Here are a few photos that I have taken. I just use photo shop, the free version. I would like to purchase one but not sure which program would be good for a beginner and possibility to use for when I am much more experienced. But take a look and let me know what you think. I would love to be able to take the car out of the background and I think that would help a lot.
I use LightRoom 3 in unison with Photoshop CS5. I've also purchased plug-ins for CS5 from Imaginomic and Topaz Labs. This is not the inexpensive way to go, but it gives me such great control over my images that I couldnt imagine any other way. A lot of people are intimidated by Photoshop but its really not that difficult to learn. There are several free on-line resources and Ive learned a ton of Photoshop techniques just from watching You Tube videos.
The author Scott Kelby puts out some great books on the Adobe products, easy to read, easy to follow. I feel very comfortable in Photoshop and Ive never taken a formal class. Adobe also offers student/teacher discounts.
Picture 1 the image is a bit too cool, I would fix the white balance with a single click in Light Room, then adjust the light levels and remove the graininess in CS5.
Picture 2 - is oversaturated and needs some fill light. I really like the orange saturation of the horizon, Light Room would allow you to easily saturate just that area without over-saturating the reminder of the image. It would also let you add some fill light to the turtles head without brightening the remainder of the image.
Picture 3 I could easily remove that car with CS5s content aware fill feature.
Thank you so much johnrennie for the feedback. I will have to keep those programs in mind. You helped me out a lot. My goal is to take pictures I can eventually put onto canvas or just enlarge and hang up around the house. you were very helpful:)
I like the basics of all three but totally love the last. John has lots of good suggestions. I would also straighten the horizon in the first and on the last I would decrease the shadows. These are easy fixes with photoshop elements 9 (which I use and love). PSE9 has many easy fixes. Some are auto fixes such as levels, contrast, and color. I also has guided editing which is good for learning the basic edits. And it has many more complex and fun edits you can do. It is a lot cheaper than photoshop. My feeling is that photoshop is the way to go only if you plan on going professional.
mommy115 wrote:
I like the basics of all three but totally love the last. John has lots of good suggestions. I would also straighten the horizon in the first and on the last I would decrease the shadows. These are easy fixes with photoshop elements 9 (which I use and love). PSE9 has many easy fixes. Some are auto fixes such as levels, contrast, and color. I also has guided editing which is good for learning the basic edits. And it has many more complex and fun edits you can do. It is a lot cheaper than photoshop. My feeling is that photoshop is the way to go only if you plan on going professional.
I like the basics of all three but totally love th... (
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Thank you for all your advice:)
I have PS9 (couldn't afford CS5) and like it however there are other packages that enable you to make some adjustments a lot easier. I'm a big fan of Lightroom and do my initial adjustment in that program but my final refinements I do in PS9.
Last shot is great and you have a a call on what eles you want to do. it,s yours.
Sudique wrote:
I have PS9 (couldn't afford CS5) and like it however there are other packages that enable you to make some adjustments a lot easier. I'm a big fan of Lightroom and do my initial adjustment in that program but my final refinements I do in PS9.
I tried lightroom yesterday and its gonna take me a bit to get use to. I was also pricing software and it is a bit pricy so that will be a purchase down the road :( I will have to check out PS9, thank you.
I've learned that PS9 offer's a lot of the same features that CS5 does. I've just never used Elements so I'm not sure what the difference is. It's a lot cheaper, that's for sure!
I'd agree with mommy115, if you're not shooting pro, CS5 is probably overkill... look into those student/teacher discounts though!!!
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