Previously, I wrote a tutorial about a quick and easy landscape enhancement workflow in Nikon Capture NX using a snowy landscape photo as an example. The tutorial demonstrated the use of Black and White Control Points, Color Control Points (CCP), and Selection Brushes. With the release of Nikon Capture NX2, there has been a very important addition to control point tools: the Selection Control Point (SCP). In this tutorial, I will show you a very simple but effective landscape workflow that can save a dull image within minutes. Instead of CCP, I will use SCP to selectively enhance the sky without affecting the rest of the image so there is no more need to use Selection Brush to remove the effect from unwanted area. Read More…
Nikon’s Senior Product and Software Manager, Michael Rubin, has been touring US cities to show people how to use Nikon Capture NX and how to establish a RAW workflow using Nikon Transfer and Nikon ViewNX. Now one of the places he gave classes, B&H, puts a complete set of the class videos online. The total length of the video is approximately 2 hours. So make yourself comfortable and enjoy!
Previously I had a post about how to create Orton Effect using Nikon Capture NX. Although it was written for version 1.x of Capture NX, the basic steps should work fine for NX2. So I didn’t rewrite it for NX2. I did, since I am having fun making videos, create a quick (less than 2 minutes) video tutorial on how to create the Orton Effect in Capture NX2. For best clarity, please view the HD version. Read More…
This is a video tutorial showing you how to use Capture NX2 to change the gray background of a product photo to pure white. Ideally a good lighting setup and proper exposure should be able to get you the result you want. However in cases the lighting or exposure isn’t perfect, it is relatively easy to fix the gray background so the product stands out of a pure white background. This type of product photo gives a clean modern look. They are quite popular these days.
A few quick tips on how to get good product photos:
Use a light tent or large softbox or umbrella close to the subject to get the wrap around lighting for reduced shadow or shadow-less images. Another options is to use bounce panels placed around the setup.
If possible, light the background independently of the main subject for better control of the exposure. This allows you to get pure white background while getting proper exposure on the product.
The large white background can fool the camera’s light meter. Use manual camera and flash exposure settings to ensure consistent result. Use a flash light meter if you have one, or use exposure bracketing.
If possible, shoot tethered so you can inspect the image in details on a computer monitor instead of the tiny LCD on the back of the camera.
The Auto Retouch Brush is a nice addition in Capture NX2 for removing unwanted details such as dust spots, blemishes, or distracting objects. The tool is supposed to use a “unique blending algorithm that matches the surrounding structure, color, and tonality”. In practice, I found the tool isn’t performing as consistently as it should be. Different attempts are often needed to remove the unwanted objects based on the particular details of the photo. Read More…
The term High key typically refers to photos with dominant highlight tones. Most “correctly” exposed photos should have the key or main tone at the midpoint between white and blackpoint. By shifting the keytone up (high key) or down (low key), the photos can be made to convey different moods. High key photos can convey happy, relaxed mood while low key brings drama and tension.
Typically high key photos are result of the combination of light foreground and background, narrow tone range (less contrast), and shadow-less even lighting. Some degree of over exposure helps but it should not be relied on solely. Read More…
Soft focus is not blur or “slightly out of focus”. If you think you can get the same effect by intentionally turning the lens out of focus during shooting, you will be disappointed. True soft focus should still have the important subject areas in focus while having a sense of softness.
To achieve the soft focus, you could spend anywhere between 20 to 100 US dollars to buy one of the soft focus filters. Fortunately, the soft focus effect is one f the most simple special effects to achieve in a capable photo editor such as Capture NX2. Read More…
Moose Peterson of moosepeterson.com has a few videos of Nikon Capture NX2 at the D3 media center section of his site showing you how to effectively use some cool features of Capture NX2 and the quick and easy way of removing color casts. Enjoy!
. Fortunately, the soft focus effect is one f the most simple special effects to achieve in a capable photo editor such as Capture NX2. 
