Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

Hi All,
I am interested in opinions and suggestions on software choices. I have just recently started shooting RAW. I am a Nikon Shooter(D3100). Most of my shooting is of my kids in Hockey Rinks under horrible lighting conditions and through plexi. This is why I moved from JPEG to RAW, so that I could manipulate what I shoot a little easier. I am trying to get decent results without spending more on a lens than I would a car. At the suggetion of my local Cam Shop I am using a nifty 50 1.8(this was a great suggestion! Instantly improved quality 100% inexpensively and is forcing me to learn more about composition). I am currently using Gimp with the UFRaw plug in. It is a time consuming process(dont know if there is a way to batch process). What I need is mostly White Balence correction, Exposure correction and Noise correction. I have looked at PhotoShop and would love it but would rather spend the money on new glass. Any suggestions? Thoughts on Lightroom? (I use a PC) Any other programs to think about? I appoligize in advance for too much information but in the past when I have posted I have always been asked to tell more about my situation.
Thank YOu

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Before you look at any expensive software, I use photoshop, elements and PSP, psp or Paintshop Pro 7,8 and 9 are FULLY 100% compatible with everything you want to do and I have been using THIS since it came out

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JASC-Paint-Shop-Pro-7-10th-Anniversary-Edition-/321072359672?pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item4ac16768f8

DON'T get an unboxed version for £7 on ebay they are pirated and run off by the chap at home.

THIS is an illegal copy

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PAINT-SHOP-PRO-9-by-Jasc-with-Animation-Shop-3-New-Sealed-/321074638117?pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item4ac18a2d25

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

Thank You

PS Elements vs Paintshop Pro? Which do you prefer?

2da4est Loc: Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands

Didn't you get a copy of nikon's transfer and View Nx2? I know it came with my d7000 but I can not remember if it was only a trial. The view nx2 does a lot for me. (I had the same issue, underexposed shots)

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

I did get a copy but they are only trial versions. It is a good software package but before I bought it I wanted to know what others thought

GPoyner Loc: North Dakota

Jaackil - I've never heard that view nx2 was a trail version, did you not get the CD with your camera?

I also use PaintShop Pro x5, along with the View NX2 and Aftershot Pro.....they all work - I do find that Aftershot has more options, but View nx2 is good also.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I'm still trying mine four years later.

:thumbup:

2da4est Loc: Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands

I use a combination of software that I have bought along the way. I use Nikon Transfer, then I open in view nx. There I pick the one I want to work on and use Photoshop elements which handles my raw files and lets me recover. I have the viveza 2 but I am not thrilled about that one but it does come in handy. They each seem to have their own use. I also use some specialty "fun" packages but they can make quick work of some things. I move my image back and forth for whatever I need. The funny thing is, I just want the photo to be perfect out of the camera and 90% of the time all I do is crop and straighten. I just want to learn more about taking a good photo and not relying too much on photoshop right now. I feel I learn more that way and since I am not a professional, it is okay with me.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

I am sorry Capture NX is a trial version. I have never tried View NX. Yes I do have it I did get the CD with my Cam

2da4est Loc: Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands

The view nx will let you make the basic adjustments, give it a try. I use that as my first step just to see if it is a photo I want to go further with.

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

I agree I am not a Pro either actually dont even consider myself an ametuer, I am more of a hack who likes to take pictures. I generally like to get it right in camera too or at least try to. I usually shoot JPeg and try my best to get it right but there are too many things going on in a hockey rink which can easily fool any Camera no matter what you do. The brightness of the ice forces underexposure, because of the cycling of the lights the white balence and exposure can change from shot to shot. Add to that shooting through glass at fast moving targets with differnet color uniforms usually one light the other dark. So it seems to make sense without really really expensive glass to shoot RAW and try to fix things post

JimiJones Loc: Owings Mills, Maryland

Depending upon your future photography career plans, and budget, Photoshop CS6 and Lightroom 4 will provide eveything you will ever need in the post-processing arena.

PS is expensive, particularly if you have no previous version from which to upgrade, but it's a powerhouse of a tool kit.

Lightroom is great for staying organized and provides the same Adobe Camera RAW (ACR) module as Photoshop CS6.

Both packages offer 30-day, full function free trials. The caution there is that these software packages are so good at what they do, it may be difficult to simply walk away after the trial period ends. If you try, you'll want to buy. :lol:

Fat Gregory Loc: Southern New Jersey

If you are a Mac user consider Aperture 3 for file management and the Quick and Dirty. For serious work use the full NIK Suite of add ins... IMO the combo is very friendly and the results are noteworthy.

DPFotos Loc: Pembroke, Ma

I use Adobe CS6 Extended which has the ACR 7.3 plug-in. This is not cheap software, but I love this software. If I didn't want to spend the money that this software costs. I would purchase lightroom 4 amd PS Elements 11. There are days I don't take pictures, but there isn't many days that I am not using CS6.