Nik Multimedia Color Efex Pro 2.0

Anyone who has used filters on a camera knows that a few like a polarizer get used quite frequently whereas special stylized filters like a cross screen get used very irregularly and are often forgotten about when you need them. At the same time putting on and taking off filters can become quite a juggling match when you have other equipment to deal with.

Some may find it advantageous to concern themselves with filters afterwards using Nik Color FX. They can be easily installed as plug-ins to Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro and because they work in 16 bit, there is no banding, posterization effects or gaps in the histogram. I also like the full control possible with adjustments for strength, rotation, brightness, contrast, brilliance, intensity, etc. as well as sample profiles to add to the choices. Being able to apply filter effects selectively to any part of the image is also a great asset as well.

The disadvantage is that the software package tends to be split between stylized filters and more regular filters with a choice of 3 packages which vary in the total number of filters each contains and which ones. As I am sure you can imagine, you would not likely use a stylized filter such as "Infrared Thermal Camera" very often but you would make use of a Skylight Filter. So from a purchasing point of view, one needs to decide how many filters in the package is one really likely to use. If it is a low number then the cost takes on a different perspective.

These filter packages are for photographers with a very good eye for detail, colour, contrast and lighting, and with a comfortable familiarity with Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro.

The filters work in 16 bit, can be used selectively on any part of an image, and they have individual controls and adjustments for each. They can be used as a faster approach to correcting a photo, than by using the regular procedures in Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro.

Some of the highly specialized filters such as "Weird lines" or "Pop Art" would likely see little use by many photographers which makes the used filters relatively more expensive.