Colour correcting with Vivenza?

A friend of mine asked me to look at Nik Software's Vivenza, their newest offering for enhancing images. Vivenza promises to assist the user in controlling colour, light, and tonality. All noble goals. Let's take a look at how they did.

If you are a photographer and shoot with Nikon (using CaptureNX) you will be familiar with Nik's U Point technology. U Point utilises control points to dial in corrections. The scope of these points is adjustable.

From a technology standpoint, I love what they've done. As a photographer (using Fuji cameras) and a power user, I plan on using this new plug-in for my photo work. In looking at it's use for image enhancement, I'm a bit nervous. It's not that I think the plug-in doesn't work or any other such failing. I like the way it works. I think that users without a solid background in photography or some very good hands-on training in the use of this style of correcting may have trouble documenting and explaining their process effectively (forensics as oration and debate).

As such, if you are a photographer ... you'll love it. If you are a image enhancement power user ... you'll love it too. If you are just getting started ... have someone with experience with Vivenza give you some very good hands-on training before you incorporate this plug-in in your workflow.

Nik offers a 15 day trial, so you have the opportunity to get your feet wet and see if this will work for you before paying the $249.95 retail price.

If you've downloaded the trial or are using the full version, I'd be interested in hearing about your experiences with Vivenza.

Enjoy.