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Time to toss PS11 & Photos
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Jan 9, 2019 10:13:31   #
Raz Theo Loc: Music City
 
The only editing system I have (ever) used is Photoshop Elements 11. Recently it dawned on me that I have hardly used it lately, substituting instead the basic program, Apple's Photos. The reason for this is that I was never comfortable with PS (probably a little lazy) and lacked the interest and persistence to really learn it. Photos is just simpler. But you get what you pay for right? I want a little of the creative post-production I see from many of you Hogs and on other sites. But I need help. What's out there? What program do you find most intuitive? Most efficient? Most flexible without breaking the bank?
Thanks in advance for your advice.

Reply
Jan 9, 2019 10:15:21   #
BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA
 
Raz Theo wrote:
The only editing system I have (ever) used is Photoshop Elements 11. Recently it dawned on me that I have hardly used it lately, substituting instead the basic program, Apple's Photos. The reason for this is that I was never comfortable with PS (probably a little lazy) and lacked the interest and persistence to really learn it. Photos is just simpler. But you get what you pay for right? I want a little of the creative post-production I see from many of you Hogs and on other sites. But I need help. What's out there? What program do you find most intuitive? Most efficient? Most flexible without breaking the bank?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
The only editing system I have (ever) used is Phot... (show quote)


They will all entail time to learn. First you need to decide if you want to devote the time to learn. It sounds like you really have not decided.

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Jan 9, 2019 10:20:02   #
Raz Theo Loc: Music City
 
BobHartung wrote:
They will all entail time to learn. First you need to decide if you want to devote the time to learn. It sounds like you really have not decided.

Good point. There is "then" and now there's "now". I should have stressed my renewed motivation but I'm still looking for those magic words: intuitive and logical.
Thanks for that.

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Jan 9, 2019 10:39:04   #
jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ
 
Raz Theo wrote:
The only editing system I have (ever) used is Photoshop Elements 11. Recently it dawned on me that I have hardly used it lately, substituting instead the basic program, Apple's Photos. The reason for this is that I was never comfortable with PS (probably a little lazy) and lacked the interest and persistence to really learn it. Photos is just simpler. But you get what you pay for right? I want a little of the creative post-production I see from many of you Hogs and on other sites. But I need help. What's out there? What program do you find most intuitive? Most efficient? Most flexible without breaking the bank?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
The only editing system I have (ever) used is Phot... (show quote)


Photoshop CC for photographers comes with Lightroom Classic CC, Bridge, Photoshop CC and a mobile version of Lightroom for $9.99/month. That's not breaking the bank. You want to learn how to do something, Youtube videos has more videos than you can shake a stick at for all of them.

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Jan 9, 2019 10:59:20   #
djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now
 
I have found that I rely more and more on Topaz Labs software. Something for everyone. The first product I purchased was Topaz Adjust 5. It will do amazing things for poorly exposed shots and is relatively easy to learn. Now with Topaz Studio (free) I can do most anything I have in mind. djt

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Jan 9, 2019 11:00:19   #
BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA
 
Raz Theo wrote:
Good point. There is "then" and now there's "now". I should have stressed my renewed motivation but I'm still looking for those magic words: intuitive and logical.
Thanks for that.


In that case:
"Intuitive and Logical" all depend on your point of view. Without learning the basics of any program, they will never meet your criteria. The first time I tried Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) my that was "What the ...". Now after some reading, it seems perfectly logical and I would say intuitive.

I use only the Adobe Photoshop bundle, Photoshop CC 2019 and Lightroom Classic CC 2019. Don't make the mistake to using Lightroom CC (note the absence of 'Classic'). Note that the ACR engine is identical in the Adobe Camera Raw program (freestanding) and Lightroom Classic CC. They just have somewhat different interfaces with LR winning in my book. LR also is a great archive filing system. Be sure to start out with a good directory structure for your images preferably on an external HD. Mine is basically:
[home folder name] (I use images-Catalog name)
[Year]
[Location 1] -State or Country
[Sub location 1] - City/county/area (as vague or specific as you want)
[Locations 2] etc.

I always store the processing information in a "Sidecar" file withe the 'XMP' file extension. There are many arguments pro and con on this topic but it boils down to having a copy of the processing steps somewhere other than the "Catalog" in case that is corrupted.

Be sure to back up your Catalog often, preferable to an external drive different from your image drive. Also keep a backup of your images. Update often.

The reason I do it this way is so in January, I can make a permanent Blu-Ray DVD of the prior years images and 'XMP' files to place in the Safe Deposit Box. Even though the processing may change, I always have the originals.
First, check out You Tube for tutorials for Lightroom Classic CC.

Jeff Schewe also has two good books not Lightroom and ACR processing.

Only once you really understand ACR processing should you jump into Photoshop IMHO.

My initial thoughts. Be aware there are a thousand and one methods of proceeding.

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Jan 9, 2019 11:02:48   #
Raz Theo Loc: Music City
 
jeep_daddy wrote:
Photoshop CC for photographers comes with Lightroom Classic CC, Bridge, Photoshop CC and a mobile version of Lightroom for $9.99/month. That's not breaking the bank. You want to learn how to do something, Youtube videos has more videos than you can shake a stick at for all of them.

Even though I know, use and think the internet is amazing, YouTube, Amazon reviews, Google and the like are poor substitutes for hearing from you guys. I want to hear personal opinions from folks I have come to respect after 5 years on this site. But I appreciate your point. Thanks

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Jan 9, 2019 11:04:47   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
I found PS Elements totally comfortable (and intuitive) after having dealt with Corel Paintshop Pro for a year. You could download the current version for a free trial, if you're curious what has changed since ver. 11

Reply
Jan 9, 2019 11:05:10   #
Raz Theo Loc: Music City
 
djtravels wrote:
I have found that I rely more and more on Topaz Labs software. Something for everyone. The first product I purchased was Topaz Adjust 5. It will do amazing things for poorly exposed shots and is relatively easy to learn. Now with Topaz Studio (free) I can do most anything I have in mind. djt

Thanks dj. I'll look it up.

Reply
Jan 9, 2019 11:11:12   #
Raz Theo Loc: Music City
 
BobHartung wrote:
In that case:
"Intuitive and Logical" all depend on your point of view. Without learning the basics of any program, they will never meet your criteria. The first time I tried Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) my that was "What the ...". Now after some reading, it seems perfectly logical and I would say intuitive.

I use only the Adobe Photoshop bundle, Photoshop CC 2019 and Lightroom Classic CC 2019. Don't make the mistake to using Lightroom CC (note the absence of 'Classic'). Note that the ACR engine is identical in the Adobe Camera Raw program (freestanding) and Lightroom Classic CC. They just have somewhat different interfaces with LR winning in my book. LR also is a great archive filing system. Be sure to start out with a good directory structure for your images preferably on an external HD. Mine is basically:
[home folder name] (I use images-Catalog name)
[Year]
[Location 1] -State or Country
[Sub location 1] - City/county/area (as vague or specific as you want)
[Locations 2] etc.

I always store the processing information in a "Sidecar" file withe the 'XMP' file extension. There are many arguments pro and con on this topic but it boils down to having a copy of the processing steps somewhere other than the "Catalog" in case that is corrupted.

Be sure to back up your Catalog often, preferable to an external drive different from your image drive. Also keep a backup of your images. Update often.

The reason I do it this way is so in January, I can make a permanent Blu-Ray DVD of the prior years images and 'XMP' files to place in the Safe Deposit Box. Even though the processing may change, I always have the originals.
First, check out You Tube for tutorials for Lightroom Classic CC.

Jeff Schewe also has two good books not Lightroom and ACR processing.

Only once you really understand ACR processing should you jump into Photoshop IMHO.

My initial thoughts. Be aware there are a thousand and one methods of proceeding.
In that case: br "Intuitive and Logical"... (show quote)

Thank you Bob, great information. This helps and I will appreciate your final advice: "Only once you really understand ACR processing should you jump into Photoshop IMHO."
Thanks again

Reply
Jan 9, 2019 11:15:13   #
Raz Theo Loc: Music City
 
Linda From Maine wrote:
I found PS Elements totally comfortable (and intuitive) after having dealt with Corel Paintshop Pro for a year. You could download the current version for a free trial, if you're curious what has changed since ver. 11

Linda, thanks for your recommendation; there's seems to be an early trend toward PS & Lightroom. I probably would be more comfortable using something with which I have a (little) basic understanding. I think I'll start with that download now.
Much appreciation.

Reply
 
 
Jan 9, 2019 11:47:25   #
Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.
 
Raz Theo wrote:
The only editing system I have (ever) used is Photoshop Elements 11. Recently it dawned on me that I have hardly used it lately, substituting instead the basic program, Apple's Photos. The reason for this is that I was never comfortable with PS (probably a little lazy) and lacked the interest and persistence to really learn it. Photos is just simpler. But you get what you pay for right? I want a little of the creative post-production I see from many of you Hogs and on other sites. But I need help. What's out there? What program do you find most intuitive? Most efficient? Most flexible without breaking the bank?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
The only editing system I have (ever) used is Phot... (show quote)


I use Photos and Luminar. Luminar can be set up to be used as a stand alone, or as an extension in Photos.

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Jan 9, 2019 11:59:08   #
Raz Theo Loc: Music City
 
Mac wrote:
I use Photos and Luminar. Luminar can be set up to be used as a stand alone, or as an extension in Photos.

Thanks Mac. I've heard Luminar is a good fit with Photos. I'll check it out.

Reply
Jan 9, 2019 12:43:28   #
G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK
 
The trick with PSE is to use what you need. When stuck for something new google for tutorials because there are usually three ways to do it. I started out with written tutorials and printed them out into a ring file. That way you are not 'bogged down' trying to master everything. It also makes you try harder at 'getting in camera' what and how you like your images.Also bookmark the tutorial sites you like...it speeds up the time it takes to find out 'how'.
have fun

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Jan 9, 2019 14:22:28   #
Raz Theo Loc: Music City
 
G Brown wrote:
The trick with PSE is to use what you need. When stuck for something new google for tutorials because there are usually three ways to do it. I started out with written tutorials and printed them out into a ring file. That way you are not 'bogged down' trying to master everything. It also makes you try harder at 'getting in camera' what and how you like your images.Also bookmark the tutorial sites you like...it speeds up the time it takes to find out 'how'.
have fun

G. Brown, your wisdom is exactly what I was hoping for. My issue with PS 11, and other programs I've read about, is that it/they are heavily weighted toward stuff I have no interest in or need for. As you suggest, I need to identify what I need first. The tutorial ring file idea is excellent. Much appreciation.
Thank you

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