Google Nik Collection is a set of six powerful plugins for Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture (they can also be used standalone or with other Photoshop plugin-supporting apps), formerly priced at $149 but now available for free.
Analog Efex Pro enables creating stylised effects exploring "the look and feel of classic cameras, films and lenses".
Color Efex Pro provides 50+ filters for correcting colours, retouching and applying creative effects.
Silver Efex Pro is all about creating stylish and black shots, with an advanced grain engine, emulation of approaching 20 popular film types, even options like toners and borders.
HDR Efex Pro allows exploring the potential of HDR photography, with one-click presets for beginners and plenty of fine-tuning options for the more experienced.
Sharpener Pro provides advanced control over how your image is sharpened, and can be customised depending on what you're aiming to do with the results (display, inkjet, continuous tone, halftone...).
Dfine lets you adjust contrast and reduce colour noise separately, in some or all or the image, optionally with control points to avoid the need for masks.
Verdict:
Google Nik Collection is a powerful set of image editing tools with a host of interesting features. If you don't have Photoshop, Lightroom or Aperture, you can still use them, though not so conveniently: you'll need to launch the executables manually (check your Program Files\Google folder), and open and save images from each plugin.
Your Comments & Opinion
A powerful free photo editor that packs a number of advanced features
A powerful free photo editor that packs a number of advanced features
An advanced photo editing tool with a gentle learning curve
10 free Photoshop plugins (also run stand-alone)
Professional effects for your photos
Create spectacular particle effects
A free Photoshop distortion filter
A delightful cross-platform image editing and sharing app
Quickly and easily convert almost any video to the format you need
Enjoy digital and internet TV and radio with this one-stop entertainment system
Enjoy digital and internet TV and radio with this one-stop entertainment system
Grab, edit and share your screen captures in seconds
Probably the best mid-range photo editor for Windows.