nothing to write home about, in spite of there being no-one at home.

On the matter of 'like' and 'dislike', I float neither boat in regard to photographs or photographers.

Maggie and Charlotte do a fine job in a genre not familiar to me. I might not understand them but I am not going to judge them as people or photographers. The difference might be more in their own diversity more than mine from theirs.

Once again, I point out your propensity to assume the thoughts of others. I'm sure the members here can speak for themselves. I've never known a woman who couldn't (speak for themselves and others).

Besides, how do you know I was being anything else but honest? And if only three people understood my assumed intention I would consider that a keen response.

Now go back to your statue and behave.

How's the powder coating going by the way?


xxxx
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Thanks for the response. Now go and enjoy Nik!

It might surprise you, not necessarily by "how it might modify your current pictures", but "how it might perhaps make us see new possible compositions in future situations". Nik can push boundaries of that is to what just might be.

Asher
 
M

Maggie Terlecki

Moderator
oh, I have just seen this and am sorry but have not used any filters to achieve what I do (either that you love or hate) and I don't know about Charlotte but she seems to be using blending modes etc., I was offered these by as they were free by a friend and thought to share the luck with you all here. I have not posted any of my work I've done in quite some while here and had thought to but then held back. Guess that was a good call. I have shared with others (including Antonio) but others elsewhere had liked much of it even bought some of it.

Guess it shows what you all think of my work, how silly of me to want to share here!
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Maggie Terlecki said:
oh, I have just seen this and am sorry but have not used any filters to achieve what I do (either that you love or hate) and I don't know about Charlotte but she seems to be using blending modes etc., I was offered these by as they were free by a friend and thought to share the luck with you all here. I have not posted any of my work I've done in quite some while here and had thought to but then held back. Guess that was a good call. I have shared with others (including Antonio) but others elsewhere had liked much of it even bought some of it.

Guess it shows what you all think of my work, how silly of me to want to share here!
Click to expand...

Maggie,

I think you misread the discussion. There is only one person here who has ever said a squeak against your work and I am any way a huge fan and so are more than a few others! It is not a good call to hold back in sharing. Not everyone appreciates my work. I post what I like!

Anyway, your link to getting a fabulous set of Nik filters for free is so appreciated!

Asher
 
Tom Dinning

Tom Dinning

pro member
I'm a Topaz fan myself. I can't afford all of them but I use what I have.
You're right again, Asher. Having the potential buried in the subconscious while photographing certainly broadens the possibilities. Knowing what we can do adds to what we choose to do.
And when it's done by the press of a key or adjustment of a slider I'm with it all the way.

In this forum there are many versions of what each of us see. That is enabled by our skill with the camera and software as well as our learnt behaviors.
 
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Robert Watcher

Robert Watcher

Well-known member
I personally have no hangups with Nik being made freely available to everyone. I find it to be one of the most useful softwares to compliment Lightroom or even Photoshop for that matter. With my Custom Recipes for both colour and black and white, Nik is a one stop final processing step that expands upon Lightroom processing and works seamlessly from within it. I purchased a couple of Topaz filters a couple years ago, but never use them in my workflow. Just a note related to this free offering. Tim Grey is now providing his Nik instructions free of charge to compliment Google's offer - http://greylearning.com/courses/nik-bundle
 
Don Ferguson Jr.

Don Ferguson Jr.

Well-known member
Robert Watcher said:
I personally have no hangups with Nik being made freely available to everyone. I find it to be one of the most useful softwares to compliment Lightroom or even Photoshop for that matter. With my Custom Recipes for both colour and black and white, Nik is a one stop final processing step that expands upon Lightroom processing and works seamlessly from within it. I purchased a couple of Topaz filters a couple years ago, but never use them in my workflow. Just a note related to this free offering. Tim Grey is now providing his Nik instructions free of charge to compliment Google's offer - http://greylearning.com/courses/nik-bundle
Click to expand...

Nice, Robert appreciate the link.
Don
 
Doug Kerr

Doug Kerr

Well-known member
Can the various filters in the Nik Collection be used as stand-alone applications (as contrasted to as plug-ins to an application such as Photoshop, Lightroom, or Grand Theft Auto).

Yes.

Is it handy to do that?

Except for HDR Efex Pro 2, not at all.

For the other tools (Windows versions), one must drag the victim file onto an appearance of the program's EXE file in an Explorer window .

Then, after doing the work, using Save (the only available operation to deal with the result) will overwrite the source file with the modified file and close the app.

Woof! Not even a kiss goodbye.

Clearly these tools were not intended for that form of combat. Or wombat.

HDR Efex Pro 2 has a rudimentary File menu, with Open Images, Save Image As, and the always popular Quit.

Best regards,

Doug
 
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