Hi I'm new to photography and I have a couple questions. Can anyone recommend a good book about learning the basics like lighting, focus, ISO, aperture, etc. lol I basically know nothing. I have a canon power shot sx40 and I'm trying to figure out how to get the most professional looking pics I can. Second question, any opinions on which editing software is better, aperture for Mac (I have a Mac computer) or photoshop elements 11.
For editing, I would go with Lightroom 5 to start, and then get Elements 11 if you find you really need it.
I used to use CS2 all the time, but now just use Lightroom with an occasional venture into Elements when I want something more technical, like stitching
THE book that you want is "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.
Very highly recommended by me and by many many others on here.
Also very highly recommended is "The Photographers Eye" by Michael Freeman.
If you were only ever going to read 2 photog books these would be 1 & 2 on my list.
Shanakuhn1 wrote:
Hi I'm new to photography and I have a couple questions. Can anyone recommend a good book about learning the basics like lighting, focus, ISO, aperture, etc. lol I basically know nothing. I have a canon power shot sx40 and I'm trying to figure out how to get the most professional looking pics I can. Second question, any opinions on which editing software is better, aperture for Mac (I have a Mac computer) or photoshop elements 11.
lighthouse wrote:
THE book that you want is "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.
Very highly recommended by me and by many many others on here.
Also very highly recommended is "The Photographers Eye" by Michael Freeman.
If you were only ever going to read 2 photog books these would be 1 & 2 on my list.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Dal1970 wrote:
For editing, I would go with Lightroom 5 to start, and then get Elements 11 if you find you really need it.
I used to use CS2 all the time, but now just use Lightroom with an occasional venture into Elements when I want something more technical, like stitching
Yes you are right on I must say and I have CS 5 and hardly use it any more.
So is Lightroom easier to figure out than elements?
Shanakuhn1 wrote:
So is Lightroom easier to figure out than elements?
yes I found it easier for sure but you should have both.
RJM
Loc: Cardiff, S Wales, UK
To start with, I'd try Picasa 3 by google which is a FREE download and is ultra easy and quick to learn.
It's surprising what you can do with it, downloading, organising, including tagging, cropping resizing, straighten, collages, printing, etc etc
I have Lightroom 4.6 and Elements 11 but, for the ease and speed, Picasa beats them hands down.
As for books, the ones recommended are fine (as are many others) BUT you can't beat being shown.... most of what you need to know is on YouTube...........and that's free, too!
Consider joining a camera club or doing an evening course where the fee is reduced by the local authority.
RJM
Loc: Cardiff, S Wales, UK
Elements 11 has three choices of beginner to Expert and also has a file cataloging system.
I have this and Lightroom 4.6.
They're both fine but I wouldn't say they are that easy to learn by yourself but Elements is probably the easier of the two.
To be honest, I'm a big Picasa fan and use that 90% of the time. If it had levels, dodging and burning, and one or two other things, it'd be all you ever needed.
Dal1970 wrote:
For editing, I would go with Lightroom 5 to start, and then get Elements 11 if you find you really need it....
I would reverse that order. For starting, Elements is easier to learn and you can skip the organizer if you just want to edit your pictures.
Elements actually does some things that Lightroom cannot or does not do as easily, like spot healing.
Lightroom's organizer can be confusing and intrusive to beginners.
If you are going to LR5, check out the free YouTube tutorials by Serge Ramelli. Makes using this software a breeze and can give you amazing results.
If you use a Mac, read the July 2013 MacLife article on photography. It covers everything from cameras to editing and software. IPhoto is a great start to organize and sort photos. You can use aperture as a continuation and according to the article it competes very well with LR at a lower price!
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