Post processing (Page 4): i use photos that comes with a macbook as a first place to start . you can process jpeg or raw . i downloaded the nik free software , and i like to use color...

mort Loc: california

Janv wrote:

I'd appreciate suggestions on free, user friendly post processing programs that have been effective for your images. I'm a hobbyist and don't want to invest in Lightroom on a monthly basis. Or if there is a one time fee for a program, that would be considered. I have a Mac Air. Thanks in response to your suggestions!

i use photos that comes with a macbook as a first place to start . you can process jpeg or raw . i downloaded
the nik free software , and i like to use color efex pro 4 and pro contrast first to correct brightness and cast .
i then use veviza to sharpen and burn and dodge . veviza is like working in a darkroom . nik also has silver efex
for processing b&w , which , again , is like being in a darkroom .

mort Loc: california

nik has a free download , and using color efex and veviza along with mac's photos has been all i have needed .
also silver efex for b&w is like working in a darkroom .

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

apple photos.. free and does a pretty good basic job. After you learn a bit you could try Photoshop/Lightroom , On1 , etc.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Janv wrote:

I'd appreciate suggestions on free, user friendly post processing programs that have been effective for your images. I'm a hobbyist and don't want to invest in Lightroom on a monthly basis. Or if there is a one time fee for a program, that would be considered. I have a Mac Air. Thanks in response to your suggestions!

Go to the Apple store, there are many programs to choose from. One program, its free but then does limit some of what it offers, is Photoscape X. I use it all the time to put borders on images to post online. It does have general processing options.

Janv

Thanks ! I have a Canon 77d

Janv

Thanks for taking the time to share your suggestions! That sounds like a great place to start.

JBGLADSTONE Loc: Oregon

I have a Canon 80D with 24-105 f4 L
plus a Tamron 70-300mm.
ON1 2022.5 has an all in one PP system. A great improved No Noise. then AI Resize just released. My pictures taken last weekend. Really stand out. Similar to a Full Frame Camera.
That being said, you will have step to above $ 129.00. One the other nice thing is Standard processing can be AI. In other words All AI. You may want to crop. So that would be a manual do.
try the free 14 days to see if ON1 is as. easy as I say . Then down the road you will have one the best Post Processing packages available as you grow and want more control, it is ready to help you.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Janv wrote:

I'd appreciate suggestions on free, user friendly post processing programs that have been effective for your images. I'm a hobbyist and don't want to invest in Lightroom on a monthly basis. Or if there is a one time fee for a program, that would be considered. I have a Mac Air. Thanks in response to your suggestions!

It's hard to beat Adobe Photoshop ELEMENTS... think of it as a "lite" version of both Lightroom and Photoshop, all in one. Cost is about $100 (sometimes goes on sale for less). If you need to work with video, too, then you'd also want Adobe Premiere Elements. Sells separately for $100 too... but there is a bundle to buy both at the same time for $150. These are one-time purchases... not subscriptions like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.

Nice thing about Elements is that there's lots of support... books, online tutorials and user groups, plug-ins, etc.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some possibilities -

https://www.darktable.org/
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59324818
https://www.lightstalking.com/how-to-edit-rawtherapee/
https://www.lightstalking.com/free-photography-software/
http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-free-photo-editor
http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/the-best-photoshop-alternatives-that-are-totally-free-5974500
http://lightzoneproject.org/

AviRoad Loc: Westchester County, NY

Gimp sounds like what you'd be looking for and for editing RAW, add Darktable to the Gimp.

Pepsiman Loc: New York City

How can I download Picasa?

canonjohn922 Loc: Vineland,NJ

Janv wrote:

I'd appreciate suggestions on free, user friendly post processing programs that have been effective for your images. I'm a hobbyist and don't want to invest in Lightroom on a monthly basis. Or if there is a one time fee for a program, that would be considered. I have a Mac Air. Thanks in response to your suggestions!

Faststone imaging seems to work pretty good. I use it to pre view and at times make photos from them quickly.

Mileagemaker Loc: Jackson NJ

Nikon has a free program.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

Dark Table is fine, but I find it a bit difficult. I will have to try it some more.
Photoshop Elements is a fine program, esp when you get it on sale. I also added Elements+ to it for $12. Elements XL is supposed to be good, but I have not tried it.
Elements can be confusing, but there is a guided mode that is pretty easy. There are also a number of videos on YouTube that help out.
It does a lot of what real Photoshop does, but it is slimmed down for photographers.