Nik software plug-ins: which benefit over LR?

**BigMackCam** · 03-27-2016, 01:19 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Spodeworld

Great. Thanks. That's good info.

Are there any other edits that are best done before going from LR to Nik?

I adjust the following in Lightroom before using any plug-ins:

White Balance
Exposure
Contrast
Blacks / Whites
Highlights/ Shadows
Clarity
Vibrance
Color Noise Reduction (always the default 25 for me - I find LR6 colour noise reduction to beat any of the other apps & plug-ins hands down)
Luminance Noise Reduction (zero if I'm going to use Dfine 2 - otherwise adjusted to suit)
Sharpening (zero if I'm going to use Sharpener Pro: RAW pre-sharpener, otherwise adjusted to suit)
Lens Corrections (lens profile corrections, horizon and verticals and distortion fine adjustments)
Camera Profile to ensure colour reproduction is accurate

I also crop in LR6.

Once I've got these right, I move on to the plug-ins or Photoshop Elements, if required (often, I just stick with my LR6 developed image and leave it at that)

Last edited by BigMackCam; 03-27-2016 at 03:30 PM.

reeftool · 03-28-2016, 11:50 AM

I just downloaded the now free Nik suite of plug ins and have yet to use them. The plug ins I currently have is software I use when I can't adjust it in Lightroom or easily do in Photoshop or want a particular effect. I find Lightroom very capable and it does well over 90% of my PP needs. I subscribe to CC and I rarely use Photoshop but it's nice to have when I need it (and yeah, I have to take out one of Kelby's books when I do use it). I have a couple of ON 1 plug ins which don't get used much and I probably won't use the Nik Suite much either but for free, why not?

**Kerrowdown** · 03-28-2016, 01:20 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by reeftool

I probably won't use the Nik Suite much either but for free, why not?

That's kinda my view too.

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03-27-2016, 01:19 PM - 1 Like	#16
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,669	Originally posted by Spodeworld Great. Thanks. That's good info. Are there any other edits that are best done before going from LR to Nik? I adjust the following in Lightroom before using any plug-ins: White Balance Exposure Contrast Blacks / Whites Highlights/ Shadows Clarity Vibrance Color Noise Reduction (always the default 25 for me - I find LR6 colour noise reduction to beat any of the other apps & plug-ins hands down) Luminance Noise Reduction (zero if I'm going to use Dfine 2 - otherwise adjusted to suit) Sharpening (zero if I'm going to use Sharpener Pro: RAW pre-sharpener, otherwise adjusted to suit) Lens Corrections (lens profile corrections, horizon and verticals and distortion fine adjustments) Camera Profile to ensure colour reproduction is accurate I also crop in LR6. Once I've got these right, I move on to the plug-ins or Photoshop Elements, if required (often, I just stick with my LR6 developed image and leave it at that) Last edited by BigMackCam; 03-27-2016 at 03:30 PM.

03-28-2016, 11:50 AM	#17
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	I just downloaded the now free Nik suite of plug ins and have yet to use them. The plug ins I currently have is software I use when I can't adjust it in Lightroom or easily do in Photoshop or want a particular effect. I find Lightroom very capable and it does well over 90% of my PP needs. I subscribe to CC and I rarely use Photoshop but it's nice to have when I need it (and yeah, I have to take out one of Kelby's books when I do use it). I have a couple of ON 1 plug ins which don't get used much and I probably won't use the Nik Suite much either but for free, why not?

03-28-2016, 01:20 PM - 1 Like	#18
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	Originally posted by reeftool I probably won't use the Nik Suite much either but for free, why not? That's kinda my view too.

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