Some post processing n00b questions.

[Boosting1Bar]

I'm really loving this forum, I've learned all kinds of new stuff already!! As for my questions, I've been shooting everything in RAW and then converting to tiff in BreezeBrowser. I find that when I open the 16bit tiffs I don't have many options for editing in pshop7. Should I be converting them to the 8bit versions or jpgs instead? I realize there will be loss in converting them to jpgs.

I've been fooling around with the demo of NeatImage today and really like it so far, it seems to do a great job at what I want to do. Before I pay for it however, I wonder if I will outgrow its usefulness as I become more advanced? Is there some other product you guys recommend in its place? I don't want to keep learning new software, I'd like to just start out with stuff that is going to last me until significant updates are made.

I've also heard that Adobe used to sell a plugin for pshop7 that allowed manipulation of .CRW files, but have stopped selling it since CS has that functionality built in. Is BreezeBrowser the best utility to do this or should I consider the upgrade to CS for that? I don't come anywhere near using the full capabilities of 7 as is.

Lastly...are there any other must have pieces of software or plugins that you folks use regularly?

Thanks for any light you can shed on any of these topics. Sorry for so many questions all at once, but I figure that's better than cluttering up the board with a bunch of random posts. I have a section on my site with a few of the shots I've taken, feel free to check them out and critique them if you've got time to waste!

[w10d]

I've been shooting everything in RAW and then converting to tiff in BreezeBrowser. I find that when I open the 16bit tiffs I don't have many options for editing in pshop7.

PS7's 16 bit abilities were very limited, you could open your 16 bit images, do all Levels/Curves adjustments you expect to need and convert to 8 bit for everything else. Don't be afraid of 8 bit, it's only likely to show a significant disadvantage if you are making large edits to the values.

I don't want to keep learning new software, I'd like to just start out with stuff that is going to last me until significant updates are made.


First learn Photoshop inside out, back to front and upside down - it'll always come in handy :)

I've also heard that Adobe used to sell a plugin for pshop7 that allowed manipulation of .CRW files, but have stopped selling it since CS has that functionality built in. Is BreezeBrowser the best utility to do this or should I consider the upgrade to CS for that? I don't come anywhere near using the full capabilities of 7 as is.

Lastly...are there any other must have pieces of software or plugins that you folks use regularly?


As I already said, spend your time and money on PS, it's amazing value compared to the price of most plug-ins. Yes, CS has the (improved) RAW file converter, and lots of other enhancements for a digital workflow (including a lot more 16 bit capabilities, if you really want it).

Personally I'm very happy with the upgrade, but of course not everyone is!