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DxO Announces Availability of the Nik Collection by DxO 2018 v1.1

I’ve been a longtime user and fan of the Nik Collection. So that’s why I’m happy to see that DxO has continued developing the software after they acquired the rights to develop the software from Google. Prior to Google offering it for no fee for a while (when it was sold by Nik Software), the Collection cost hundreds of dollars, and in my opinion is still worth hundreds of dollars…as long as you use it of course :). The cost of the 2018 v1.1 bundle today is $69.

Featured in the latest version of the Nik Collection by DxO are the following seven plugins (Descriptions courtesy DxO):

• Analog Efex Pro, a classic lens, camera, and analog film simulator.
• Color Efex Pro, for color corrections, retouching, and creative effects.
• Dfine, which reduces noise in digital images.
• HDR Efex Pro, for editing HDR images.
• Sharpener Pro, for increasing the precision and detail of digital images.
• Silver Efex Pro, a black-and-white converter inspired by dark room techniques.
• Viveza, for locally adjusting color and the tonality of specific areas within the image.

Nik Collection by DxO can be opened with a number of other programs, including DxO PhotoLab 2, Serif Affinity Photo, Skylum Luminar, and other image processing software that features an export menu to a third-party program (or that’s compatible with Photoshop plugins).”

As I mentioned earlier, the cost of the Collection for Mac or Windows users is US $69 (£59 / €69). Users who purchased Nik Collection by DxO after June 2018 may update their software for free, and you can find a free 30 day trial HERE, as well as link to purchase the collection.

SUGGESTED WORKFLOW

I found this page very interesting on DxO’s website regarding a suggested workflow when using the plugins in the Collection. I generally use only one or two of their plugins for any one image, but it can be helpful to see what they recommend. For many more specific tutorials, I recommend entering the specific plugin name and tutorial into the search bar on YouTube.com. Below is one specific video tutorial by Serge Ramelli that covers both Lightroom and Silver Efex Pro that I found particularly good.

Official technical support from DxO for the Collection is available in the following languages:

English
French
Japanese
German

And the software is available in the following languages:

English
French
Italian
Spanish
Japanese
German
Portuguese
Chinese
Dutch
Korean
Polish
Russian
Thai
Turkish

As I noted above, the current cost of the Collection for Mac or Windows users is US $69 (£59 / €69), and users who purchased Nik Collection by DxO after June 2018 may update their software for free. You can find a free 30 day trial HERE, as well as link to purchase the Collection.

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Free Trade Show Pass and Tips for Getting the Most from the PhotoPlus Expo 2018 in New York City

2019 UPDATE! Looking for a Free Expo Pass for the 2019 PhotoPlus Expo being held in New York City from 10/24-26, 2019? Check out my article about the 2019 show HERE. Or to go right to the page with the free passes (available online until Wed. 10/23 and then $25 on-site at the show), visit THIS PAGE.

It’s that time again! The PhotoPlus Expo 2018 is returning to New York City from Thursday, 10/25 to Saturday, 10/27/2018. It’s always one of the highlights of my year, and if you are interested in just about anything related to photography and/or video, I think you’ll really enjoy the show. It’s the largest photography trade show in North America (over 200 exhibitors), and it’s always filled with gear, free expo floor talks, model and still-life photo opportunities, photo walks, workshops, and much more. I should also note that even if you can’t attend the show, you can sign up for updates on the show site (link to the show newsletter is on the bottom right of PhotoPlusExpo.com) to get news updates and special offers from PDN (Photo District News) and photo-related companies.

With that, I have a few items to share with you below. The first is a short video overview of the show which should give you a feel for what you might see and experience at the show. Also, here’s a link to a great article about the show from the folks at Fstoppers, one of my favorite photo blogs. That article also has a code for a free three-day trade show pass when you register online, as well as info on how to save if you decide to sign up for any of the workshops or related opportunities that are available. However, the Conference Pass is completely optional. I’ve found the paid conference seminars to be excellent, but there are many educational opportunities available right on the show floor.

And this year, for the second time, the PhotoPlus Expo will be co-located with the NYVR Expo. Your Expo pass allows you to see what they have on their show floor.

A FEW QUICK TIPS FOR GETTING THE MOST FROM THE SHOW

The ability to see different papers, print processes, try out different cameras, lenses and other equipment on the show floor are main reasons why many people come to the show. I highly recommend bringing a few extra SD and/or CF cards to put in any cameras that you’d like to test out so that you can bring the photos/videos home with you (just make sure they don’t have important images on them and make sure the cards are not too important/expensive, because you may forget them when you move to the next booth!).

I also recommend having a card with a few high-res images that you’d like to have printed if the opportunity presents itself. Also, I highly recommend having a safe and dust-free place for your current lens to go while you are testing other lenses (if you are putting lenses on your camera, which is a perfect way to see if a specific lens might be right for you). And to keep track of papers, printers and print processes that you see and that you’d like to check out after the show, I recommend having a notebook and pen ready to jot down your favorites (or you can do that digitally via a notes app or by sending yourself text messages. Keeping track of all the names can get confusing!

PREVIOUS SHOW REPORTS

Here are a few of my previous show reports that I believe can be very helpful when deciding what booths to visit during the show:
• 2017 PhotoPlus Expo Show Report
• 2016 PhotoPlus Expo Show Report

SPECIAL NOTE – EPSON PRINT ACADEMY

This year (like last year) Epson will host their “Print Academy” in Booth #707. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from many icons in the world of image editing, printing and photography. The people who are scheduled to speak (schedule shown below) are: Vincent Versace, Julieanne Kost, Matt Kloskowski, John Paul Caponigro and Mac Holbert. I’m honored to say that Mac Holbert is one of the guest artists featured in my book, 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques. To see the full release about the Epson Print Academy (including some special glasses they’ll be demonstrating for drone photography), visit this page.

AN EXHIBITION NOT TO BE MISSED

This year, there will be an exhibition of art prints at Icon Gallery (Booth #1103) by John Paul Caponigro and NYC Dance Project’s Ken Browar and Deborah Ory. If the exhibition is anything like last year’s show that featured the work of Robert Farber (a photo can be seen below from that exhibition), it will be spectacular.

The exhibition prints and finishing from the 2017 and 2018 Icon Gallery shows were produced by Blazing Editions (they are in Booth #1113 at this year’s show). It’s difficult to express in words the quality of the printing and finishing (mounting, framing, custom cutting, etc.) by Blazing Editions. I highly recommend taking some time to visit the show, as well as the Blazing Editions booth. They specialize in metal printing, and they have samples of the same image printed using different finishes, which can help a lot when deciding on the look for a particular project that you (or possibly one of your clients) might have in mind.

The PhotoPlus Expo only comes around once a year, and I hope to see you there!

All the best,
Andrew

P.S. I also welcome you to join any of our Meetup Groups if you would like to be invited to attend other events like photo walks, workshops, etc. in the future.

P.P.S In case you missed that link to the Fstoppers article to find the code for the free 2018 PhotoPlus Expo trade show pass, here it is.

https://www.meetup.com/The-Art-of-Photography-and-Photoshop/

https://www.meetup.com/nj-shore-shooters/

https://www.meetup.com/NY-NJ-Photoshoot-Club/

P.P.P.S. If you don’t receive my ImagingBuffet.com newsletter updates and would like to receive them, as well as some Lightroom and workflow videos, you can sign up here.

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How to Display Your File Names and Much More Over Your Photos in Lightroom Classic CC

Lightroom Classic CC is a fantastic application for cataloging photos, but because this feature is turned off by default, many people don’t realize that you can display important information about each photo, video or other image file in the Library Module just above each photo. To do that, we need to select the View Options menu item. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial for the process:

1. To access the Library View Options dialog box (shown below), choose View>View Options under the top menu. Then check Show Grid Extras and select Expanded Cells from the dropdown menu to add any four criteria from a large selection of options (Compact cells can hold up to two items).

2. There are a number of other options you can also choose, such as how strong a tint to apply to cells if you’ve chosen a color label for them, but the most important options to edit in my opinion can be found under Expanded Cell Options. There, you can select from many different choices, including the File Name, Extension (JPG, TIFF, RAW files, etc), Rating, and even camera EXIF data, such as Shutter Speed and ISO. You can see some of the options I commonly use in the screenshot. I also like to check Show Rating Footer with Include Color Label and Include Rotation Buttons selected, so that I can quickly see how many stars (or which label) I’ve assigned specific images.

EXTRA SUPER SECRET TIP!

Did you know that you can also right click (Control Click on Mac OS) on any of the criteria above any photo to change what’s displayed? I always look for time-saving tips like this!

I hope that this tip has been very helpful.

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If you don’t receive my email updates, I invite you to sign up below (if you are already signed up, the system will let you know). When you sign up, you will instantly receive links and passwords to three Lightroom workflow videos, PLUS a link to a guide to help you select the right file sizes for making fine-art or other prints.

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All the best, thanks for stopping by, and I hope that you enjoy the show if you attend!

UPCOMING LIGHTROOM WORKSHOP

I’m really looking forward to returning to the NJ Media Center in Berkeley Heights, NJ on Sunday, October 14, 2018 to teach the following full-day workshop on Lightroom editing and printing. I’m offering a 1 hr 45 minute follow-up one-on-one consultation (a $300+ value) for those who register by Friday, 10/5/2018.

Mastering Fine-Art Printing with Lightroom w/ Andrew Darlow

Date: Sun. 10/14/2018
Investment: $167 + $30 Materials fee (Total: $197)

Lightroom Classic CC offers many powerful features, but without a good foundation and understanding of its tools, it’s easy to get frustrated. In this full day lecture and hands-on workshop, I will focus on helping you get the most from your images from start to finish.

Here’s what one participant had to say about a similar workshop: “I’m a full-frame DSLR camera user and I have a considerable amount of experience with Photoshop. However, I didn’t know how to organize my photographs properly, and I was getting frustrated trying to edit my photos inside of Lightroom. The full-day workshop had a lot of information, but it was very well presented, in an easy to follow way. Andrew is extremely professional and he managed a very diverse group, keeping everyone happy and on-course, which is not easy. I picked up a lot of editing tips and shortcuts that would have been much more time consuming for me to research online on my own.” – Branch Watkins

View the Workshop PDF and Register Today!

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P.S. I also welcome you to join any of our three Meetup Groups if you would like to be invited to attend events like photo walks, workshops, etc. in the future.

https://www.meetup.com/nj-shore-shooters/

https://www.meetup.com/NY-NJ-Photoshoot-Club/