I saw a blurb on one of my feeds several days ago about Google making their Nik Collection (a photo editing tool) free.
You can read about it here.
The software, which was previously sold for $149, is now being offered for free by Google.
I, of course, tool whore that I am, immediately downloaded it. However, I hadn’t had the chance to play with it until today.
Basically, it’s akin to other filter programs – you install the software, and if you have Photoshop (which I do), it adds a box when you open up Photoshop.
So I opened up an old photo file and started playing. 🙂
It’s very similar to Perfect Effects, though you can use this while in Photoshop, rather than having to open a separate program. Handy!
I didn’t try out all the filters, but I have to say, I am very impressed with the ones I did try.
With a few simple clicks, I was able to make some pretty amazing changes to the photo I was working with.
Unlike Perfect Effects, the Nik Collection offers a lot more options when working with the filters/effects.
This is the original photo I chose to experiment on.
After opening up Photoshop, and picking out a filter in Nik, this is what the photo looked like:
I love how the filter really brought out the texture of the fur.
The shadows are darker, and the background has a lot more texture.
I was able to adjust things like saturation and hue via Nik, without having to touch anything in Photoshop.
So if you like being able to add filters and effects but don’t like fiddling around with the all the little details, you can. If you like fiddling around with all the little details, you can do that too. 🙂
This was another filter I tried, and I love how it looks. Again, the filter helped to bring out some of the details in the original photo.
The name of the filter is ‘nostalgic’ in the Film Efex in Nik. So adorable!
Though Nik can be used in conjunction with Photoshop, it can also be used on its own.
So if you’ve been looking for a program to help edit your photos, but didn’t want to pay out a bunch of $, Google has just made your day. 🙂
Did I mention it’s completely FREE?!!
Get your free copy here.
A Kat and A Mouse 
All but the HDR Efex Pro 2 are compatible with Photoshop Elements which is what I have, although it doesn’t mention the lastest version, 14. They certainly made you photo pop! Very nice.
Well, yay that it is compatible! Always nice to have another tool to play with, especially when it’s free! 😛