DxO’s Perspective Efex allows you to correct geometric distortion easily, doing so either automatically or manually in an intuitive, powerful, and quick manner. This perspective filter is a newer addition to Nik Collection 4. DxO introduced it in the Nik Collection 3 suite. It works as stand-alone software or as a plugin, using DxO PhotoLab, Affinity Photo, Adobe Lightroom Classic, Photoshop Elements and Photoshop as a host.
I’ll illustrate some of the perspective correction process with a couple of night photos.
First, I used it to correct the keystoning of an image of a desert church I took for a night photography Southwest-style Christmas card. I wanted to minimize the appearance that the church was leaning backward. Admittedly, the keystoning in this image is relatively subtle. After all, I had done the best I could to minimize distortion while using a Pentax 15-30mm f/2.8 lens. However, I thought I would try and minimize the distortion a little more.
Auto function to fix geometric distortion
I first attempted to use the Auto function. This appears to address everything that requires correcting. There are times in which this works brilliantly. However, it attempted to straighten everything, including the horizon, and turn the church around so that it was straighter. This created distortion elsewhere in the image.
Manually fixing geometric distortion
Here, I manually placed their reference lines to the areas that I want the program to correct, pressing Apply transforms the image. This worked quickly at applying the desired corrections. It was also easy to revert if I didn’t like it.
I drew lines from a couple of different areas of the church before being satisfied with the results.
Tilt-shift Miniaturization Effect
Perspective Efex also includes a Miniaturization Effect. This emulates the effect of a tilt-shift lens when used to create a very shallow depth of field.
Auto function on another structure
I was curious about how Perspective Efex would alter the perspective on this night photo of historic Kelso post office in Mojave National Preserve. I had photographed the structure from an angle. Would it straighten this to make it look like I was directly in front of it? See for yourself!
To be clear, there wasn’t anything wrong with the original photo. I was curious about what the Auto function would do. And I was curious about how well it would straighten the photo so it would like I had aimed the camera straight at the building.
General observations
DxO Perspective Efex is easy to use and works effectively. The Auto version works extremely well, correcting numerous kinds of distortion simultaneously.
You may use this as a stand-alone app. It also works as a plug-in with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop.Â
However, in Photoshop, Perspective Efex does not appear to create a new layer. I mention this because most of the other Nik Collection filters do create new layers if you have indicated so in its preferences.
Also, with most plugin filters, you may apply the same effect to a photo again — or to another photo — by selecting Filter and then the name of the filter. However, Perspective Efex simply opens. It does not apply the same distortion corrections as before. This is likely due to it needing to re-analyze the image.
Perspective Efex also corrects lens distortions such as barrel, pincushion and fisheye distortion through its Volume Deformation panel. And it has a lens correction module for specific lens/camera combinations. I did not use either of them here, but both work capably.
Best of all, Perspective Efex does all this intuitively and quickly.
Looks to be very effective. On the rare occasion I need to straighten up a warped building, I find Adobe Camera RAW to be good enough. This perspective adjustment is very clean on the image and looks great.
I still use the original Nik for special circumstances. I was one of those who paid dearly for it before Google abandoned it and gave it away for free.
I was also using Adobe Camera RAW for everything before I got this. Now, I tend to use this partially because I like the interface as well, and I like how the controls are set up more. But either one seems to be able to do a decent job.
I also was using the original Nik for special circumstances. And yes, I too purchased it when Nik owned it, even before Google acquired it!
Ken, thanks for the tutorial. Very helpful as I was not aware of this tool.
Hey sorry, Hadley, didn’t see this until just now. You are totally welcome. I just came across it myself and really liked the interface. Easy to use, quick and effective.
The Nik software has always been a cut above everything else. How I wish Nik – the company – was still around.
Thanks, Jim. I don’t know too much about them, but they did seem like a great company. I purchased the Nik Collection when Nik still owned it, before Google eventually acquired it.