HDR Efex Pro

by NIK Software

Product Features

• Fast and efficient simple to use and complete workflow saves time and one tool does it all
• Highest quality with professional results
• Greatly simplifies the task of creating HDR images
• Requires Adobe Photoshop CS3 through CS5, or Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.6 through 3.0 or later, Adobe Photoshop CS4 or CS5 Extended Edition required for 32-bit per channel Smart Object support

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003YUN49C
• Item model number: NIK-6100
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 6, 2010
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,472 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)

Product Description

Nik Software is pleased to announce HDR Efex Pro, the first high dynamic range imaging tool that delivers the full gamut of photographic possibilities, from artistic to realistic HDR images. Complete all-in-one HDR imaging toolkit. U Point based selective tools for fast, precise localized enhancements of contrast, shadow, structure and saturation adjustments and fine-tuning for a completely finished look. Standard and custom presets organized into categories for one-button HDR imaging; scores of  looks with one tool.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of potential but needs some work under the hood January 23, 2011

By Keith A. Oberg

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have just started using this software. It is loaded with features and easily creates terrific results from multiple exposure sets.
I am very happy with the package for what it can do. The control-point technology makes many things possible that can not be achieved with any other HDR package.
Being version 1, there are still some significant weaknesses that are vastly outweighed by its strengths, but here they are...
1) Eveything except the control points is 100% automatic, but control points only come into play at the end of processing. This software would benefit greatly from adding some level of manual input for image alignment, ghost reduction, and especially blending (it does a bad job with sunsets).
2) One of the reasons I bought it is for applying HDR effects to single (12-bit raw files). In this respect, the software falls on its face. It creates so much NOISE in the processed images that the output is unusable. So for the moment, only output for true merged HDR images is decent.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars HDR Efex Pro works Great! March 17, 2011

By Margaret

I purchased and have been using HDR Efex Pro for 6 months now. I downloaded trials of both Photomatix and HDR Efex Pro and found so many more features in the HDR Efex software that I purchased it instead of Photomatix.
I followed the installation directions for Lightroom without any trouble and it works flawlessly. (I'm running LR 3 on a Mac). It does a good job of registering handheld bracketed shots and gives so many options that I can spend hours on a single photograph trying them out. The most amazing thing is the control point software! I highly recommend the e-book The Photographer's Guide to HDR Efex Pro by Jason P. Odell and Tony Sweet ( Tutorial eBook for HDR Efex Nik Software) which explains many details of this software you won't get out of the help files.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous HDR program! July 5, 2011

By Tenna Merchent

I love this program. If you are new to HDR, I recommend you read The HDR Book: Unlocking the Pros' Hottest Post-Processing Techniques. In the book, RC discussed three software programs to create HDR images, and explains that the Nik version is his favorite. I agree! I've tried using Photoshop to do HDR, and Nik does an immensely better job.

The program comes with presets that you will see on the left hand side. They are a great starting point. If they need adjusting, you can fine tune with the sliders on the right, in particular I go to method and strength.

I've read on Flickr that HDR is addictive and I totally agree. With it you can get images that you just can't get in any other way, at least not without spending days in the digital dark room doing tons of complicated masking.

If you like this program, I also recommend Nik Software Color Efex Pro 2.0 Standard Edition, 19 Filters, Plug-in Software for Macintosh & Windows. Free upgrade to Color Efex Pro 3.0 Standar which I use all the time. I in particular like the filters Tonal Contrast, and Sunshine. Nik has a podcast which I also like, it will give you some good ideas, inspire you, and lead you to some great artists.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Some aspects of the program are great; others are not April 22, 2011

By Susan Peirce

Amazon Verified Purchase

I agree with other reviewers that Photomatix is a better HDR program in terms of composite images but I really like Nik's interface and how it works on single images.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Lot of un August 16, 2011

By Nicholas A. Vettese

Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this product after a demo I saw of it at a local photography club meeting. The software works great, and I am very pleased with it. I have been able to go back into my older images and breathe life into them with the new looks and depth.

The u-point technology works great, and it also enables me to take that control of an image and make parts of it look different.

I am now looking into purchasing the entire set of Nik products. The interface is easy to use, presets are a great starting point, and the technology behind it is incredible.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars HDR Efex Pro May 25, 2011

By Richard

Amazon Verified Purchase

I saw a Webinar on HDR Efex Pro sponsored by Nik Software. The instructor demonstrated the software, its friendly interface and ease of uses. He merged 3 photos, made some adjustments, the process was easy and the results were excellent. I purchased the software, installed it on a Mac Pro using Photoshop CS4. I'm very satisfied and would recommend this product.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars HDR Efex Pro June 9, 2011

By Da Lowrider

Amazon Verified Purchase

I tried the trial before I purchased this software and found it very interesting to use. It is another tool in your box if you enjoy giving photographs your own special look .. or have something in your minds eye you'd care to try and manifest as a finished work. It's not for every photo and I suppose it's not for every photographer but then .. what is?

The software works great and provides a myriad of possible alterations to create a "one of" look

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars WATCH COMPATIBILTY December 8, 2010

By Paul Dolter

I have CS4 with Windows XP Pro (32 bit) and HDR EFEX will NOT work with this combination. This information is in the fine print on the side of the box which I fortunately read before I opened the box. I returned the software for now and will reorder when I upgrade my computer and switch to Windows 7(64 bit). I've seen the results from this software and can wholeheartedly say I'm looking forward to using it in the future.