Preferred editing software for beginner?
Nov 22, 2014 05:28:57 #
JerseyJim wrote:
I use Corel Paintshop Pro (now version X7 Ultimate). I have used Adobe in the past but find PSP easier to use and faster to load. It has also replaced Capture NX2 since all formats of .NEF are now supported.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Nov 22, 2014 05:30:00 #
Nikon_DonB wrote:
Welcome to the Hogg from another Chicagoan!
I've always used Corel Paintshop Pro. It's reasonably priced and works as well as Photoshop at a fraction of the price. Plus it is user-friendly. You can download a free 30 day trial on their site.
I've always used Corel Paintshop Pro. It's reasonably priced and works as well as Photoshop at a fraction of the price. Plus it is user-friendly. You can download a free 30 day trial on their site.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Nov 22, 2014 05:35:30 #
Nov 22, 2014 05:36:21 #
DavidPine
Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
Because you have the resources I going to suggest you join Adobe's Creative Cloud for a whopping $10.00 per month. You get Photoshop 2014, Bridge, Adobe Camera RAW and Lightroom 5. There are a tremendous number of tutorials on YouTube and Adobe TV. There is a learning curve but the material is available. Most all the pros recommend these programs. Welcome to UHH and good luck.
b8campbell wrote:
Most of my compositions have gone unedited/unenhan... (show quote)
Nov 22, 2014 05:54:52 #
When I first started using digital in 2005, I was using Nikons free software to enhance files and convert from RAW to JPG. Then moved to PSE 8 and thought that was all I would every need. Found Lightroom 4 for about $80 and downloaded it. Lightroom changed everything. Use PSE very little anymore. Just get Lightroom, learn it and you will have a program you will use for years to come and be happy.
Randy
Randy
Nov 22, 2014 06:04:41 #
b8campbell wrote:
Most of my compositions have gone unedited/unenhan... (show quote)
Since you have already used Photoshop and liked it, why not continue? Photoshop and Lightroom are available for $9.99 per month with a 1 year commitment. Both are constantly updated and live on your computer so that you can take the laptop or whatever with you and it also comes with Ipad mobile software. I haven't used the mobile as I have Android but I do carry a Widows laptop and have it on there. (Adobe says you can have 2 machines on a license but I have 2 desktops which use it at the same time and a laptop that we use when traveling so we never have more than 2 on at a time.)
Nov 22, 2014 06:27:15 #
Nikon Capture NX2 has been a great editor and processor for Nikon RAW files but unfortunately Nikon stopped updating it this past summer. I recently bought Photoshop Elements 13. If you get PSE 13 and want a good book check out: "Teach Yourself Visually Photoshop Elements 13". It's great for learning because it combines text and screen shots.
Nov 22, 2014 06:28:25 #
b8campbell wrote:
Most of my compositions have gone unedited/unenhan... (show quote)
Rather than getting an application that serves your needs for today, I will ask the question, "how long do you intend to remain a beginner?" Which will reveal what your goals are. This will help determine what a good recommendation looks like.
I began with Photoshop 4 in 2000, and I have yet to outgrow it. But I wanted to get the most out of my images and was willing to put a little effort into it.
Nov 22, 2014 08:06:54 #
b8campbell wrote:
Most of my compositions have gone unedited/unenhan... (show quote)
I use Paintshop Pro X7, I like it, I used X3 until recently. I have used GIMP but not for a few years so I am not up to date with recent improvements, it works but I found it a little awkward compared to Paintshop. I haven't used Photoshop so I can't comment on it.
Nov 22, 2014 08:08:58 #
I totally agree with @Yooper2. Picasa is free and will do virtually everything you will need to do while you learn what you like. Once you reach a point where you think you want to move beyond Picasa, then I would strongly suggest Elements (if it is still a "no rent" product) or something more capable such as PaintShopPro.
I would warn you that going to Photoshop immediately will likely result in information overload and a stark realization that once you step into the software rental scheme, you are obligated to continue paying forever as long as you want to use the software because it's dead when you cease paying. Like renting a house, you pay for it and then when you leave, you have nothing but memories and your old photos. Stay away from rental software unless you're committed for life.
I would warn you that going to Photoshop immediately will likely result in information overload and a stark realization that once you step into the software rental scheme, you are obligated to continue paying forever as long as you want to use the software because it's dead when you cease paying. Like renting a house, you pay for it and then when you leave, you have nothing but memories and your old photos. Stay away from rental software unless you're committed for life.
Nov 22, 2014 08:10:25 #
Welcome! I totally agree with Yooper. When I started out I was very confused and Picasa gave me the opportunity to play with processing before I spent the dollars on getting something better. We were using Photoshop CS6 in our business so I "borrowed" it and really enjoy using it but as others have said, it gives you a whole lot more than you will ever need. A friend got Elements but has been frustrated trying to get it to work with her Mac.
Yooper 2 wrote:
For a beginner who hasn't worked with processing s... (show quote)
Nov 22, 2014 08:20:48 #
Photoshop elements 13 would be a good choice. then, if you get more interested in post processing, you will have a head start on Photoshop CC.
Nov 22, 2014 08:26:57 #
Having taught college level photography since 1972 , I say go with free and simple first, like Picassa . Gimp is free but not simple , good things can be done with it . Paintshop Pro is a second step , as is Photoshop Elements. Remember the KISS rule . ( keep it simple stupid )
Nov 22, 2014 08:29:30 #
schoonerman wrote:
Having taught college level photography since 1972 , I say go with free and simple first, like Picassa . Gimp is free but not simple , good things can be done with it . Paintshop Pro is a second step , as is Photoshop Elements. Remember the KISS rule . ( keep it simple stupid )
It also makes a difference what platform you happen to be using for your computer OS.
Good luck with PSP if you are Mac....at least with Adobe and products like GIMP they are available on more than just Windows...
Nov 22, 2014 08:29:55 #
mtparker wrote:
GIMP is free and well regarded.
I use and recommend Photoshop Elements 13. The full version of Photoshop (CS6) is overkill for most, repeat most, of us. I have it too and rarely need what it offers.
I use and recommend Photoshop Elements 13. The full version of Photoshop (CS6) is overkill for most, repeat most, of us. I have it too and rarely need what it offers.
I probably ought to download a copy of GIMP to re-evaluate, but really I'm pretty happy with the editors I now use. I checked Gimp out a couple times and did not like it particularly but I've not looked at for more than ten years.
A free download that I do like a lot is Raw Therapee. It doesn't support layers or masks but aside from that does most of what I ever want. I use it as a front-end tool to do initial processing and then use Paintshop Pro for final editing if masks or other layer operations seem needed. You can sharpen in Raw Therapee but generally turn that over to PSP since it provides a little better flexibility and control.
PSP is not free but it is pretty cheap and similar in capability to Photoshop.
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