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affordable post process software
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Feb 20, 2019 13:42:53   #
gofast Loc: Joliet, IL
 
I went back to college to learn more about digital so I can get better, and early on they're talking about post processing, etc. The only tools I currently have is what came with Win 10. I know a little about Photoshop. A little. Don't understand layers, what it means, how it works or how to. Yet.

I do know it is expensive software, like $500-600. Not exactly in my budget-pension only goes so far.
I've seen some talk about Lightroom (I think that's the name). How does that compare, and what's it cost?
I prefer as user friendly as possible. Later, if I get really into it, I would save up for PS.
Also, is there any good freeware out there?

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Feb 20, 2019 13:50:25   #
mffox Loc: Avon, CT
 
If you are working with Windows, try "Faststone" Image Viewer. It's free, its very basic, but will at least get you started.

Mark

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Feb 20, 2019 13:50:46   #
rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin
 
Abobe Photoshop Express is a relatively inexpensive one-time charge. It is a full-featured editing package used by many UHH members.

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Feb 20, 2019 13:55:44   #
joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois
 
gofast wrote:
I went back to college to learn more about digital so I can get better, and early on they're talking about post processing, etc. The only tools I currently have is what came with Win 10. I know a little about Photoshop. A little. Don't understand layers, what it means, how it works or how to. Yet.

I do know it is expensive software, like $500-600. Not exactly in my budget-pension only goes so far.
I've seen some talk about Lightroom (I think that's the name). How does that compare, and what's it cost?
I prefer as user friendly as possible. Later, if I get really into it, I would save up for PS.
Also, is there any good freeware out there?
I went back to college to learn more about digital... (show quote)


Google free photo editors and you will have access to many different levels of complexity. Choose wisely as they often come with unintended consequences.

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Feb 20, 2019 14:00:02   #
larduggan Loc: Burlington, VT
 
Affinity is a fairly powerful program at a reasonable cost.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/affinity-photo/9nblggh35lxn?activetab=pivot:overviewtab

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Feb 20, 2019 14:03:43   #
BebuLamar
 
I use Nikon DSLR and I use Photoshop CC. If I don't want to pay for PS then I would use the free Nikon software. It's good enough for me most of the time.

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Feb 20, 2019 14:10:18   #
mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey
 
gofast wrote:
I went back to college to learn more about digital so I can get better, and early on they're talking about post processing, etc. The only tools I currently have is what came with Win 10. I know a little about Photoshop. A little. Don't understand layers, what it means, how it works or how to. Yet.

I do know it is expensive software, like $500-600. Not exactly in my budget-pension only goes so far.
I've seen some talk about Lightroom (I think that's the name). How does that compare, and what's it cost?
I prefer as user friendly as possible. Later, if I get really into it, I would save up for PS.
Also, is there any good freeware out there?
I went back to college to learn more about digital... (show quote)

The pricing you're talking about is old. Lightroom and Photoshop are now only available bundled together by subscription which costs $10 a month. While there is minimalist software available in Windows there is also some basic third party choices which are relatively easy to learn. However, they mostly have limited ability to edit images along with poorly modifiable special effects and lack a lot of real PP features.

There are many other packages available that, in varying degrees, can compete with the best software at various price points. Check out Adobe Photoshop Elements, ON1, Luminar, Affinity Photo, Capture One Pro 12 and DXO Photolab. They all require a learning curve, some more significant than others. Depending on your camera, you may also have free basic editing software from the manufacturer.

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Feb 20, 2019 14:20:31   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
Scroll about halfway down the page linked below for some of the free editors:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-156310-1.html

On my Chromebook I use befunky.com - an online app. For $35/year there are a very large number of tools (and fun stuff), and no ads.

If you look at any of my UHH photos, please note that the majority are done on a Windows laptop with PS Elements, Nik Collection and Topaz Simplify. Elements is about $100 and would keep you busy learning for years to come

If you haven't had a chance to visit all of UHH's specialty forums, click on "all sections" at bottom of this page. Then come visit us in Post Processing! https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-116-1.html

.

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Feb 20, 2019 14:28:16   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
I have Elements 14, Photo Impact Pro, and the editing software that came with the camera. They work for me and are not expensive.

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Feb 20, 2019 14:56:14   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
gofast wrote:
I went back to college to learn more about digital so I can get better, and early on they're talking about post processing, etc. The only tools I currently have is what came with Win 10. I know a little about Photoshop. A little. Don't understand layers, what it means, how it works or how to. Yet.

I do know it is expensive software, like $500-600. Not exactly in my budget-pension only goes so far.
I've seen some talk about Lightroom (I think that's the name). How does that compare, and what's it cost?
I prefer as user friendly as possible. Later, if I get really into it, I would save up for PS.
Also, is there any good freeware out there?
I went back to college to learn more about digital... (show quote)


The best value (price/performance) software out there is the PS/LR CC bundle. It is a complete editing/image management solution. There are other things that are cheap or free, but support is often limited, and capabilities uneven. At $120 a year, even very popular programs like On1, which sells initially for $100 - if you wan to stay current, will cost you an additional $80/yr for updates. With PS/CC you pay a little more every year, but you get more than you get with On1. Little by little, On1 is closing the feature gap, and I do like it's presets and filters for photo editing - but I also do image restoration, graphics and other things with PS that just can't be done with just On1.

Lightroom does image management with a catalog, raw editing and conversion, geotagging, publishing, and it has a printing module. It has an API and many third party developers have written excellent plugins to extend the capabilities of LR. PHotoshop is a full blown image editing/image browsing/raw conversion/printing solution. If it can be done to an image, you can count on being able to do it in Photoshop. Together they are pretty much an industry standard.

I strongly suggest you consider the bundle, especially over PSE, which is a crippled version and not upgradeable.

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Feb 20, 2019 14:59:04   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
Gene51 wrote:
...I strongly suggest you consider the bundle, especially over PSE, which is a crippled version and not upgradeable.
Crippled?? 🙄

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Feb 20, 2019 15:56:37   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
Gene51 wrote:
The best value (price/performance) software out there is the PS/LR CC bundle. It is a complete editing/image management solution. There are other things that are cheap or free, but support is often limited, and capabilities uneven. At $120 a year, even very popular programs like On1, which sells initially for $100 - if you wan to stay current, will cost you an additional $80/yr for updates. With PS/CC you pay a little more every year, but you get more than you get with On1. Little by little, On1 is closing the feature gap, and I do like it's presets and filters for photo editing - but I also do image restoration, graphics and other things with PS that just can't be done with just On1.

Lightroom does image management with a catalog, raw editing and conversion, geotagging, publishing, and it has a printing module. It has an API and many third party developers have written excellent plugins to extend the capabilities of LR. PHotoshop is a full blown image editing/image browsing/raw conversion/printing solution. If it can be done to an image, you can count on being able to do it in Photoshop. Together they are pretty much an industry standard.

I strongly suggest you consider the bundle, especially over PSE, which is a crippled version and not upgradeable.
The best value (price/performance) software out th... (show quote)


This is the answer for me as well. Even on a limited budget there are far less useful things that cost me a lot more than ten bucks a month. And the constant updates and improvements ensure you'll only have the latest versions. The bundle includes both Photoshop and Lightroom, as well as a cloud version that allows you to work on photos right on your phone or tablet, if that's your thing.

Don't worry about layers or other more complicated things. Learn the basics from one of the many written or video tutorials.

Andy

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Feb 20, 2019 15:58:50   #
AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
 
Linda From Maine wrote:
Crippled?? 🙄


I think that in software terms, this means a version from which features have been deliberately removed so not as to infringe upon the sales of the higher price project. It's a common marketing technique.

And yes, PSE is basically PS software, crippled by removal of features. You can still do a lot with it, of course, it doesn't mean lousy, unusable, or low performance. It just means that although the software is basically the same, certain features have been removed.

Andy

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Feb 20, 2019 16:10:31   #
Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal
 
I's say, try the trials. LR and PS weren't as right for me as Elements is.
It costs nada to use for @ 30 days. Most of the apps above do this.
Then again, you've got about 4 hours left: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Adobe-Photoshop-Elements-15-RETAIL-Windows-MAC-OS-Photo-Editing-Software/303068707290?epid=2068900193&hash=item46904d79da:g:Ku4AAOSwQFhcbKao:rk:8:pf:0
I haven't tried it, but I've heard good things about Rawtherapee. There also used to be "Gimpshop" that was kinda popular.
But still try the trials. Sometimes more is better. I like On1 and Elements.

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Feb 20, 2019 16:16:36   #
G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK
 
The Gimp Photo is a free program and now looks and works like PSE. (It has recently upgraded) Look at PSE Tutorials and then work out the different tool names in The Gimp.
Raw Therapee or Ufraw will open your camera raw files and are a plug in for Gimp.

Check out other free programs - there are a lot out there responding to the cell phone camera users. Some have different 'add ons' than the 'established' programs do not - cartoons etc.

Faststone and Inkscape are quite large programs than some of the free ones but people here use them.

Lightroom is primarily an image database which has many search options. It needs either PSE or PS to fulfill its Post processing capabilities. (hence the 'dual deal' on subscription)

If you are new to PP I suggest that you look at tutorials online. Google + Keywords will throw up hundreds of sites....browse a few till you find a couple or three that 'suit you'. Different sites appeal to different people. (Different content also) Add your choice to a bookmark for easier return. Also look out for PSE books in thrift stores....every update brought out a new book BUT the basics stayed the same.....They will give you a great starting point (or more).

The image file can usually be post processed in many programs.....they are not specific to a single program....So you could 'borrow' a colleagues pc to work on an image. !! it may give you a 'breather' before you commit.

No matter how brilliant your camera work is....you will need to process the image in a program.....It isn't cheating nor is it making an image 'unreal'. Consider it like a 'Darkroom' a process that is necessary to get an end product.

Have fun and 'keep it fun'! Photography is about YOU and what YOU want to explore. There might be 'better' but there isn't a wrong!

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