tbohon Loc: Olympia, WA USA

Although I try to take 'final' shots at the time I am realizing that I need some post-processing software (and lots of practice) to make corrections, enhance my picture or try to bring out what I was 'seeing' when I snapped the shutter.

I hear a lot about Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom 4, Elements 10 and 11, GIMP ... and frankly it's confusing to a newbie in this type of software.

So ... question to anyone interested in replying ... what software do YOU use, what is it's ONE main strength and what ONE thing do you wish it did that it currently doesn't do?

I figure that a bunch of honest answers from the talented photographers on UHH is a good start to starting to focus on the software I need.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Tom

nafplyr Loc: Chicago

Thanks Tom for bringing this topic up.
I too am new to the digital experience and I read the references to ts6 etc and get only more confused.
I do know that they can be a considerable investment if you are only a casual photo guy.
So all of you pros out there in UHH land help us out. Please.
Thanks ahead of time
ED

pigpen

I've been using PSE for about 3 years. It's very good, and a fraction of the cost of the full suite. I recently got LR4, only because it was a hell of a buy. Now that I'm getting used to it, LR4 is a great tool. I use Nik software for B&W conversion. Also a great tool. If you currently shoot RAW, or plan to in the future, LR4 is great. I do work in LR then go to PSE to finish the image. The more familiar I get with LR, the less I do in PSE. Go to youtube.com and type in "lightroom 4 tutorial", or "PSE tutorial", or "Gimp Tutorial", etc, etc, ... This is where I get a lot of info on software. Gimp is free, and very similar to Photoshop. You can downlaod it and play around. Once you feel comfortable, you can get PSE.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

I use Canon's Digital Photo Professional that came with my EOS mostly because I shoot RAW and like to tweak my shots a little, for ease of use though I use Google's Picasa http://picasa.google.com. It couldn't be any easier and even pre-processes RAW images for you. Recently though I've also started using Canon's Picture Style Editor for interesting tweaks and of course I use GIMP http://www.gimp.org when I do major tweaks. All free and all worth it!

Start with Picasa and you can grow from there.

djlen Loc: Somerdale, S.Jersey

I've been using Corel PaintShop Pro X5 and am very happy with it. I tried PhotoShop and Elements and found them confusing and much more difficult at least from my perspective.
I also us Gimp which is very effective and FREE, btw.
I would urge you to download and try all the trial versions you can lay your hands on and then buy, or just use the free one that you like.
Hope this helps some.

nafplyr Loc: Chicago

Thanks guys I had heard of LR,and I even got a book that list a lot of free sites too, but it's good to hear from some people that are actively using them.
ED

Jinzee

I have worked with multiple graphics programs. I can't tell you abut Adobes Lighthouse/Lightroom, because I have not used that program. However, Many years ago I used some Adobe products, and they were fantastic! Being an artist I appreciate being able to work quickly and efficiently without having to figure out how to do what I want without referring to the rocket science manual... As I had to do with Adobe's advanced CS4 which was not user friendly at all, and needed a lot of key commands to operate. Which is why I prefer Corel/PSP. I like the ability to work in layers, and feel that the smudge tool is vital to my restoration work. I highly recommend this program if you want the ability to do 'everything'. Of course it takes some experimenting, and fooling around with, but I can't see any reason why any serious artist/photographer would not be pleased with all of the possibilities this program delivers. If you are just wanting something very simple with very little manipulation then there are some inexpensive very easy to use programs out there to experiment with. You can also try looking for some free downloads, and see what you like best. I hope this us helpful.

tbohon Loc: Olympia, WA USA

And that was the impetus behind my original question ... who uses what, why do you prefer one over another, etc. I also thought that I might learn of other programs about which I know nothing ... :-)

Thanks for the replies, looking forward to hearing more from others.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Mine is a very similar story except I started with Lightroom and later added PSE11. I also use NIK- bought the suite when it was on sale. Mainly wanted it to play with HDR and for B&W conversions. I like all three programs. Lightroom does nearly everything I want and I strongly suggest you start with it. Usually if I go to PSE11 at all it is to remove a power line or some other artifact I couldn't eliminate when taking the picture. Good luck. :)

al davis Loc: chesterfield virginia

I have to agree with Db7423 lightroom4 is fantastic.I also use elements 11.I do 90% of my post in lightroom.The other 10% in elements 11.One thing I like to do when working with editing programs is I will open the program on my desk top and you tube on my lap top punch in what I want to try and copy what is being done.If I get lost I just hit the pause and go back and believe me I do get lost LOL.If you are able to do that it does help.The beauty is it can be done with what ever program you decide to go with.Good luck with your decision. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Except for the sentance about Gimp, I'll echo these comments; have never used Gimp. BTW, I use Nikon's CaptureNX2 for what PP I do - for the essentials, the learning curve is not steep and there are not layers and layers of menu options to wade thru.

fthomas Loc: Philippines

Corel is great for the price and a bit more user friendly than PhotoShop! It has some limitations, but you are not likely to run into them. I use PhotoShop CS6 and it is only limited by my knowledge and skill with the software. That is an endless process of learning! PhotoShop has a limitless amount to learn and is only limited by your skill and imagination.

If you are new, Corel is a far better value in my opinion.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

I use view NX2 that came with my camera...and thinking about capture NX2 as an upgrade.

Frank47 Loc: West coast Florida

I currently use LR 3 20% of the time and PSE 10 80% of the time and soon will be upgrading to LR 5 and PSE 12 when available. I find LR slightly better at adjustments to things like white balance, saturation, sharpening, shadows/ highlights etc. BUT, the diversity of tools in PSE can't be beat at $79 for things like cropping, cloning, straightening, adding text etc. if I were buying only one, I'd get PSE and move to LR when you felt you needed to.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

They work together very nicley - I use View to get a lpp0k and send to NX if I wnat ot modify in some way.