So as you might know, google recently bought Nik Software, makers of the Nik Collection – a Lightroom/Photoshop plugin suite for applying image effects, noise reduction, sharpening, HDR and black and white conversion. The suite used to cost $500.

There’s probably loads of places you can read more about the Nik Collection on the web (starting at http://www.niksoftware.com/ ), so I won’t go into all that, but regardless of whatever motive google might have for buying Nik, they’ve reduced what used to be a $500 collection to $149. That’s still a lot of money, but they’re a professional level collection.

I decided to download the 15 day trial and give them a go. Above is the result, it consisted of a black and white conversion, editing the levels using control points then a bit of noise reduction. The only weakness I found was with their border filter which only allowed mainly white backgrounds with almost no customisation, so the border was added in photoshop.

I’m definitely liking the Nik Collection so far and hoping that Googles reduction in price doesn’t mean they’re going to stop support – regardless of all that I’m thinking it might be my next buy!