#Nik's Collection of Filters

[vegan-kaktus]

How to install Nik's Collection of Filters in Photoshop 2025

I couldn't for the life of me get this to work on PS 2025. It crashed, and when I finally managed to get it to not crash, Nik's collection didn't show up under filters. I found various threads with similiar problems, but none of the solutions worked for me so I thought I'd make a tutorial on how I solved it.

Grab Nik's Collection of Filters here via wayback, or here directly from Google.

Double click on the .exe and follow the instructions.

When it asks you for a "host", click on the + and choose this folder: C:\Program Files\Common Files

After you've finished installing, go to C:\Program Files\Common Files and make a shortcut of the folder named "Google" (I removed the "- shortcut" in the name, not sure if that's necessary).

Go to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Plug-Ins\CC and paste/move the shortcut there.

You're done! Photoshop won't crash and the "Nik Collection" will show up under filters.

[cod-thoughts]

I can feel the heat on my face

Word count: 1.6k

Relationships: NikPrice, PriceNik

Tags: Price wears a crop top, Nik loves it, fade-to-black, suggestive themes, fluff

So this was written based off of this post from @on-a-lucky-tide and the subsequent beautiful art by @nekrosmos, your brains collectively made me write this and then i left it for like a month rip but i finished it!! its short and i may or may not have a smutty second part that im debating sharing too, we'll see how brave i get 0_0

Nik bought Price some new gym outfits as a bit of a joke, little did he know that seeing his Captain in a cropped hoodie and shirt would alter his brain chemistry the way it did Keep reading under the cut or on AO3

The early morning sunlight filtered through the edges of the curtains, casting faint, golden lines onto the bedroom floor. The flat was quiet save for the muffled hum of the city beyond the windows, distant and unobtrusive. Price stirred under the duvet, one arm stretching lazily across the bed, his hand brushing against the cool, empty space where Nik had slept. He cracked an eye open and frowned. Of course Nik was already up.

A low groan rumbled in his chest as he shifted, rubbing a hand over his face to chase away the lingering fog of sleep. His beard scratched against his palm, grounding him in its familiar texture. He blinked blearily at the room, catching sight of the small pile of neatly folded clothes resting on the chair near the bed. Nik’s doing, no question.

It was routine—whenever they planned to hit the gym together, Nik would leave Price’s kit ready to go. A silent nudge, Price supposed, to stop him from lazing about and rolling back into bed. It was thoughtful, in its way, though it always carried a hint of Nik’s stubborn insistence.

With a resigned grunt, Price swung his legs over the side of the bed, the cool wood floor shocking against his bare feet. He stretched, his muscles stiff from sleep, before padding over to the chair. His eyes were still half-closed as he grabbed the shirt first. The fabric was soft and lightweight, practical enough for a workout. He tugged it on, his movements sluggish, only for his hand to freeze midway.

The shirt wouldn’t go any lower. Price frowned, blinking himself into full awareness as he glanced down. His brow furrowed deeper as he tugged again, to no avail. The hem of the shirt barely reached his navel, leaving his stomach—firm and solid, marked with faint scars and the unmistakable trail of dark hair—completely exposed.

“Bloody hell…” he muttered, scratching idly at his side as he reached for the sweater Nik had left with it. Surely that would sort things out. But no—the sweater, though soft and comfortable, was equally cropped, and it left just as much skin on show. Price stared down at himself, incredulous. He didn’t have chiselled abs, but he was built—a broad chest, strong arms, and a stomach that spoke of years of proper meals and hard-earned strength. The outfit, however, seemed determined to make him look like some kind of showpiece.

He tugged experimentally at the sweater, as though sheer force of will might make it longer. When that failed, he turned to the mirror. And that’s when he noticed the shorts.

The shorts. Price blinked at his reflection, dumbfounded. The shorts were snug, hugging his thighs—thick, hairy, and as solid as the rest of him—while cutting so high they left nothing to the imagination. He looked… different. Not bad, necessarily, but certainly not what he’d expected to see when he got dressed.

He rubbed a hand over his jaw, his lips twitching as a sarcastic comment began to form. But before he could properly articulate his thoughts, the soft creak of the floorboards outside the bedroom broke his train of thought.

The door opened, and Nik stepped inside, already dressed in joggers and a well-fitted T-shirt. His hair was slightly mussed, his expression relaxed, but the sharpness in his eyes betrayed his ever-present alertness. His gaze landed on Price almost instantly.

Nik froze.

“Well,” he started, his voice full of easy humour, “what a sight to wake up to.” He smirked, stepping further into the room, his tone warm but laced with his usual teasing edge. “Did not know you would be modelling for me this morning, Captain.”

Price didn’t look over his shoulder, still too busy fiddling with the sweater. “Nik,” he said flatly, his voice heavy with exasperation. “Care to explain why I’m dressed like this?” He gestured vaguely to himself, the motion half-shielding his stomach. “And don’t tell me this is gym kit, because I know bloody well it isn’t.”

“It is gym clothes,” Nik countered, his smirk widening. “Just… minimalist.”

“Minimalist?” Price echoed, finally turning to glare at him through the mirror. “Minimalist, my arse. I feel like you bought this more for yourself than for me.”

Nik chuckled, stepping closer, his eyes sweeping over Price. “Maybe,” he said, dragging the word out with mock consideration. “But can you blame me? Look at you.”

Price huffed, muttering something about needing a proper kit as he dropped his arms with a resigned shake of his head. The movement was casual, almost careless, but it left his midsection entirely exposed. Solid muscle, tan skin, and the faintest curve of softness—all framed perfectly by the absurdly short sweater and shorts.

That was when it hit Nik.

The teasing comment on his tongue faltered, replaced by silence as his gaze lingered, drawn to every detail. The scars scattered across Price’s skin, the way his shoulders filled out the snug fabric, the trail of dark hair disappearing beneath the waistband of those shorts. It wasn’t funny anymore—not even a little. Price, with his perpetually gruff exterior and quiet strength, looked… stunning.

Nik blinked, his lips parting as though to say something, but no words came.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Price asked, finally turning to face him fully. His tone was dry, but there was a faint smirk tugging at his lips, betraying his usual stern demeanour.

Nik blinked, as though snapping out of his trance. His mouth opened slightly, then closed again, the teasing remark he'd prepared slipping away as he caught another full look at Price in the morning light. The cropped sweater framed him in a way that wasn’t just flattering—it was outright distracting. Nik’s eyes lingered on the faint trail of hair that dipped below the waistband of those shorts, and then further down, where Price’s solid, muscular thighs stretched against the fabric.

He swallowed, trying to regain his composure. “I—” His voice faltered for a beat before he cleared his throat. “I knew it would not look bad,” he managed, though his voice was quieter now, laced with a growing tension. “But… I did not expect it to look this good.”

Price cocked an eyebrow, his smirk growing slightly. “Didn’t know you had such a thing for crop tops, Nik.”

Nik didn’t reply immediately, his gaze flickering up to meet Price’s eyes. There was something unspoken in the way he looked at him now, a rare moment of Nik’s usually cool exterior faltering. The teasing grin he so often wore softened, replaced by something more vulnerable, almost reverent.

“Not the top,” Nik said, words clipped and stepping closer, his hands finding Price’s sides almost instinctively. His fingers brushed over the exposed skin there, the faint calluses catching against the warmth of Price’s skin. “But you.”

Price blinked, thrown off guard by the sincerity in Nik’s tone. His smirk wavered, and for a moment, he wasn’t the seasoned captain, wasn’t the gruff, no-nonsense man who could command a room with a single glance. He was just John, standing barefoot in their bedroom, feeling inexplicably flustered under Nik’s gaze.

Nik’s hands lingered at his sides, his thumbs brushing against the edge of the sweater as though testing how much further he could push. “You are fucking breath-taking, you know that?” he said softly, his accent thickening in a way that always made Price’s stomach twist.

Price scoffed lightly, shaking his head as if to dismiss the comment, but the flush creeping up his neck betrayed him. “That right?” he muttered, his voice quieter now.

Nik grinned, though there was something softer behind it this time. “Mhm” he replied, his hands sliding lower, fingers curling lightly around Price’s hips. “We might have to change the plan, Captain.”

“Yeah?” Price asked, his voice edged with humour, though there was a faint hitch in his breath as Nik’s hands tightened slightly.

“Oh, absolutely,” Nik murmured, his grin turning wicked as he leaned in closer. His breath was warm against Price’s ear as he added, “We could skip the gym. Do some… private training instead,” he paused thinking, “Cardio! yes, cardio, plenty of it, too.”

Price barely had time to process the words before Nik bent slightly, his arms wrapping securely around Price’s thighs. The motion was smooth, effortless, and before Price could protest, Nik straightened, lifting him clean off the ground.

“Nik!” Price barked, his voice sharp with alarm, though his hands instinctively gripped Nik’s shoulders for balance. His face burned now, the rare flush spreading from his neck to his ears. “Put me down, you daft—”

“No chance, lyubov moya,” Nik interrupted, his laughter rich and unrestrained. “You are far too dangerous to let out of our flat dressed like that.”

Price huffed, trying—and failing—to school his expression back to something stern. “Dangerous? Bloody ridiculous, more like.”

Nik carried him across the room as though he weighed nothing, his grin only growing. “Ridiculous? Maybe,” he said, his voice dipping lower. “But you are still mine.”

He reached the bed and, with a practiced ease, dropped Price onto the mattress. The captain let out a startled noise as he bounced slightly, propping himself up on his elbows to glare up at Nik. But whatever sarcastic retort Price had been about to deliver died the moment Nik leaned over him, bracing one arm on the bed beside him.

Nik’s free hand trailed down Price’s side, his touch slow and deliberate, as though savouring every inch. “Stay here,” he murmured, his voice soft but firm. “You are not going anywhere, John.”

Price’s breath caught, his heart thudding in his chest as Nik dipped lower, his lips brushing against the edge of the sweater. The teasing grin on Nik’s face softened, replaced by something deeper, hungrier, as his hands trailed further down.

Their morning gym plans were forgotten entirely.

[chevvy-ryder]

[NC_RES]-31102049-EUR-GER scharfenberg_g_portraits_035_KP_AWF_WA.file ///core:_ryder_von_scharfenberg.file\\\

—

⚠️ READ: Please do not repost/reupload any of my art here or to any other platform, or I will be forced to do anything to get it annihilated.

—

He's not happy about the scan.

Since I did that post with Arki last time and Ry was also shortly before Konpeki Plaza mission I thought lets do it again! He does not look as professional as Arki, but that's because he hates corpo missions like those. About the second pic: I was playing around with my Nick Collection filters after many years of not using them. I just had the thought this could be of BEAST's view when it's watching him through several cameras. And Ryder ofc senses it.

In reality I was just not so … uhm— content? with how the laser lights look in his hair, bc it's too much. So I tried to fix that.

Here's the "Nik C"-free pic:

[yvetteheiser]

Yvette Heiser - Advanced Photo Editing Demystified: Guide to Painting with Pixels

In the realm of digital art and photography, mastering advanced photo editing is a skill that can elevate your work from ordinary to extraordinary and Yvette Heiser Painting with Pixels A Guide to Advanced Photo Editing Techniques, a renowned expert in digital artistry, offers a comprehensive guide titled "Painting with Pixels" that demystifies advanced photo editing techniques. This guide serves as a roadmap for photographers, artists, and enthusiasts looking to enhance their editing skills and create stunning visual masterpieces.

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Before delving into advanced techniques, Yvette Heiser emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation. This starts with understanding the basic tools and functions of photo editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Light room. Mastery of basic adjustments like exposure, contrast, saturation, and sharpening is essential for any aspiring digital artist.

Harnessing the Power of Layers

One of the most crucial aspects of advanced photo editing is the use of layers. Layers allow you to work on different elements of an image independently, offering unparalleled control and flexibility. Yvette’s guide delves into the art of layering, covering techniques such as layer masking, blending modes, and adjustment layers.

Advanced Retouching Techniques

Yvette Heiser’s guide also explores advanced retouching techniques, which are essential for achieving professional-quality results. These techniques go beyond basic touch-ups and include intricate procedures like frequency separation, dodging and burning, and high-end skin retouching.

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Beyond technical skills, Yvette’s guide emphasizes the importance of creative enhancements. This includes techniques like compositing, where multiple images are combined to create a single, cohesive masterpiece. Yvette demonstrates how to use selections, masks, and blending modes to seamlessly merge different elements, whether it’s placing a subject in a new background or creating surreal, imaginative scenes.

Utilizing Filters and Plugins

Filters and plugins can greatly enhance the editing process by offering specialized effects and tools not available in standard software. Yvette’s guide introduces a variety of filters and plugins that can streamline workflow and achieve stunning results.

For instance, the Nik Collection offers a suite of filters for color correction, sharpening, and creative effects. Plugins like Portraiture are designed specifically for portrait retouching, providing advanced skin smoothing and detail enhancement tools. Yvette provides insights into selecting the right plugins and integrating them into your editing process for maximum efficiency and creativity.

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[crimsonlyinglilly]

Day 12 “I can’t stand seeing you like this.”        

| Dehydration | Grief | Coma |

Another day for @juneofdoom and more Caged Founder, I thought this would be the last for that au this month but it's claimed more prompts

Feeling so behind of these fills, the heat is making it hard to think let alone write but I'm trying.

Kol dies while on the other side and goes to see why his brother never came to see them and discovers much more than he though.

Follows from A wish of Blame

-----

Kol died.

He was killed by a teenage hunter and baby vamp. It was embarrassing, only slightly better than Finn's death to a plain teenage boy.

But even in death something was bothering him; he hadn't seen Elijah at any point from being undaggered to death.

Elijah had refused to return for mother's family reunion, Finn had left on mother’s word to retrieve him and returned without him claiming he was too busy and then later tried to tell them Elijah wanted mother's plan to succeed.

That Elijah wanted them all to die.

They hadn't believed him, Elijah may have decided to stay with his little cult over Klaus' tantrums but he wouldn't have chosen to die, wouldn't have wanted them dead. It was easier to believe Finn had lied, tricked Elijah into giving him his blood to link him.

Kol still would have thought he'd return after feeling him daggered or Finn death but he hadn't.

Kol could have gone to see him himself, however he was angry at Elijah for getting a life away from Klaus when he had stopped Kol himself from that everytime, so he hadn't.

Now he regrets that, dying without ever seeing his brother, however since he was dead and stuck on the other side nothing was really stopping him from seeing his brother, finding out why he hadn't returned to see any of them.

So he had followed the directions he managed from another soul and closed his eyes focusing on the thoughts of his brother.

He hadn't expected to open his eyes to find himself in a child's bedroom, setting sunlight filtered in through the pair of large windows on one wall.

A spoilt child he thought as he looked around the large room, the shelves filled with books and a mix of dinosaurs.

A large painted wooden castle took up one corner of the room complete with little dolls in livery, Kol found something about it familiar but the two large oil paintings taking up one wall took his attention from it before he could look into it more.

He knew his brother's works, he remembered the collection Nik painted in the 1500s when Elijah had forced him to take a day from the english court, he's almost sure the one on them  is the one Klaus had sent to them in France during the time, and he knew what New Orleans harbour looked like centuries ago, as the other showed, even if he had spent much of that time daggered.

Under them were more shelves with a collection of soft toys on them, from more Dinosaurs and dragons to a set of human shaped ones, simple ones with plain coloured beads for eyes and shades of brown for hair.

In the middle of the room on the opposite wall to the windows was a large canopy bed.

While the paintings linked the room to his family, it was the wrong brother, Kol was questioning where exactly Elijah was and if he had somehow got it wrong when the door opened and the likely owner entered.

A boy around seven, clad in pastel coloured pyjamas with a purple dinosaur on the shirt, brown curls lighter than Kol’s own, closer to Finn's colour and a pair of dark brown eyes that looked through him to the bed.

“Daddy?” the boy called, making Kol suddenly aware that the large bed hadn't been as empty as he thought as it moved.

“‘son,” the lump on the bed slurred groggily making Kol jump as the blankets shifted Kol found his brother, pale, worn brother sitting up in the bed, days of stubble on his face adding to the dishevelled appearance “oh I'm sorry I'm in you bed.” Elijah apologised as he looked around in confusion.

Alarm bells were going off in Kol's head, because while a child would explain Elijah's absence, what could have reduced their pristine brother to this state.

Kol noted his brother's short hair, when Rebekah had asked Finn how Elijah had looked on his visit, Finn had described him as still keeping his hair long; it seemed he had gotten a haircut since Finn's visit.

At least the child was a reason he hadn't returned, why would he risk a child this young around a Klaus that was clearly mad at him but Elijah would have told him and Rebekah at least.

At least Rebekah, he corrected, as he remembered his reaction to Marcellus, the anger he felt at being replaced after they daggered him to stop him living a life free from them, still he followed the boy as he approached the bed.

“That's fine,” the child reassured Elijah, or tried to, as Kol caught guilt flooding his brother's face. “Père says you're sick again.”  

Père? French for father, Kol knew Elijah, like himself was an equal opportunist, before Tatia had arrived in the village Elijah was just as likely to be found kissing the boys from the wolf pack as the girls.

The rest of the words ‘sick again’ caught his attention before he could worry about the mystery man, Elijah was a vampire they didn't get sick, how could this be a regular thing.

“Sorry Jason.” Elijah repeated, giving Kol a name for the child.

“No sorry.” Jason told Elijah strictly climbing to the bed, “you and mummy said not to be sorry about being sick or feeling bad.” Kol made a note about this ‘mummy' perhaps Elijah had joined a couple, already with a child, which could also be why Finn hadn’t mentioned the child if he was with his human parents, however any chance to wonder more about that was crushed the next words spoken with childish earnestness “I'm sad about uncle Kol too.” 

He sucked in a breath as Elijah shuddered, opening his arms and letting the boy slip into them, under the blanket beside him.

Kol sat heavily on the bed, it didn't move since he was dead and he stared at his always calm controlled brother, apparently broken from his grief for Kol.

He had always thought he was alone on the outside of their ‘always and forever’ but seeing Elijah alone, who knows how far from their remaining siblings,  forced him to realise maybe he wasn't, maybe they all were stuck orbiting Niklaus.

Even avoiding them, Elijah still clearly thought of them to have told this child about him even when he hadn't returned to see any of them, to want them as family, even as he seemed to move on to make his own.

“Are you, my star?” Elijah asked, his voice shaky and he pulled Jason into a hug, the boy nodded into his chest.

“I wanted to meet him.” The voice was soft as he muttered it into Elijah's chest, there were several moments of silence before the small voice spoke again. “Are you getting another me?”

‘What?’ Kol thought.

Elijah seemed to share the same thought as he just looked at Jason with confusion.

“Père says he found me because you were very sad about your other brother last time, and i was on medicine if I'm not enough so do you need another-” Jason started babbling, speaking almost too fast to understand but Kol got enough.

Last time had to be after Finn’s death, Kol thought, then Elijah hadn't had the kid for more than a year. 

If he got a child when Finn died then why hadn't he returned before then and if what Finn had claimed was true that Elijah had wanted to die, that he had volunteered his blood for the linking spell, then why would he have gotten a child after that failed.

“No.” Elijah said sharply, dragging Kol from his spiralling questions “that's not how it works.”

“But I worked, didn't I?” the child argued “I make you better, if I’m not enough you should get an-”

“No,” he repeated, pulling away to make sure the boy was looking up at him as he spoke again “Jason it's not up to you to fix me, I love you and you make me very happy but you can't use another person to fix yourself.”

Kol didn’t like the growing hold in his chest at Elijah’s words, at the idea that something in him needed to be fixed, if he had a problem he should have come back to them.

“But I want to help.” The child protested earnestly and open the way only a child was.

“You do.” Elijah promised pressing his lips to the boy’s hair, the way Kol remembers him doing for them as children “but you are a child, your one job is to grow up happy and healthy.”

Kol snorted, that was something Elijah hadn't learnt from their parents.

“That's two things, daddy.” Jason corrected with a pout.

“So it is,” Elijah said in fake surprise, winning a smile from Jason as he poked the boy’s nose before asking “do you think you can do both those things for me?”

“Yes.” the boy nodded vigorously grinning.

“Good.” Elijah said before pulling the boy back into a hug.

“If you don't need medicine, are you not as sad this time?” Jason broke the silence.

Kol found himself  tensing despite himself, unsure how he could take the idea that Elijah wasn't as sad about his death as Finn's.

“Its a different sad,” Elijah started which didn’t help Kol “last time Tris- your père was cruel when I was already sad. This time, it’s my fault.“

“What?” Kol and the child said at the same time, Kol wishes he was surprised but of course Elijah would find away to blame himself on a death he wasn't anywhere near for, the child however was stuck on another part forcing Kol to hear it again.

“Your fault, père was cruel?” Jason asked clear shock and confusion at the idea his Père whoever he was could be cruel to his daddy while Kol felt a growing sense of unease at the idea of someone being cruel to Elijah, his brother was strong the only people who could hurt him were family and yet this Père had apparently hurt Elijah in the aftermath of Finn's death and he still stayed with him.

Elijah seemed to miss them yet hadn’t come to see them.

“No that was all him, he’s not as smart as he thinks he is and was scared,” Elijah said more to himself than the child before looking back at Jason with a sigh “it was my fault that I failed your uncle Kol.”

“How?” Jason asked, but Kol didn't need to ask because he knew his brother, Elijah was almost as controlling as Klaus just in a softer way, where Klaus lashed out at them Elijah blamed himself and hovered more.

He hadn't been there to hover this time.

“I should have been there,” Elijah admitted, making Kol sigh as he was proven right, he flopped back to lay on the bed and stare at them, of course neither of other two in the room noticed, “I’m the older brother, I should have protected him better. “

“Why weren’t you?” Jason spoke the question that had been haunting Kol for months, why hadn't Elijah come back to them.

When the answer came it wasn't as much of a surprise as it should have been. It was obvious in hindsight, what else other than the responsibilities to a child would keep the brother that helped raise them, from them.

Nothing unless it wasn't his choice.

“Your Père wouldn’t let me.” Elijah admitted.

Kol flinched at the emptiness of the words, the lack of anger or even annoyance. He had spoken of this 'Père' with almost fond annoyance when discussing him earlier but this contained nothing.

Elijah wasn't ever meant to look or sound like that, resigned, he didn’t like seeing him like this at all especially when he couldn’t do anything to fix it.

“Is it because it’s not safe?“ Jason spoke, cutting through silence.

“What has he been telling you?” Elijah asked, eyes suddenly sharp as he looked at the door, the slight shift in his head letting Kol know he was using supernatural hearing to check on something or someone.

Kol was torn between searching for the one who had kept Elijah from them somehow and staying.

In the end it's only a brief moment of indecision as Jason started speaking again.

“That you were in danger and he took you to keep you safe,” the child explained, nodding to himself, “for a while you didn’t agree with him, but now you do.“

Kol couldn't stop himself from pretty much growling, had they had him from the split after New Orleans. Had his brother been trapped for nearly a century? what had they done to Elijah to control him, to stop his escapes enough he gave up trying.

Finn had gone to him. Finn, no matter how much he resented them wouldn't have left Elijah imprisoned somewhere if he asked for help, Kol doubted whatever they had could stop two Originals.

Unless, the twisting feeling in his stomach froze, unless Elijah was protecting Finn from ending up the same as him, was protecting them all.

Klaus knew where Elijah had been from the start, complained about Elijah choosing the Strix over them but-

He hadn't returned to take control of the Strix, they took him.

Finn's death had shown an original’s death took all those that came from their Sireline with them had the Strix figured that out and gotten someone to take Elijah to protect themselves.

“I still don’t.” Elijah's voice interrupted Kol's thoughts, offering him relief for the horrifying thought that they had somehow gotten into Elijah's head.

Still he sounded far too tired to Kol’s comfort, not angry enough for decades of imprisonment.

“What?” Jason sounded shocked, Kol watched as little hands suddenly grasped Elijah’s arms almost in fear he would vanish.

“Your Pēre was wrong.” Elijah repeated slowly, looking at the hands and careful loosening them.

“But he wants to keep you safe, like me and mummy too.” Jason argued.

“What about your Uncle Luc? He doesn’t protect him.” Kol made a note of this ‘uncle Luc’ , another person part of Elijah's captivity or just a bystander who happened to take Kol and his siblings' place in Elijah's child's life. “Jason I want you to know your pēre shouldn't have done what he did. People should have a choice and if it wasn't the one he wanted he should have accepted that.” Elijah explained clearly, looking more like the other brother Kol knew and not the worn out man that Kol first saw in this room.

However Jason's next words seemed to cut all the strength Elijah gathered for a moment.

“But you wouldn’t have me.” was the soft words that filled the room so heavily

Kol felt sick as Elijah appeared to shrink at the words. 

“Then I wouldn’t have you.” Elijah echoed, pulling the child into a hug, “and that is an unacceptable little star, my untainted light in the dark.” 

The child hugged back tightly.

Elijah pressed a kiss to the boy's curls, once again sending Kol mind back to a far more innocent time before, when they were human, it had grown less common after they were changed.

Kol was suddenly angry for a whole new reason, they had always known that Elijah had wanted to be a father, he had thrown himself into the idea of helping Tatia with her son Hale equally as much as having his own children with her, and that he could finally be a father but only as part of this imprisonment was a cruel joke of fate from someone who had spent centuries running after them, trying to protect them.

None of them had even thought that Elijah needed a return on that act.

Kol took a moment to calm his anger as the surroundings flickered his brief thoughts of where Klaus was to let this happen, almost taking him to that brother.

After he managed to take a breath and stay in one place, finding himself still laying along the bottom of the bed, he watched as Jason pulled a book out of seemingly nowhere and presented it to Elijah.

He allowed himself a small reprieve of happiness for his brother as he watched him read a bedtime story to his child, refusing to think of how it had ended up this way.

Just after Jason appeared to fall asleep, Elijah got out of the bed but before he could fully leave it, small hands grabbed him again. 

“Where- you goin-?” Jason muttered sleepily

“To speak to your Père.” Elijah told him carefully removing the hand to ran one of his own over the messy curls.

“missed you,”Jason managed before a yawn cut him off “daddy.”

“I'm sorry,” Elijah apologised. “I'll try my best not to go anywhere like that again.”

“Love you.” Jason called as Elijah reached the door making him pause.

“I love you, my star, never doubt that.” Elijah said before he closed the door.

He started to follow Elijah  bur before he could leave the room a voice called out making him twist back towards the bed.

“Uncle Kol” the child was talking to a small human shaped soft toy, brown hair and two similar coloured buttons for eyes, making it stand out from the pair of blond toys. “I'm going to keep you with me for longer, don’t think daddy is ready for you to join the shelf.” 

Kol glanced over to a shelf off to the side with similar looking toys, three of them, two smaller ones and one matching size of the three in the bed. 

The matching one had short lighter brown coloured hair and hazel buttons for eyes. 

Finn had visited Elijah before he died, and returned with his blood. 

Freya, Finn and Henrik. Little Kol between Klaus and Rebekah.

‘Oh Elijah.’ he thought, he couldn’t introduce the boy to them so he found another way to make sure he had them.

They had been just so sure Elijah had forgotten about them and moved on. Kol knew he and Rebekah had been jealous, how come Elijah was left undaggered to live his life. 

Klaus had been very vocal about his view of Elijah for his betrayal, it was very clear that had Elijah returned he would have ended up joining them in the coffins.

Yet it seemed he hadn't stayed away out of his own choice.

Someone had kept him from them.

'he took you to keep you safe' a child's innocence but it was painting a horrifying picture for Kol, Elijah hadn't returned to take over the Strix, they had taken him.

Ninety years Elijah had been kept from his family while Klaus gave into his paranoia and believed the brother that had always been by his side for centuries betrayed him. 

'Your père was wrong.' Elijah said it so softly, tired and Kol hated what he read from it.

Elijah had given up. 

Someone had taken Elijah and now he was playing house with them, no not playing, Elijah shared a child with whoever it was.

The perfect way to control him, keep him from his family and then offer him one of his own, Elijah loved fiercely with his whole heart, he was a protector and caretaker.

A child was the perfect tool against him, Kol tried not to think about the rest they could have done to his brother over a long captivity, the boy looked younger than ten and Elijah had been with whoever this was nine times his life.

Perhaps this was a soft way to control him or maybe this wasn’t the first child, had Elijah raised others.

Whoever had Elijah had gotten Jason after Finn's death.

‘Elijah wants this.’ Finn had claimed after they discover his plan with mother,

They hadn't believed him, hadn't thought to ask why Elijah would want death, why Finn returned without Elijah but still had enough blood to link him.

They should have, Kol was reminded of the hands he had felt around his neck from the link, they had thought it was Rebekah but she had denied anyone harming her and they were with Finn when they felt it.

That left one person but they had never thought- Finn had known, but he still hadn’t said anything in the brief time before he had died.

“I really wished I got to meet you.” the child whispered to the tiny soft toy Kol. 

Elijah had told the child about them, had gone out of his way to make a collection of soft toys of them, had found and decorated the child's room with Nik's art.

my untainted light in the dark. Whether against Elijah or not, he was important to his brother.

His brother who still thought of them, who still missed them, who wanted this child to at least know his siblings.

He had been jealous of Marcellus, Klaus’ ward, felt like a replacement to Kol and clearly the child, Jason was a replacement, meant to replace all of them, to be used against them.

But Elijah loved him, he was there for Elijah when the rest of them hadn't even noticed something was wrong.

There shouldn’t have been any doubt that Elijah would have left them, he let Klaus insecurities and paranoia infect him, he died without ever getting to see his brother again and he had a nephew he never got to meet.

"Me too little nephew." he said before he followed after where Elijah went.

----

this was meant to be longer but spilt it into two.

Next part

[pizzleyanked]

what reshade are you using that gives that 3d-glasses-ish effecct? u.u

hi! that's chromatic aberration, there's a shader that i believe is called precisely that that comes with reshade. i don't remember which pack it comes with. it is part of my reshade preset, but really, the most chromatic aberration in my pics comes from my editing--namely from using nik collection filters in photoshop! (x - x; see for prev asks about my use of those filters)

[xombiriot]

TOP 3 Metal Albums I Enjoyed from 2023

A lot of great metal came out this year and it was hard to narrow it down to my Top 3. There were some great EPs released this year— Spiritbox’s The Fear of Fear, Brand of Sacrifice’s Between Death and Dreams and Knosis’s The Eternal Doom among them. Singles I enjoyed include: "On the Verge" by thrown, “Masterpiece” by The Anchor, “Enemy” by The Gentle Men (ft. Andy Cizek), “Weight of the World” by Harper (ft. We Came as Romans and Brand of Sacrifice), “Viking” by Slaughter To Prevail, "III" by DEATHPHONK (Nik Nocturnal's weird project); and Knocked Loose had the double, “Deep In the Willow”/“Everything is Quiet Now”.

My Top 5 honourable mentions: 5. [m]other by Veil of Maya, their newest does everything I want it to do, good riffs, cool effects, great vocals; 4. Soul Elegy by Termina, Nik Nocturna, Andy Cizek and friends deliver an awesome metal album; 3. Chaos Horrific by Cannibal Corpse is a strong entry and shows why they're still so loved after so long; 2. The Fox and the Bird by Ok Goodnight mixes folk, rock, metal and whatever else they want to create this really entrancing album; and 1. Take Me Back to Eden by Sleep Token is one of the albums I listened to the most because it's easy to put on when you're tired of being relentlessly pummelled by deathcore, but though its highs are super high, it just misses out landing on my top 3 because there are a few spots it lags

3. ...And Everything In Between - Unprocessed

Manuel Gardner Fernandes has quickly become one of my favourite guitarists between this release and Unprocessed's previous album Gold. The combination of styles on this album exemplify modern metal: bludgeoning heaviness, thumpy prog riffing (à la Animals As Leaders or Polyphia) and a mix of harsh and clean vocals. Despite the polish of these 9 tracks, some express such raw emotion and a ferocity that they really get me hyped up. The variety of tones and vocals kept me engaged throughout, and they blend and balance heaviness and melody so well. The guitar sounds so angry sometimes–especially the part of "Thrash" where Manuel beats the shit outta his guitar after screaming, "But you're just a fucking lie!" I love that. Other songs like "Blackbone" and "Die on the Cross of the Martyr" continue the trend of excellent instrumentation, the latter featuring guest solos by Polyphia's Tim Henson and Scottie Lepage. It's so well done and so engaging. In the short time I've had this album, it's become one of my favourites of 2023.

2. Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre - Periphery

When Periphery released "Wildfire" as a single I immediately bought into what they were selling. The way they transition through the various parts is seamless, the mix of vocal techniques and the jazzy interlude are all fantastic. It really captures the spirit of the whole record. Songs like "Dying Star" and "Zagreus" are also so hard. Periphery continues to show off their musical dexterity, and the band members prove once again they're not only some of the best musicians djenting their way through the world but as a collective they add up to more than the sum of their parts. My hottest take when it comes to this album is that I love "Silhouette" — it's like if you ran 80s soft rock and 90s/00s boy bands through a progressive music filter. I think they wrote this song and put it on the album just to prove they can do anything. And if Periphery is Djent, and Djent isn't a genre then why shouldn't they go in every genre direction they want to explore?

1. War of Being - TesseracT

In other years this top 3 could have been entirely deathcore or melodeath or metalcore, but this year it was djenty prog metal through and through. It's the music I gravitated to the most this year and nobody did it better than TesseracT. Daniel Tompkins vocals are incredible throughout, his cleans sounding particularly great on "Echoes" – giving us one of the best choruses before following it up with another great one on "The Grey". The album offers engaging lyricism throughout and the instrumentation is at a pedigree one would expect for a band in the vanguard of this genre. The album gives us atmospheric moments, synths, meditative passages before blasting us with metal. In many ways the whole album does what the best tracks on Sleep Token's Take Me Back To Eden do. Each song and the album as a whole provide an expansive experience. And that's why it's my number one. More than any other album released this year, TesseracT's War of Being makes me want to sit down and listen to it from beginning to end.

Other great albums: SUPERBLOOM by Silent Planet; Fatalism by Polaris; Feral by Left To Suffer; Foregone by In Flames; Ashen by Humanity's Last Breath; The Sin of Human Frailty by END; Symptoms of Survival by Dying Wish; and The Death We Seek by Currents.

[lillslillslilly]

CHAPTER SIX

Chapter Six

Her key rattled in the lock as she pressed on the handle of the door, failing at the first try. Her mind was preoccupied; every single axon in her brain dedicating itself to only filter thoughts involving Maxine, the napkin with her phone number, Maxine, the book, Maxine, the strange situation earlier at the coffee house, Maxine, which book to lend her, and Maxine some more. Captivated – she was her own prisoner, and her mind was the jail cell. It controlled her. Her mentality was completely engulfed by the thought of Maxine, and nothing could interfere with that. Though, she didn’t want anything to interfere, anyway. The thought of her name warmed her cosily like a campfire; the idea of her curls softening under her touch meditated her; the sound of her voice floated her into the clouds.

Pure muscle memory: she continued to rattle the lock until finally, a click unlocked access to her apartment, the herbal fragrance of incense biting straight at her nose as she swung the door open.

“Hey, how was work?” Nikola greeted Victoria from the squash-orange sofa as she placed her coat on the table by the front door. Their apartment opened straight into the living room, which was rather hippie – scattered oranges and whites and greens; strange collages and artwork on the walls; large-leaved green plants in pots. Though the room seemed to identify as ‘scattered’, everything had its place, and it was actually thought out well to compliment the theme (the only theme the three of them could decide on, which they defined as ‘cosy’). 

“Hmmm, not too bad. How was your day?” Vic replied, stumbling towards a long white cabinet housing a record player and a whole shelf of vinyls – her sacred collection. She crouched to search for the ‘C’ section of her shelf, located ‘The Ride’ - an album by Catfish and The Bottlemen - and slipped it out, setting it on the player above.

“Yeah, not too bad. El helped me with a shoot so I could update my portfolio,” Nik spoke as she rummaged through a handful of print outs. “Ooh, turn it up. This is a great song,” she added, nodding her head up and down to the beat of ‘7’ playing from the record player sat a few feet from her.

Vic hovered over the player, increasing the volume slowly. Most of the music in their apartment was her influence, the majority of the records and instruments lying around the flat being hers, though the three of them all devoured the albums equally.

She collapsed onto the sofa next to Nik and started to look through the array of photographs that had been placed upon the sofa cushions and the glass coffee table in front of them both. Yellow sunset lighting engulfed Elliott. His shadowy curls were pinned with a yellow hairclip on the left about an inch and a half above his ear, which a black, heart-shaped earring dangled from. His jawline was perfectly sharp, and his skin was glowing clear, the golden highlighter upon his bones shimmering in certain photographs. The same highlighter sparkled in the inner corners of his eyes, saluting the black liner upon his waterline. His torso was covered by a black tank vest top, outlining his figure. His trousers were flared at the leg like the sleeves on a bell-top, making him look much taller than he truly was.

“These are so cool, Nik. You are so talented. God he’s pretty,” Vik praised as she analysed each of them, before stopping and lifting a specific one in the air. “This one is my favourite, wow.” This time, he was consumed by the same lighting, though his configuration was slightly blurred by it. In his hand lie the etch of a cigarette penetrating smoke, which was captured perfectly as it defused into a typhoon.

“If he doesn’t use this as an album cover one day, I will be disowning you all.”

“I’ll bare that in mind,” Nikola laughed, collecting each photograph into a neat pile, eventually slipping them into a folder.

She hesitated before speaking again, deciding whether to say what she had planned to.

“He called me on his way to work, by the way. He said we were invited to dinner?”

Vic’s hands grew clammy and her body fidgety.

“Yeah. I’m not quite sure what happened. Somehow, he and Max’s roommate know each other, and she invited us all to theirs Sunday.”

“Yeah, he explained a bit…” Nikola began, hesitant once again.

“Nik, you can tell me. Please tell me.”

She upturned her bottom lip, cranking a considerate smile as she gestured Vic to sit closer. She wrapped her arm around Vic’s, comforting her.

“You should speak to him about it. Trust me.”

Vic released a sigh of disapproval before agreeing with Nikola. She knew that if Elliott was up to something, it would be best to hear it from him.

“How are you feeling about the dinner though?”

Vic’s expression was un-readable now. Her mind was loud with all of the worry and stress but also joy and curiosity regarding their upcoming dinner party, that not even her face could decide on an expression to signify how she felt.

“I’m not sure. Kind of excited, but also absolutely horrified. And nervous. Mostly nervous.”

“Okay, you finish work at one tomorrow, right? I’ll meet you when you finish, we can go and pick up some bits to take Sunday, choose you an outfit and then everything will be prepared – nothing to worry about. And if you get overwhelmed at any point whilst we are there, just let me know, okay? It’s okay to be nervous.”

There was something about the way that Nikola always knew what to say or do in every situation and her immense control of emotions that instantly comforted Victoria and allowed her worries to subside a little. Victoria lent into Nikola’s hug a little tighter – a voiceless agreement.

“I like her.”

Nikola’s smile grew, still soft, but now also pleased.

“I know.”

_____

Max was curled up onto the sofa, lavender candles alight on the table in front of her, fairly-lights glowing around her, and a movie flickering on the screen before her. She hadn’t been home long, only giving her enough time to change into her pyjamas and set up the room. She’d settled on watching Beauty and The Beast (the Emma Watson version, obviously).

She was engrossed in the film until the light of her phone screen flickered in her peripheral view, which then gained her full attention. She had been waiting for this, wondering if the notification would ever arrive – it had. Her eyes pounced to the text on the screen.

Hello, love.

She pulled herself up into her seat, the adrenaline in her body speeding up her reaction. Typing quickly, she sent the message, which encouraged another notification.

Hiiii

Pink pen? I never would have taken you for a pink pen kind of girl.

Ahaha, it’s Wrenn’s. I don’t know how it ended up in my bag, though…

How are you?

Sleepy. Not all of us have a gallon of caffeine in our system right now. And how are you?

Hahaha. Yeah, I’m okay. You should rest! x

Rest? Nah, I’ve got Pride and Prejudice to read. Have you heard of it? ;) x

Nope, never. You should tell me all about it when you’ve read it! :) x

Sure thing :)

So, do you read anything other than romance?

Sometimes… it depends on my mood…

I’ll take that as a no ;) x

Okay, fine. Maybe not BUT I’m open to suggestions!

What do you have in mind?

I guess you will find out in the morning…

Good night, Maxine 💗

Good night, Victoria 💗

______

Like clockwork, at exactly nine a.m. Maxine strolled through the door of the coffee house, as she did most mornings, flashing a poisonous set of peals from her lips completely cultivating Victoria.

“Good morning,” she yawned through her smile.

“Hello, love. And how are we this morning?”

“Well, it’s nine in the morning on a Saturday, I’ve not got a drop of caffeine in my system and I’m about to spend the next 9 hours conversing with people.”

“Hunky-dory then?” Vic teased, causing Maxine to exhale a chuckle. Vic’s ears hugged the sound – its calling was like a flower’s to a bee.

“You could say that. How are you?”

“I’m all good. Oh, I have something for you,” she reached into her bag, which sat underneath the checkout, and pulled out a dark coloured book.

“It’s no romance, sorry, but it’s really good. Maybe it’ll expand your taste a little.”

“Expand my taste?” Maxine echoed, voice full of tease, like a parrot. “Are you saying my taste is bland?” she continued, articulating the last word with mockery and emphasis, which made Vic fluster.

“Hmm, maybe a bit.”

She loosened her grip on the book as she held it out for Max, though she held on enough to avoid it from dropping. The other girl reacted to this by also lifting her hand to receive it, unintentionally connecting their skin, freezing everything around them. A swarm of electricity dove onto Vic, where their hands met. A pulse of tingles, like pins were pressed against her, tickling their way down her hand, up her arm, and throughout her entire body slowly, reaching each pore of her skin one by one. Once it made its first round, it circulated again, channelling tingles of nerves and desperation and infatuation around every inch of her. It lasted for so long that Vic completely lost the ability to control her body, making her a statue, completely mesmerised by the view in front of where she stood. Her heart accelerated – each pulse of electricity igniting it.

But was it keeping her alive or was she only now just discovering what it was like to be living?

“Carrie,” whispered from the other girl’s lips, in nothing more than half a shaky exhale. Did she feel it too?

It took a moment for Vic’s ears to sync back up to her brain, and another for her brain to sync but up to her mouth, where she remained unresponsive.

“Stephen King,” she finally mumbled, slowly withdrawing her hand, disconnecting the invisible live wires between their skin. This awoke her, bringing her back down from the high she’d just been exposed to, now able to finally re-sync her senses, though her mind was still slightly misty similar to that of the autumn morning.

“Oh, it’s not too scary, I promise. Eerie, if anything.”

“Thank you,” the earthy-eyed girl spoke.

In the process of concocting Max’s morning caffeine, Vic found the nerve to strike up another conversation, in desperation to marinade herself in Maxine’s presence.

“Did you want me to bring anything to dinner tomorrow?”

“You don’t have to, but you can if you’d like. I’m going to whip up a few things, you know, buffet style.”

“Perfect.”

_____

The afternoon had announced itself rather quickly for Vic, brewing caffeine for countless people, not really giving her much time to rest before Nikola had arrived declaring the end of her shift. Her current state: propped on the bathroom floor, Elliott to her right, painting streaks of bleach into Vic’s hair. He mocked her, calling this a ‘breakdown resulting in a makeover’. After stocking up on crisps, fruit and ingredients for Elliott to make his signature brew to accompany the three of them to dinner tomorrow, Vic had found herself lurking in front of the hair dye. She’d impulsively decided that she’d spend her afternoon incorporating purple streaks into her hair, though Elliott seemed to be doing most of the work.

“Ellio, can I ask you something?” Vic asked, legs crossed like a kid while Elliott worked away – painting an image of a mother doing her child’s hair.

“Of course, mi corazón.”

“Can you explain yesterday now?”

[nikshahxai]

Nik Shah: Achieving Clarity and Growth Through Objective Thinking

In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of clarity and growth cannot be overstated. Individuals and businesses alike seek ways to navigate uncertainty and achieve lasting success. One person who has truly mastered the art of clarity and growth is Nik Shah. With a unique approach centered around objective thinking, Nik Shah has become a beacon for those looking to achieve meaningful results in their personal and professional lives.

In this article, we will explore how Nik Shah has achieved clarity and growth through his commitment to objective thinking. We will delve into the strategies he uses, the mindset behind his approach, and how you can adopt these principles to enhance your own journey.

The Power of Objective Thinking

Objective thinking is at the heart of Nik Shah’s approach. But what exactly does it mean? Objective thinking involves making decisions and forming opinions based on facts and logic rather than emotions, biases, or preconceived notions. This mindset is crucial for gaining clarity in any situation. By focusing on the facts, Nik Shah can objectively assess challenges and opportunities, which allows him to make informed decisions that lead to growth.

How Objective Thinking Leads to Clarity

Clarity comes from removing unnecessary distractions and focusing solely on what matters. In many cases, people struggle with decision-making because they let emotions cloud their judgment. Nik Shah, however, has cultivated the ability to filter out irrelevant noise and focus on objective facts. This skill not only brings clarity but also enables him to maintain a calm and collected approach in high-pressure situations.

For those seeking clarity in their lives, adopting objective thinking is a game-changer. It involves looking at situations with a fresh perspective, free from biases, and embracing solutions that are grounded in reality. When you apply this kind of thinking to your challenges, you gain a clearer understanding of the situation and are better equipped to take the next step toward growth.

Growth Through Clarity

Nik Shah’s success is a direct result of the clarity he has achieved through objective thinking. Growth through clarity is not a coincidence—it's the outcome of a disciplined approach to decision-making. By cutting through the clutter, Nik has been able to identify opportunities for growth that others might overlook.

The Role of Strategic Planning in Growth

Strategic planning plays a significant role in Nik Shah’s ability to achieve growth. Through objective thinking, he is able to develop clear, actionable plans that set him up for success. This involves not just identifying what works, but also understanding what doesn’t. Nik’s strategy involves constant refinement and improvement based on real-world feedback, ensuring that his approach stays aligned with his ultimate goals.

For anyone aiming for growth, it's essential to incorporate strategic planning into their daily practices. By setting clear goals, regularly reviewing progress, and adjusting strategies as needed, individuals can stay on track to achieve meaningful growth.

Nik Shah’s Approach to Personal Development

While objective thinking has helped Nik Shah achieve business success, it has also been a critical component of his personal development. For Nik, personal growth isn’t just about climbing the professional ladder—it’s about continuous self-improvement, gaining new perspectives, and fostering a mindset of growth.

Embracing Self-Reflection

One of the cornerstones of Nik Shah’s personal development journey is self-reflection. Through regular introspection, he is able to assess his strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This practice allows him to continuously evolve, adapting his approach to new challenges and opportunities.

For those looking to grow personally, self-reflection is key. It helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts, behaviors, and actions, enabling them to make conscious decisions that align with their growth objectives.

Leveraging Feedback for Improvement

Another key aspect of Nik Shah’s personal growth strategy is seeking feedback from others. Objective thinking allows him to receive constructive criticism without taking it personally. He views feedback as a tool for growth rather than as a personal attack. By taking feedback seriously and using it to refine his approach, Nik continuously improves himself and enhances his ability to achieve long-term growth.

Applying Nik Shah’s Principles to Business Success

Nik Shah’s approach to clarity and growth isn’t limited to personal development—it’s also highly effective in the business world. In fact, objective thinking has been one of the driving forces behind his entrepreneurial success. By focusing on what matters, being open to change, and continuously refining his strategies, Nik has been able to build thriving businesses.

Analyzing Opportunities and Risks

In business, the ability to assess both opportunities and risks is crucial. Through objective thinking, Nik Shah is able to make well-informed decisions that lead to sustainable growth. By evaluating both the positive and negative aspects of any opportunity, he can make decisions that maximize potential while minimizing risks.

For business owners and entrepreneurs, adopting an objective approach to decision-making can significantly improve outcomes. By conducting thorough analysis, weighing all options, and taking calculated risks, businesses can thrive in competitive markets.

Building a Strong Network

In addition to strategic thinking and planning, Nik Shah’s success can also be attributed to his ability to build and leverage a strong professional network. Networking is an essential component of growth, and by objectively assessing relationships and opportunities, Nik has been able to connect with the right people who help fuel his success.

Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts; it’s about building meaningful relationships that can support growth over time. Nik understands this, and his ability to foster mutually beneficial connections has been a cornerstone of his success.

The Role of Consistency in Achieving Growth

While objective thinking is a powerful tool, consistency is the key to long-term success. Nik Shah’s ability to stay consistent in his efforts has been integral to his growth. Whether it's working toward personal goals, business milestones, or building his network, consistency ensures that progress continues even when challenges arise.

Developing Healthy Habits

Consistency doesn’t just apply to work—it also extends to personal habits. For Nik, maintaining a routine that supports physical, mental, and emotional well-being is critical for maintaining peak performance. This includes regular exercise, healthy eating, and mindfulness practices that help sustain his energy and focus.

Individuals looking to achieve sustained growth must also prioritize consistency in their daily routines. By forming habits that support your growth goals, you ensure that you remain on track to reach your objectives, regardless of external challenges.

Leveraging Technology for Clarity and Growth

In today’s digital age, technology is an invaluable tool for achieving clarity and growth. Nik Shah has embraced technology as a way to streamline decision-making, gather data, and improve overall efficiency. Through digital tools, Nik is able to track his progress, analyze outcomes, and adjust his approach in real time.

Digital Tools for Objective Thinking

From project management apps to analytics software, technology can help individuals maintain focus on the facts, remove distractions, and stay on course. By leveraging these tools, individuals can enhance their objective thinking and drive growth more effectively.

For businesses and entrepreneurs, technology can serve as a catalyst for progress. Using digital tools to monitor key metrics, evaluate performance, and refine strategies is an essential part of scaling a successful venture.

Final Thoughts: Clarity, Growth, and the Path Forward

Nik Shah’s journey to clarity and growth through objective thinking is a testament to the power of strategic, data-driven decisions. By eliminating distractions, focusing on facts, and embracing a mindset of continuous improvement, Nik has unlocked the potential for personal and professional growth.

For anyone seeking to achieve similar success, the principles outlined in this article offer a solid foundation. Adopting objective thinking, setting clear goals, leveraging technology, and maintaining consistency are all essential steps toward achieving lasting growth.

Nik Shah’s approach to clarity and growth serves as a powerful reminder that success doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of clear vision, strategic planning, and relentless execution. Embrace these principles, and you too can embark on a journey toward clarity, growth, and ultimate success.

Incorporating these key insights into your own life will not only help you achieve your goals but also set the stage for long-term success and fulfillment. Start applying objective thinking today, and unlock the growth you’ve always envisioned.

Explore More on @nikshahxai

Personal Development & Education

Philosophy, Ethics & Society

Technology & Innovation

Life Sciences & Health

About the Authors

For more information about Nik Shah's digital presence, as well as insights from contributing authors such as Nanthaphon Yingyongsuk, Sean Shah, Gulab Mirchandani, Darshan Shah, Kranti Shah, John DeMinico, Rajeev Chabria, Francis Wesley, Sony Shah, Dilip Mirchandani, Nattanai Yingyongsuk, Subun Yingyongsuk, Theeraphat Yingyongsuk, and Saksid Yingyongsuk, click here to explore further.

References

Shah, N.. (n.d.). Archive.org

Nik Shah 90210. (n.d.). Blogger

[retouchingcloud]

The Art of Jewelry Photo Retouching

Jewelry photo retouching is a meticulous art form that breathes life into jewelry images, transforming them from good to truly extraordinary. This process requires careful attention to detail, a deep understanding of aesthetics, and mastery over editing tools to bring out the brilliance, color, and beauty of each piece. Whether you're a jewelry photographer, retoucher, or business owner, understanding the art of jewelry photo retouching can elevate your visual content and engage your audience. Let's explore the essential elements of this specialized art form.

Understanding the Importance of Jewelry Photo Retouching

Jewelry retouching is essential to showcasing jewelry pieces at their best. Often, images straight from the camera don't fully capture the sparkle or intricate details due to various factors like lighting, reflections, and background distractions. Through retouching, you can highlight the essential elements of jewelry pieces, from diamonds to metals, making them visually appealing.

Boosting Brand Image and Sales

Quality images play a crucial role in online shopping, as buyers rely solely on visuals to make purchasing decisions. Retouched jewelry photos can significantly enhance a brand’s image, leading to increased trust and credibility among customers. When a product looks flawless, potential customers are more likely to make a purchase, directly impacting sales.

Essential Tools for Jewelry Photo Retouching

These two software are the industry standards for product photo retouching. Adobe Photoshop offers a wide range of tools, including the clone stamp, healing brush, and adjustment layers, to handle everything from background cleanup to intricate detailing. Adobe Lightroom, on the other hand, is excellent for basic adjustments like color correction, exposure, and contrast, making it a great starting point before moving on to Photoshop.

Specialized Plugins and Filters

To further enhance your jewelry images, consider using specialized plugins like PortraitPro and Color Efex Pro. These plugins add unique filters and adjustments, saving time and creating specific effects that can bring out the shine and sparkle in gemstones. With tools like Nik Collection or Topaz Labs, you can achieve professional-looking results with ease.

Techniques for Perfecting Jewelry Images

One of the first steps in jewelry retouching services background removal. A clean, solid-colored background enhances focus on the jewelry. After isolating the jewelry from the background, you can add subtle shadows or reflections to create a professional look. A neutral or white background is most commonly used to give the piece a high-end appearance.

Polishing Metal and Gemstones

Bringing out the natural shine in metals and gemstones is crucial in jewelry retouching. Techniques like the dodge and burn tool help highlight the metallic luster, while the clarity adjustment refines the sparkle of gemstones. This method can also correct imperfections or reduce unwanted reflections.

Enhancing Clarity and Sharpness

Jewelry pieces have small, intricate details that need to be sharp and clear. Focus stacking is a method that combines multiple images taken at different focal points to achieve maximum sharpness throughout the piece. This technique can be particularly effective in capturing fine details in macro jewelry photography.

Using the Sharpening Tool

Photoshop's sharpening tool, combined with high-pass filters, can accentuate the sharpness without introducing noise or grain. The goal is to strike a balance that keeps the jewelry image crisp while maintaining a natural look. Enhanced sharpness brings out details that draw viewers’ attention to the jewelry's craftsmanship.

Retouching Colors and Enhancing Gemstone Brilliance

Jewelry photography often requires color correction to make sure gemstones and metals look accurate and vibrant. Hue, saturation, and luminance (HSL) adjustments help in correcting color deviations and bringing out the authentic tones of each element. Color grading can also be applied to make images look polished and cohesive across a series.

Enhancing the Brilliance of Gemstones

To make gemstones look captivating, you can enhance their brightness and contrast. Using the dodge tool, gently lighten specific areas of the gemstone, creating the illusion of depth and luminosity. This technique helps in making gemstones look naturally brilliant and appealing to potential buyers.

Removing Imperfections and Unwanted Reflections

Dust, scratches, and minor imperfections on jewelry are common and can detract from the overall image quality. Using the spot healing brush and clone stamp in Photoshop, you can effectively remove these flaws. This step ensures that the jewelry looks flawless, increasing its appeal.

Eliminating Reflections and Fingerprints

Reflections, especially on polished metal surfaces, are inevitable in jewelry photography. Advanced retouching techniques, like frequency separation, help to smooth out unwanted reflections without losing texture. By eliminating distractions like fingerprints, the jewelry’s brilliance shines through.

Adding Shine and Gloss to Metal and Diamonds

Highlighting specific parts of the jewelry piece can add depth and make it look three-dimensional. Using Photoshop’s brush tool, you can create subtle highlights and shadows that give the piece a natural shine. This method can make metals look more polished and diamonds appear radiant.

Using the Blur and Glow Effects

For certain gemstones, adding a slight glow effect can enhance their natural sparkle. The blur tool can be applied subtly to areas around diamonds, creating an aura effect. This adds to the overall allure of the jewelry and makes it look more luxurious.

Adjusting Contrast and Brightness for Perfect Lighting

Proper exposure ensures that every part of the jewelry is visible. Underexposed areas may lose detail, while overexposed areas can appear flat. By adjusting brightness and exposure, you can bring out the true colors and textures of jewelry. This balance is essential for making images look professional and eye-catching.

Controlling Highlights and Shadows

Adjusting the highlights and shadows can help create a more balanced and appealing image. Too much brightness can make certain elements lose detail, while dark shadows can hide key features. By fine-tuning these aspects, jewelry pieces look both realistic and stunningly detailed.

Final Touches: Polishing the Overall Image

Once all the adjustments are complete, the final step is to crop and resize the image for different platforms, such as e-commerce websites or social media. Maintaining a consistent aspect ratio ensures that all images fit perfectly in various layouts, giving a cohesive look across digital platforms.

Applying a Subtle Vignette Effect

A soft vignette effect can be applied to draw the viewer’s eye to the center of the image, where the jewelry is positioned. By darkening the edges slightly, the focus remains on the jewelry, enhancing its visual impact without being overly distracting.

Optimizing for SEO: Making Jewelry Images Search-Friendly

To make jewelry photos SEO-friendly, add descriptive alt text and image titles. These should include relevant keywords that reflect the jewelry type, gemstone, or style. This not only helps search engines understand the content but also increases the chances of your images appearing in search results.

Compressing Images for Faster Load Time

Image size is an important factor for website performance. Compressing images without losing quality ensures faster load times, which improves user experience and can positively impact SEO. Tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim can help achieve this balance.

Conclusion

Jewelry photo retouching combines technical skills with a keen eye for aesthetics to produce captivating images that attract customers and drive sales. Mastering these techniques, from enhancing clarity to creating realistic shine, can make a noticeable difference in how jewelry pieces are perceived. As you refine your skills, remember that patience and practice are essential. Each jewelry piece has its unique qualities, and with the right tools and techniques, you can bring out the best in every shot.

[andreaskorn]

Need For Speed: Deluxe Edition (2015)

Nik Collection: Bildfilter auf Screenshots anwenden

Garage mit leeren Stellplätzen. Welche Wagen kommen neu hinzu? Im Test wurde Analog Efex 2 (Nik Collection) mit einem Vintage Stil auf ein Screenshot angewendet. Zugleich existieren hier auch im Filter Sortiment "Bokeh" oder "Bi-Color". Diese Modifikationen finden sich auch im Foto-Modus des Games unter den dortigen Effekten.

Aber bei Bedarf kann man hier ja selbst nachbessern und ein Motiv mit automatischen Effekten für Affinity Photo erzeugen. Zur Installation ist unter Einstellungen der Installationsordner des kostenfreien Google Filterpacks als Plugins anzuwählen.

(Abb. Analog Efex 2: mit Vintage Effekt und Bokeh Schärfe/Unschärfelinse; der Mustang steht im Fokus)

Affinity Photo (2.5.3) scheint aber kleine Probleme mit diesem Nik Plugin zu besitzen. Zumindest ist es bei meinem PC so. Ist ein Bild geöffnet, sind die Filter ausgegraut und lässt sich nicht anwählen.

Abhilfe:

zuerst in Affinity Photo einen beliebigen Programm internen Standard-Filter (z.B. Ausleuchtung) anwenden. Diesen Schritt rückgängig machen. Danach konnte ich die Nik-Collection (und alle Varianten) im Test ordnungsgemäß unter Windows 11 verwenden.

Vgl. die Wikipedia Übersicht über alle bisherigen Teile.

Dr. Andreas Korn, 09.07.2024

+ + +

[photoeditorph1]

Using a Photo Editor for Creative Projects: Ideas and Inspiration

Introduction

Photo editors are powerful tools that offer endless possibilities for creative projects. Whether you're a professional photographer, a graphic designer, or an enthusiast, using a photo editor can help you transform your photos into unique works of art. This blog post will explore various ideas and inspirations for using a photo editor in creative projects, helping you unlock your full artistic potential.

Creative Project Ideas

1. Digital Collages

Layering Photos: Combine multiple photos by layering them in Photoshop or similar software. Use layer masks to blend and merge elements seamlessly.

Textures and Patterns: Add textures and patterns to your collage for a more artistic look. Experiment with blending modes to achieve different effects.

2. Double Exposure

Overlay Images: Create a double exposure effect by overlaying two photos and adjusting their opacity. Use layer masks to control the blending of specific areas.

Black and White Conversion: Convert one of the images to black and white for a striking contrast and dramatic effect.

3. Photo Manipulation

Fantasy Scenes: Use photo manipulation techniques to create fantasy scenes. Combine different elements like landscapes, animals, and objects to craft surreal compositions.

Composite Images: Create composite images by blending multiple photos into one. Use tools like the Clone Stamp and Healing Brush to make seamless transitions between elements.

Inspirational Techniques

1. Adding Text and Graphics

Typography: Incorporate typography into your photos for added visual interest. Experiment with different fonts, sizes, and colors to complement your image.

Graphic Elements: Add graphic elements like shapes, icons, and illustrations to enhance your photo. Use vector graphics for scalable, high-quality additions.

2. Color Grading

Mood and Atmosphere: Use color grading to set the mood and atmosphere of your photo. Adjust the hues, saturation, and luminance to create a cohesive color palette.

Split Toning: Apply split toning to add a unique color cast to the highlights and shadows, enhancing the overall aesthetic of your photo.

Tools for Creative Photo Editing

1. Adobe Photoshop

Layer Styles: Use layer styles for effects like shadows, glows, and bevels to add depth and dimension.

Filters and Plugins: Explore various filters and plugins to achieve creative effects. Popular plugins like Nik Collection and Topaz Labs can expand your creative options.

2. Adobe Lightroom

Presets: Use creative presets to apply unique looks to your photos. Customize and save your own presets for consistent results.

Graduated and Radial Filters: Use these filters to apply localized adjustments, enhancing specific areas of your photo.

Tips for Creative Editing

1. Experiment and Explore

Try New Techniques: Don't be afraid to experiment with new techniques and tools. Explore tutorials and online resources to learn and grow your skills.

Break the Rules: Creative editing often involves breaking traditional photography rules. Embrace your artistic vision and push the boundaries of what's possible.

2. Stay Inspired

Follow Artists: Follow other photographers and digital artists for inspiration. Platforms like Instagram, Behance, and Pinterest are great sources of creative ideas.

Join Communities: Join online communities and forums where you can share your work, receive feedback, and learn from others.

Conclusion

Using a photo editor for creative projects opens up a world of possibilities. Whether you're creating digital collages, double exposures, or fantasy scenes, the right tools and techniques can help you bring your artistic vision to life. By experimenting with different ideas and staying inspired, you can push the boundaries of your creativity and produce stunning, unique images that captivate and inspire others.

[g00melo5-art-blog]

Nik Collection

Inspirational content and educational video resources for the Nik Collection have been created to illustrate some of the basic filter application and enhancement techniques possible with Nik Silver Efex, Nik Viveza, Nik Analog Efex, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Color Efex, Nik Perspective Efex, Nik Dfine, Nik Sharpener