Technique Tuesday: Test Driving All The New Features Of Viveza 2

Good Morning Everybody,

It seems no part of the country has been exempt from snow this year.  We just got hit with 9 inches or more of the white stuff all day yesterday with about 2 more inches expected today.  This is a view out our back door to our deck. I love the snow so LaDawn and I are planning a snow photo walk later today. Now where are those boots?  ;~)

Test Driving All The New Features Of Viveza 2

Hey gang, I'm really fired up today.  I just received my brand new copy of Viveza 2, loaded it up on the computer, and ran it through it's paces.  Wow!!! Is this a cool piece of software or what?  I love it.  It's easy, intuitive, and fun to use.

I know, lots of folks are going to be wondering what’s new in Viveza 2 - here is the quick list:

• Global adjustments - All the adjustments that were previously available in Viveza 1 are now available in the new interface and give the user the ability to apply them globally.

• "Structure" adjustment slider - this slider brings a brand new tool to the table that lets you adjust localized contrasts.  You might think its like Lightroom's "Clarity" slider but it is different enough to warrant a look.  I like the effect if gives to the images.

• "Shadow" adjustment slider. I know what you're thinking, "Lightroom already has a "Shadow" adjustment."  You're right but now you can apply the adjustment locally with Viveza 2 - a great feature.

• You can now group and ungroup the "U-Points" you've placed in your image so making an adjustment to one of them controls all the others you've grouped with it.  This is very handy particularly if you've duplicated several across the area of your image and need to tweak all of them just a bit for your final result.  This new feature speeds up the process for you.

• Curves adjustments now available, too.

• Works in Adobe® Photoshop®, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom®, and Apple® Aperture®

In today's tutorial, I'll run you through all the new features. OK, I have to admit, I was having a little too much fun with Viveza 2 and the tutorial runs a little long.  You just might want to view it in two sitting.  A better suggestion - skip tonight's edition of "Entertainment Tonight" and just tune in to my Viveza tutorial.  Hit the PLAY button below and enjoy the show!

What did you think - pretty cool, eh? I highly recommend NIK's new Viveza 2.  Remember, you can head over to NIK's site and download a 15 day trial [link].  It's definitely worth the test drive.

Want to read more?  NIK is featuring 6 short 1-2 minute tutorials right here. Also, check out Ron Martinsen's review right here. Read what blogging buddy, Scott Kelby has to say when he featured Viveza 2 in his Gonzo gift guide too right here.

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Hey gang, that's it for me today.  We've got to shovel the walks, throw some salt, and dig out the cars.… I love winter.  See ya' tomorrow for another episode of PhotoFAVS Wednesday.

Tavvauvusi (“That's Good Bye Everybody” in Eskimo),  -David

Technique Tuesday: Lightroom Or NIK Viveza? That Is the Question

Good Morning Everybody,
WOW! Look at the comments from yesterday's post about me coming out of the RAW closet - thanks to everyone for your comments - fun and funny.

Anyway, after a shot nap upon arriving and settling in at our hotel here in London, we were ready to go. As we checked in, we got the word from the front desk that the hotel is officially changing to a Hilton Doubletree on Wednesday - LaDawn can't wait - she loves those warm chocolate chip cookies every Doubletree hotel offers their guests - yum!

I mentioned that we were over here with fellow Cincinnatians to see the opening of a new play in the West End. The name of the play is entitled, "Imagine This" - a brand new original musical opening Wednesday. We actually flew over with Lyricist's, David Goldsmith, mother, a very nice lady - that's LaDawn with our travel buddies in the picture to the right. Imagine (no pun intended) to our surprise when we saw a large poster advertising the play as we were going through the Gatwick Express train station - it was really cool for all of us to see it.

Tomorrow, we are having lunch, with British blogger and wedding photographer extraordinaire, Mr. Crash Taylor. If you haven't checked them out yet, Crash is doing this great series of interviews with some top photographers. His latest interview with Joel Grimes - unbelievable images - can be found right here. Lots of stuff happening this week - I'll keep you posted. Anyway, on with Technique Tuesday...

Lightroom Or NIK Viveza? That Is the Question
You know, I've been hearing this question come up as we explore the many software solutions available. People are asking, “Why do I need NIK Viveza when I’ve got the Lightroom 2 Adjustment tool. Can’t we simply add more or less density and saturation as easily within Lightroom 2?”

It's too bad the NIK Viveza [demo link] software doesn't work with RAW images. Since Viveza only works on JPEG and TIFF images within Photoshop, we don't have quite the range of control that we get with the Adjustment brushes within Lightroom 2.

In this tutorial I'll discuss the features of both pieces of software, demonstrating the benefits and the shortcomings of each solution. But keep in mind, it may be the combination of both of these solutions that gives us the best result. Let's take a peek. Hit the PLAY button below for the rest of the story.

Hey gang, that's it for me today. Tune in tomorrow for a brand new series I'm starting, "The Analysis Of A Wedding Shoot." See you then, Cheerio, -David

Technique Tuesday: Man About Town - Off Camera Flash, Lightroom, Photoshop, & Viveza

Good Morning Everybody,
What a day we had yesterday with Barbara! Who would have believed you could print on handmade Thai Unryu paper or Kinwashi paper from Japan? Some very textile mediums that gave our images a really unique and interesting "Fine Art" look. I'll give you the entire low-down on Friday with a few thoughts and possibilities about printing on alternate ink-jet mediums from wood bark to metal- really cool stuff.

Anyway, on with today's Technique Tuesday. This week's tutorial includes everything including off-camera lighting, outdoor exposure in bright light, syncing beyond the camera's rated sync speed, Lightroom, Photoshop retouching tweaks, adding dramatics to the sky with NIK Viveza software, finishing off the images with cloud brushes, and also how to save the world!

OK, everything but the last one. It is a jammed packed tutorial and runs a little longer that usual, but worth every attentive moment of you time. Hit "PLAY" below and enjoy the show!

Related Links mentioned in video:
Viveza plug-in by NIK Software
Portraiture plug-in by Imagenomic

A Real Quick WPPI Trade Show Recap

Hey only two things today since we were in and out pretty quick yesterday. In yesterday's post, I talked about NIK's Viveza software. We visited out friend Janice who was demo-ing it and the program blew me away when I saw the functionality. Man, this software could make every wedding image stunning, not that you would use it on every image - but pick a few and make them sing. Very briefly, the software let's you make corrections anywhere on the image with NIK's U-Point technology. As I sit here typing the blog, I pause just thinking about the possibilities. I'm picking up a copy, so look for more information and results on this real soon. Here is the Viveza link right here for the on-line demo. Download the 15 day free trial - let me know how it strikes you.

We stopped by to see my buddy Eric at ExpoImaging, the source of the Expo-Disk. I love the portrait warm version best. He was showing a brand new "Ray Flash Ring Light". Here is the cool part with this nifty little item - it fits right over your 580EX 0r SB800 flashes which supplies the flash to the ring light. You only loose about 1 stop of light - pretty clever. He promised me a "sneak peak" so stay tuned on that one too.

Hey gang, LaDawn's giving me the high sign to head back over to the show, so check in tomorrow to see what's cooking. The plan is still for another "Ziser Wayback Machine" episode assuming I'm not at the tables too long this evening ;~) See you tomorrow, everybody. --David