Did you mention your computer type and model? Anyway, I think most computers today have a graphics card. My laptop does. When I downloaded Impression all I got was the color red in every window of the program. I learned on the Topaz Labs site that I needed to update my graphics card software. It led me to a site that searched my machine, identified the driver needed and with a few clicks, installed what I needed.

Impression works fine now.

There may be an upgrade for your open GL system too. But, I've never heard of that.

Most of my images are HDR. Not all. But, most. I've always used Photomatix Pro (latest version) to merge and deghost.

My early images were "overcooked." But, I've calmed down somewhat these days.

SLR (Single Lens Reflex) cameras go way back and use film only.

DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras, as the "D" implies, are digital and capture images to a sensor and then transfers the images to a card for later processing.

It's that simple. first came SLR cameras. I bought my first SLR in 1968. Then came DSLR cameras. I bought my first DSLR in 2011.

Rich, I watch their vidoes over and over. At 66 it takes at least twice! :)

Rich, I watch their vidoes over and over. At 66 it takes at least twice! :)

Lately I've been using Topaz filters in this order...

Clarity (choose the appropriate filter preset within)
Detail 3 (usually Architectural II, HDR II or a landscape)
ReStyle (only sometimes, especially if I'm going to mask the subject in Remask 3 I apply a ReStyle filter to the background)
Adjust 5 (Brilliant Warm or Cold)
photoFXlab (to adjust highlights, shadows and sharpen a bit)
Clarity - sliders only to adjust individual colors
Simplify 4 - if I want to add one of the painting presets I created
Adjust 5 - add a bit of vignette.

In some of my bird images from Gatorland I used PSE11's eraser tool to erase the simplified birds and bring through the Detail 3 birds. Eraser is a cool tool.

Rich,

Thank you for those kind remarks. I'm happy to share with you all the components that makes up my "digital darkroom."

HP Pavilion dv7 laptop (17+ inch screen)
Logitech M705 cordless laser mouse
Wacom Intuos 5 touch pen/tablet (large)

Lightroom 4+(for lens and chromatic aberration corrections)
Photoshop Elements 11 (to build layers using Topaz Filters)
Photomatix Pro (for merging HDR images)
Topaz Plugin Filters - the entire suite including photoFXlab (all accessible through PS, Elements and Lightroom)

In every case Topaz filters do the heavy lifting. There are more than 1,000 filters available via the various Topaz plugins.

Nice close. Sharp captures. I was at Gatorland 2 Saturdays ago for the first time. I got several interesting images there. My images, though, tend to be more digital art. You can see them at: http://www.flickr.com/exhibit_images

I don't quite understand what this update will do. Is it for Windows? Is it for installation into my D7100?

I bought my first SLR in 1968. It can't even remember the company name. It was Japanese. I don't think the company is around any longer. I bought it along with Soligor lenses with my paychecks from a summer job.

I use the Nikkor 18-200mm as my walk-a-round lens. It is sharp.

Having said that though, I suggest you invest in an editing program like Photoshop Elements (I use version 11) that offers sharpening tools.

You can also download Nikon's ViewNX2 for free. It offers some sharpening as well.

Try this before having to pony up for an expensive lens.

Great tutorial and fun to watch!

Are you referring to photoFXlab? Free?

I started with PS Elements 10 and Topaz plugins (all). They do not work as standalone. But, if you purchase their photoFXlab standalone, you can access all the plugin filters through that.

I, for one, would be interested in seeing your results with the Tokina.