Unleashing Capture NX 2

It’s always fun to watch the waves of new digital technology pound on the shore of established workflow. On June 3rd, Nikon announced the introduction of Capture NX 2 — the second-generation of its innovative approach to RAW processing. Simultaneously, Acme Educational, the brainchild of Vincent Versace, announced the release of the 2-DVD set “Unleashing The RAW Power of Capture NX 2“. So, you can get a headstart on your NX 2 workflow by getting the disks from Acme now at an early-bird price {details below}. Nikon is slated to start shipping NX 2 around June 20th.

Just as Lightroom brought a new interface to Adobe’s approach to RAW processing, Capture NX uses an equally intriguing, yet competing, approach. At the heart of Capture NX are Control Points - essentially a set of sliders that you drag to the point of correction. Think of Control Points as a heads-up display on the windshield of a jet fighter… your controls are right at the point that you want to watch.

For those not familiar with Capture NX, CaptureNX.com is the place to go for an intro. You’ll find flash demonstrations of Caputre NX’s innovative Control Point interface. You’ll also find the link to download a 60-day trial version of Capture NX 2.

New to Capture NX 2 are:

• Support for dual monitors
• Selection Control Points - enabling functions such as Sharpness and D-Lighting to be applied to limited areas
• Auto Retouch Brush - removes dust specks with a simple brushstroke
• Workspaces - set up your workspace based upon the current task at hand / Browser, Metadata, Multi-purpose and Edit are presets. You can also design custom workspaces.
• XMP Label / Rating Support
• Simultaneous Opening of Multiple Settings
• Shadow / Highlight Adjustments

As mentioned above, Acme Educational has begun shipping the 2-DVD set “Unleashing The RAW Power of Capture NX 2″. For those quick on the draw, you can save $15 by ordering now. Once Nikon starts shipping NX 2, estimated to be around June 20, the normal (and still a good value) Acme price will be $59.95. So, calculators at the ready, the early-order price is $44.95.

Unleashing The RAW Power of Capture NX 2

Disk One is affectionately called “Pixel Bootcamp 2.0″. You’ll find a dozen chapters covering every nut and bolt that makes up Capture NX 2. Even advanced photographers who think they have their head completely around the world of RAW processing will discover many useful nuggets to add to their workflow.

Disk Two “From Here to There In Less Than Eternity” covers advanced image editing workflows. Of special interest to fans of infrared photography are three chapters: Standard IR, Enhanced IR and Deep Black IR. And, this being a Versace production, new material on black & white is also included.