Why DxO Nik Collection 8 Deserves a Place in Your Editing Toolkit
I realise I may be talking to a very small minority by discussing photo editing software but please bear with me as it may be of interest in the future as your photography develops.
When I first began taking black & white photography seriously, I invested in DxO’s Nik Efex software. It has become the heart of my editing workflow. Lightroom (or Camera Raw) still handles raw conversion and cleanup, while Photoshop comes out for complex composites and layered creativity. But most of my toning, local adjustments, and creative finishing happen in Nik.
Highlights from the Digital Camera World Review
Rod Lawton’s review of Nik Collection 8 makes clear why this suite remains such a creative powerhouse:
Seven plug-ins, endless creativity – from Silver Efex for black & white to Color Efex for filters, Analog Efex for vintage looks, HDR Efex, and more.
Better masking tools – alongside the famous Control Points, you now get polygon masks for precise local edits.
Deeper Photoshop integration – smoother layer handling, shared masks, and quicker switching between plug-ins.
Silver Efex refinements – improved presets, clearer local adjustments, and better reference-image displays.
Streamlined interface – presets on the left, adjustments on the right, with collapsible panels that make the workspace less daunting.
The verdict? Even if some modules feel dated (such as Dfine noise reduction), the creative heart of Nik remains strong. The reviewer calls it a “bottomless source of inspiration.”
My Own Experience with Nik
For me, Nik Efex strikes the perfect balance between presets for quick inspiration and fine manual control when I want to refine an image. Its selective adjustment tools are intuitive and effective. I often begin with a preset, then mask and tweak until the photo says what I want it to.
Over time, I’ve found myself spending less time in Photoshop or Lightroom. Nik handles most of my creative editing directly, keeping things simple without sacrificing quality.
Why WGPC Members Should Try It
If you’re thinking about editing photos on your computer, here’s why I recommend Nik over diving straight into Adobe’s subscription tools:
One-off purchase – you buy it once. No monthly subscription.
Creative but approachable – plenty of presets to start with, yet deep tools when you’re ready.
Desktop-only (and that’s a good thing) – serious editing is easier on a big screen than a phone or tablet.
Complements Lightroom/Photoshop – use those for what they do best when you are ready for that step but let Nik be your creative engine for now.
Inspires experimentation – because it’s affordable and flexible, you’ll feel free to try things out.
For WGPC members who want to take their editing further, Nik offers a less expensive, less complicated entry point compared to Adobe’s ecosystem.
How to Get Started
Download a trial version from DxO to explore before committing.
Start with Silver Efex for black & white edits — it’s the jewel of the suite.
Try some creative play in Analog Efex or Color Efex for fun and inspiration.
Final Thought
For me, Nik has become my go-to tool. It encourages me to push boundaries, yet keeps editing enjoyable rather than overwhelming. If you’re ready to move beyond straight-out-of-camera images, give Nik Collection a try. You may find, as I have, that it’s all you really need.