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photo editing software recommendations?
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Dec 24, 2018 12:07:48   #
AquaAndy
 
I new here so please don't flame me for asking a question that has already been asked many times. I did try searching but only came up with threads that were old with the newest being from 2013. I would love to learn and use lightroom and photoshop but for the amount that I would use the software I can't see paying $120 a year for it and I don't want another monthly bill. My current cameras are a Nikon d3400 and an Olympus TG-5. The Nikon is used on land and the TG is really only used underwater which is where most of my photography takes place (at this point in time). I have been using the Olympus software with the TG as I have not found any free or trial software that plays well with the RAW files from this camera. I'm not sure if there is much of an underwater crowd here but RAW is huge in underwater photography as you lose the colors of the spectrum as you go deeper, so the W/B eyedropper tool is like magic. I have not tried to ask this question in the big underwater forum as you are not worthy unless you have at least $10K into your setup, so I pretty much stay clear of that place. Here are a couple of photos from my last trip to Bonaire.





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Dec 24, 2018 12:19:31   #
Bobwire1939
 
Check out Affinity Photo. It does about everything PhotoShop and PhotoShop Elements does for a onetime cost of $50.00 (no subscription). I made the change a little over a year ago and never looked back. I really like it.

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Dec 24, 2018 12:19:40   #
Larry Powell Loc: Columbus OH
 
PhotoShop Elements may be your best solution. I have been using it for years. Just bought PSE 2019 fot $79 and B&H. No subscription. Elements also give you some graphic design capability and if you wish to add text to an image or project you have it.

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Dec 24, 2018 12:21:54   #
G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK
 
Search for Free post processing programmes. Look at the software that came with your camera CD and also what is available from their website for free.(they do not always ship it on the CD)
I use linux so use lots of freeware some like Gimp are free on windows, See if Digikam, Raw therapee and Darktable are free for your Operating system. These are great!
BUT everyone has their own favourites and there are a lot of free and cheaper options now that photography has sky rocketed in use.

Most larger programs have a bit of a learning curve....whereas the smaller ones use similar terminology but you get to use and explore all of them quickly (less drop down menu's) so as a beginner try the simpler versions for a short time (remember they are simple!) and at some point you will know 'what else' you need to do to your images.

As an aside......whilst checking out PP look at composition too.....This makes the biggest difference to your images.....just saying :-)

have fun

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Dec 24, 2018 12:25:53   #
rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin
 
Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop photography subscription bundle

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Dec 24, 2018 12:26:22   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Once you get comfortable with LR, you use it for all your images as it's a digital library of your work as well as your primary editing tool, therefore the 'amount' you use goes from a little / some to all / always. The first image would be improved by cropping to a different aspect, say 16:9 and removing the empty foreground of the sand. The bottom image looks great exposure and focus-wise, but a bit of cropping would help as well as maybe darkening the shadows (the black) to further isolate the color.

The training on LR and PS can be done completely free via the multitude of videos on u-tube and Adobe's own website. Other software can be purchased for 1-time payments, but if you get a new camera (RAW format) or want some new feature they release, you then have to pay nearly full-price for that upgrade.

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Dec 24, 2018 12:27:12   #
KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan
 
My recommendation: since you are shooting raw, every photo you take will require some PP, so go ahead and take the plunge and get & learn Lightroom/PS. Really, almost anyone can afford $10 a month. Yes, there are all kinds of other very good software options out there, however, Lightroom/PS really IS the industry standard.

It will require some work, use, & thought but it is also fun & rewarding to see the amazing things that can be done.

Check out my website. Everything on there was produced through Lightroom, including 40 year old scanned slides & photos.

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Dec 24, 2018 12:34:04   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
Try this site for help with your TG-5:
https://www.scubaboard.com/community/forums/underwater-photography.3/

https://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/tg5-raw-format-mac.558507/

.

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Dec 24, 2018 13:06:01   #
DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area
 
AquaAndy wrote:
I new here so please don't flame me for asking a question that has already been asked many times. I did try searching but only came up with threads that were old with the newest being from 2013. I would love to learn and use lightroom and photoshop but for the amount that I would use the software I can't see paying $120 a year for it and I don't want another monthly bill. My current cameras are a Nikon d3400 and an Olympus TG-5. The Nikon is used on land and the TG is really only used underwater which is where most of my photography takes place (at this point in time). I have been using the Olympus software with the TG as I have not found any free or trial software that plays well with the RAW files from this camera. I'm not sure if there is much of an underwater crowd here but RAW is huge in underwater photography as you lose the colors of the spectrum as you go deeper, so the W/B eyedropper tool is like magic. I have not tried to ask this question in the big underwater forum as you are not worthy unless you have at least $10K into your setup, so I pretty much stay clear of that place. Here are a couple of photos from my last trip to Bonaire.
I new here so please don't flame me for asking a q... (show quote)


I understand what you're saying about disliking the $10/month recurring charge from Adobe, but, nevertheless, I note that RAW editing for the TG-5 is supported by Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom: https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-supported-cameras.html.

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Dec 24, 2018 14:42:55   #
Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.
 
AquaAndy wrote:
I new here so please don't flame me for asking a question that has already been asked many times. I did try searching but only came up with threads that were old with the newest being from 2013. I would love to learn and use lightroom and photoshop but for the amount that I would use the software I can't see paying $120 a year for it and I don't want another monthly bill. My current cameras are a Nikon d3400 and an Olympus TG-5. The Nikon is used on land and the TG is really only used underwater which is where most of my photography takes place (at this point in time). I have been using the Olympus software with the TG as I have not found any free or trial software that plays well with the RAW files from this camera. I'm not sure if there is much of an underwater crowd here but RAW is huge in underwater photography as you lose the colors of the spectrum as you go deeper, so the W/B eyedropper tool is like magic. I have not tried to ask this question in the big underwater forum as you are not worthy unless you have at least $10K into your setup, so I pretty much stay clear of that place. Here are a couple of photos from my last trip to Bonaire.
I new here so please don't flame me for asking a q... (show quote)


Gotta chime in, for $10.00 a month you get the best software available, kept up to date for no extra charge. You will notice every other package mentioned is compared to Photoshop - wonder why that is ? :)

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Dec 24, 2018 14:59:21   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
Here's a few relatively current UHH links.

https://www.google.com/search?q=photo+editing+software+recommendations+site:uglyhedgehog.com&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-Address&source=lnt&tbs=qdr:y&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi4pcfqn7nfAhVCnuAKHfACDUMQpwUIJA&biw=1087&bih=689

--

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Dec 24, 2018 15:46:25   #
Hershel Loc: New York City
 
AquaAndy wrote:
I new here so please don't flame me for asking a question that has already been asked many times. I did try searching but only came up with threads that were old with the newest being from 2013. I would love to learn and use lightroom and photoshop but for the amount that I would use the software I can't see paying $120 a year for it and I don't want another monthly bill. My current cameras are a Nikon d3400 and an Olympus TG-5. The Nikon is used on land and the TG is really only used underwater which is where most of my photography takes place (at this point in time). I have been using the Olympus software with the TG as I have not found any free or trial software that plays well with the RAW files from this camera. I'm not sure if there is much of an underwater crowd here but RAW is huge in underwater photography as you lose the colors of the spectrum as you go deeper, so the W/B eyedropper tool is like magic. I have not tried to ask this question in the big underwater forum as you are not worthy unless you have at least $10K into your setup, so I pretty much stay clear of that place. Here are a couple of photos from my last trip to Bonaire.
I new here so please don't flame me for asking a q... (show quote)


Andy,

Feel free to send an email with your question to uw@bhphoto.com and one our resident underwater experts will respond.

All the best.

HERSHEL

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Dec 24, 2018 20:37:19   #
nsilberma Loc: San Jose, Calif.
 
I had the same issue a few years ago and switched to Corel Phtoshop Pro and I am very happy with it. Does everything I need like Adobe programs I used and it is only $ 69.99; and you own the program. I does have a good RAW editor and lots of features and capabilities. Try it for yourself before deciding. They have lots of training videos on line so the learning curve is pretty easy.
https://www.paintshoppro.com/en/products/paintshop-pro/ultimate/

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Dec 24, 2018 20:57:02   #
Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV
 
I'm looking for the same thing more or less. After denying the need for in-depth pp for a long time, I'm finally coming around...maybe. The Christmas Tree worm shot is pretty nice.

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Dec 25, 2018 05:50:50   #
Ollieboy
 
I've had great results with Anthropics software. I use Smart Photo Editor and Landscape Pro. They suit my needs and are very reasonably priced. Big plus is they are very easy to use. I find Photo Shop non intuitive and difficult to learn.

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