11 Roundhouse Punches from Nik Software’s HDR Efex Pro That Puts the Competition on the Mat

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hdr_efx image 1. Nik Software has “trained” HDR Efex Pro to be the new “King of the Ring” whenever it goes face-to-face and jaw-to-jaw with its competitor, Photomatix.

Read real customer reviews of the Nik Software's HDR Efex Pro here.

2. The training started when the people at Nik Software went to photographers around the globe to discover Photomatix’s weaknesses, and then responded with a right/left combination of new features and capabilities.

3. What Nik Software learned immediately is that Photomatix can’t go it alone in the ring. It’s a pretender as a standalone program, not a contender. Nik Software knew it needed strong allies in its corner, so it didn’t hesitate to design HDR Efex Pro to be fully compatible, as a plugin, with Adobe Photoshop, Bridge and Lightroom and Apple Aperture.

These are the editing tools that millions of photographers have used for years, so Nik Software made it easy for any of them to continue to work in their favorite editor and also have immediate access to HDR Efex Pro’s many capabilities. This includes seamless integration with Smart Objects (for Photoshop CS4 and CS5 Extended Edition) and, for the first time, provides native support to work directly from Bridge (CS4 and CS5 only).

4. Many Photomatix fans have found that it doesn’t compare to HD Efex Pro’s moves and counterpunches as soon as it confirms the exposure of the three images that will become an HDR photo. HDR Efex Pro doesn’t hesitate to dominate the ring by immediately creating an image that is the first blow on the way to a knockout. It takes the fight directly to Photomatix, saving the ghost adjustments and alignment objects for future rounds.

5. Nik Software’s HDR Efex Pro uses a variety of techniques to give you more creative and realistic choices instead of the fine art, or almost surreal, look that many photographers complain has become a Photomatix trademark.

6. Another tactic that the many photographers Nik surveyed said should be included in HDR Efex Pro’s competitive strategy is more preset options. Nik responded by designing HDR Efex Pro with 4 tone-mapping algorithms compared to most contenders with just one.

7. Photographers new to HDR editing will find HDR Efex Pro’s 32 presets make the introductory process easier and allow them to start creating almost immediately. Nik Software has grouped all the presets very logically, so photographers can match the image they saw with the Realistic, Architectural or Landscape presets. For those that like to manipulate their images for ultimate creativity, they can choose the Artistic or Surreal presets.

Many photographers told Nik Software that they prefer to create HDR photos with a preset, and then refine their images. Beginning and intermediate photographers, specifically, said they wanted an HDR tool that made it easy to see their work, so they don’t spend too much time guessing.

8. The processing system of HDR Efex Pro is also putting Photomatix on the canvas. Although both software products share a number of adjustments, such as strength, saturation, contrast, etc., HDR Efex Pro knows how to finish the contest with the addition of Vignette and Levels & Curves. The Levels & Curves tool may be nearly identical to the same tool in Photoshop; however, when you add the ease of the presets in HDR Efex Pro, you’ll spend less time in Photoshop and more time sharing your results with the world.

9. Photomatix takes it on the chin when Nik Software revealed its secret weapon, which it calls U Point Technology. Now, you can select any point in your photo and adjust it 8 different ways. Many photographers find that this helps them modify areas of an image that are overexposed.

10.The referee is nearing the end of the mandatory 8-count and, for many photographers, Photomatix won’t be rising to its feet as long as HDR Efex Pro from Nik Software is standing over it.

11.For a limited time, you’ll save $60 off HDR Efex Pro’s regular price of $159.95, making it a very affordable and welcomed gift for just $99.95.

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