New Alliance Aiding RIT’s Emphasis on Teaching Photography Digitally

Software from nik multimedia Inc. available for use throughout the RIT campus

An important advancement by nik multimedia Inc. in the execution of digital photography is benefiting students and faculty at Rochester Institute of Technology—ranked nationally for excellence in photographic education.

RIT’s School of Photographic Arts and Science has implemented and is using the complete set of image enhancement software developed by nik multimedia, a San Diego-based provider of digital imaging technologies. These software filter packages—nik Sharpener Pro and nik Color Efex Pro—are now available for use throughout the RIT campus.

nik Sharpener Pro is recognized as the most advanced resource for analyzing and sharpening digital images. The software allows students and faculty to meet their individual specifications in the imaging process by automating and optimizing the sharpening of digital image files.

"As part of our philosophy of teaching photography digitally, RIT is embracing this technology as an efficient teaching tool," says Bill DuBois, RIT photographic arts chair. "We’ve adopted Sharpener Pro as part of our daily workflow, providing our students and faculty with the best photographic output possible."

nik Color Efex Pro provides an added array of possibilities for campus image-makers. This software filter pack offers options that allow users to apply conventional photographic filter enhancments and stretch their imaginations and produce imagery that truly reflects the photographer’s vision. "As digital technology tools and software continue to evolve, RIT and nik multimedia are working together to ensure that each remains on the cutting edge of these changes," states Michael Dear, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences operations manager.

"We’re excited that RIT has recognized the benefits of nik multimedia products and pleased to make the latest technology available to the next generation of imaging professionals," explains Michael Slater, president and CEO of nik multimedia Inc. "The profession as a whole benefits from this exchange of resources and expertise."

nik multimedia focuses its development on a variety of technologies and applications for the photography, graphic design, pre-press/publishing, scientific imaging, and web publishing markets, making digital imaging more powerful and easier for a wide range of users.

RIT’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences enrolls over 800 students in programs including advertising photography, photojournalism, fine art photography, imaging and photographic technology, biomedical photography and imaging systems management.

For the past decade, SPAS has been ranked No. 1 for graduate programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, which has also ranked RIT overall as one of the nation’s leading comprehensive universities.