A common question among Nik Collection by DxO users is which filters should be used first. With sharpening, noise reduction and creative filters at your disposal, what’s the ideal order to run them in to get the best possible result?

In brief, it’s actually pretty easy, and quite logical when you think through it. You may not be using all of these tools, but the order should be:

1. RAW Decoding and global corrective edits
2. Pre-sharpening, with Sharpener Pro
3. Noise Reduction, with Dfine
4. HDR, if it applies, with HDR Efex Pro
5. Corrective edits, with Viveza
6. Creative edits, with Color Efex Pro and/or Analog Efex Pro
7. Black and White conversion, with Silver Efex Pro
8. Output sharpening,  with Sharpener Pro

Starting the Ideal Workflow with the Nik Collection by Dxo

The idea is that we start with an image that’s as sharp as it can be. Strip away any noise that is there because of a high-ISO shot or even noise that’s been enhanced by pre-sharpening. Apply any corrective edits (exposure adjustment, retouching, cropping, etc.). Do the majority of the creative work. And if you’re going to B&W and want to add any effects that aren’t part of Silver Efex Pro, do those before the B&W conversion. And then do a final sharpening pass that’s optimized for screen or print at the exact size (and in the case of print; paper type) that your audience will see. (post continued on DxO's Blog; link below…)

Learn more about DxO Nik Collection

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