Nik Color Efex Pro 3 Review

Select Edition
Available filters for the Select edition include Bleach bypass & Film grain. The Bleach bypass filter increases contrast and decreases saturation. According to the Nik website, it simulates a process called Skip bleaching which is a technique used in colour film processing where the bleaching process is skipped over so the silver is retained in the film. This gives the film a desaturated look which looks like a black & white image on top of a colour image. The Film grain filter is pretty simple by adding grain to the image giving it more of a look of film.
Complete Edition
Along with the two filters in the Select edition, there are an additional seven filters for the top of the range Complete edition. Many of the filters are designed to simulate film effects, which appears to be a running trend through the whole program. New filters exclusive to the Complete edition include Cross balance, Film effects, Glamour glow, High key, Low key, Polaroid transfer and Tonal contrast. Most of these are self explanatory although the Polaroid transfer mode emulates a specialist technique that involves pulling apart a half processed Polaroid film which can then be transferred onto any other surface. The result is a torn edged, low saturation, low contrast image with colours also shifting.
Figure 6 - Polaroid Transfer
Figure 7 - Midnight
Figure 8 - ND Grad
Figure 9 - Graduated Filter
Figure 10 - Dynamic Skin Softener
Figure 11 - Tonal Contrast
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