{"id":1126,"date":"2015-12-02T21:34:55","date_gmt":"2015-12-02T21:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kenkoskela.com\/blog\/?p=1126"},"modified":"2015-12-02T21:44:41","modified_gmt":"2015-12-02T21:44:41","slug":"increasing-water-texture-with-nik-filters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kenkoskela.com\/blog\/increasing-water-texture-with-nik-filters\/","title":{"rendered":"Increasing Water Texture with Nik Filters"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Google Nik Collection is a popular set of Photoshop add-on filters used by many photographers. I still use Nik filters, but I use them differently than I used to. When I was new at processing, I would apply the filters globally at full opacity. Now, I use them sparingly at relatively low opacity for local adjustments. I sometimes use Nik Filters to bring a little added texture and contrast into water, such as in the image below. <\/p>\n

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Inside Bruarfoss<\/a> : Prints Available<\/a><\/p>\n

Close up of a section of Iceland’s Bruarfoss.<\/p>\n

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For the above image, I used a Nik filter called “Dark Contasts” (part of Nik’s “Color Efex Pro” filter set) to enhance contrast of the water. Below are the steps I took to apply the filter. Note that I’ve de-saturated the water in the images below to focus attention on the texture for the purpose of this blog. <\/p>\n

First, here is a close-up of the water prior to applying the filter.<\/p>\n

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Next, I applied Nik’s “Dark Contrasts” filter. Running the filter created a new layer in Photoshop as pictured below. Notice that the effect is much too strong. <\/p>\n

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Next, I added a black mask to the layer and, using a feathered brush at 30% flow, painted white on the mask over the water. This resulted in the effect being applied to the rushing water and not being applied to the rest of the image.<\/p>\n

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Lastly, I reduced the opacity of the Nik Filters layer to around 40%. <\/p>\n

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I use Nik Filters for many other adjustments and often use them at much lower opacity than 40%, usually around 15% and just in parts of the image. I often use Nik’s “Tonal Contrast” filter as an alternative to Dark Contrasts if I am looking for a less dark and gloomy effect.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Google Nik Collection is a popular set of Photoshop add-on filters used by many photographers. I still use Nik filters, but I use them differently than I used to. When I was new at processing, I would apply the filters globally at full opacity. Now, I use them sparingly at relatively low opacity for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1130,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-processing-tips"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t