Mark S. Johnson Photography

Don’t let the title of this Workbench fool you. Even if you don’t use Color Efex Pro, you can still very much take advantage of nesting Smart Objects in Photoshop.

That said, Color Efex Pro 4 is remarkable software that is the subject of my previous Workbench. At the conclusion of that Workbench, I indicated that as much as I like Nik’s Control Points, I prefer to perform all masking in Photoshop using nested Smart Objects. Here are three reasons why. First, Color Efex Pro works seamlessly with Smart Objects. Second, since we’re already familiar with Photoshop’s powerful masking tools, why not take advantage of them. Third, nested Smart Objects allow us to apply numerous filters and precisely control where each is applied.

Keep in mind that nested Smart Objects can also be used with the filters in Photoshop. If, however, you’d like to give Color Efex Pro a try, visit the Discounts section in the sidebar of my site and click the “Nik Software: Color Efex Pro 4 15% Discount” link. This takes you to a page where you can either purchase a discounted version or download the free demo.

Photoshop is such a robust program that I rarely turn to third-party software for answers. Even so, there are instances when third-party software provides features that simply don’t exist in Photoshop and it works seamlessly with Photoshop. In these cases, I download a free trial and sometimes take the plunge.

Recently, I experimented with Nik Software’s Color Efex Pro 4 and was thrilled by the results. Most notably, I fell in love with the Bleach Bypass and the Tonal Contrast filters. Color Efex’s integration with Photoshop is seamless and the user interface is one of the best I’ve seen. In addition, it’s possible to stack filters to achieve complex effects.

In this Workbench, I’ll take you on a brief tour of Color Efex Pro so you can decide for yourself. If you like what you see, pay a visit to the Discounts section on the sidebar of my site and click the “Nik Software: Color Efex Pro 4 15% Discount” link. This takes you to a page where you can either purchase a discounted version or download the free demo. In the interest of full disclosure, I receive a small commission when you make a purchase, but that’s not why I endorse this software. Come along and see for yourself…

In today’s Workbench, we have an ambitious goal––to create an edgy composite from start to finish. We’ll be using two photos submitted by Phil Frigon. The first is a grungy warehouse background captured with a 16mm lens and the second is a photo of his grandsons captured in a studio with a 24mm lens. The process of extraction will move along quickly thanks to the manner in which Phil captured his grandsons. First, he photographed them in front of a white unlit background that appears as light grey. This is the ideal backdrop for extraction. Second, Phil used rim light to help separate the subjects from the background. Our goal is to bring these two images together into one cohesive, edgy composite. Since this process can take awhile, I may move along a bit more quickly than usual.

As I sit quietly in the dark watching holiday lights twinkle, I am reminded once again just how fortunate I am. The tapestry of my life is threaded with so many gifts––the richness of the creative process, the support and enthusiasm of creative people like you, and the love of family and friends. The opportunity to pass along knowledge and share beauty are like iridescent threads that unify it all. My hope is that you, too, feel the light of inner beauty and are finding ways to share your gifts and talents with those in need.

Before I turn out the lights, I’d like to share one more small gift with each of you. 2011 was my most prolific year of image-making ever. I’ve compiled many of my favorite images into a gallery that celebrates the precious moments of creativity.

Click here to view the gallery.

With gratitude,

Mark Johnson

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If creative growth is important to you, Photoshop Workbench Volume Three will elevate your Photoshop skills to a new level. Featuring Episodes 251 – 300 of my signature Photoshop Workbench series, this DVD is packed with nearly 12 hours of inspiring education that covers Photoshop CS5 techniques such as Filling Text with Photos, Creating a Luminous Oil Painting Effect, Strategic Creative Sharpening, Light Burst Effect, Believable Backlit Horizons, Insider Retouching Secrets, Masking a Photo with Words, Creating a Cinemagraph, Adding Light to Eyes, and many more.

Each Workbench is presented in its original glorious quality and large viewing size. These videos are a far cry from YouTube quality. The Table of Contents is keyword searchable and contains colorful image thumbnails for easy tutorial recognition. Simply click the title of the Workbench that you wish to view, sit back, and enjoy an enlightening experience. This DVD is designed for playback on Macs, PCs, and iPads, but is not intended for television viewing.

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