Advice on software to tweak your pics

[cookey]

Hi,

after joining this site I am in awe of so many great pictures that are here.

I am looking at ways of making my pics just that bit better & looking to go RAW but what wondering what software other members use to enhance their pictures.

I have photoshop elements 3 & find it pretty basic when I see before & after shots from CS3,lighthouse,paintshop pro etc.

Can members please point me in the right direction for great software that is user friendly & help in further enhancing my pictures?

[airfrogusmc]

Get and learn Photoshop CS3. But always start with a good image thats been exposed properly.

[PhotosGuy]

PSE3 will do most of what you need, but with RAW, you might want to upgrade it to the newer v. of Elements. I'm still using PS7 with my RAW processor & can do everything I need with them.
One of my favorite tools in PS: Layer mask. See post #9; PS Elements in Post # 14
A question about sky (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=338140)

[Riff Raff]

looking to go RAW but what wondering what software other members use to enhance their pictures

Adobe Lightroom is essentially all I use now. I still have Photoshop, but barely touch it (for digital photos at least).

[davidcrebelxt]

For RAW, try Canon's own DPP.... more full featured than Elements implementation of ACR, and better default color conversion (IME). Especially since Elements ACR lacks camera calibration tab for setting a default conversion, I found it to be a real hassle. I didn't find DPP too difficult to grasp.

I used DPP for some time before finally going to LR myself for RAW, and as others have stated, now rarely go into Elements or other pixel-editor anymore.

[frankgindc]

Personnally, I can't spring for CS3 but I think the the new version of Elements ought to put you darn close -- if not spot on -- with image quality. I only have version 4 (Mac) but it looks to me like the biggest gap between Elements and full Photoshop CS/2/3 is in the workflow and batch processing abillites, not in image quality: available noise, sharpening and other plugins should be the same; same RAW converter, etc. There are a couple of nice tricks that people do on images that make them really pop (like local contrast enhancement) but those abilities are in Elements too -- and I think you definitely want a program that can handle multiple layers for the occassional shot that needs them (e.g., you want to "erase" something distracting in the background).

As for other inexpensive RAW converters, I think Bibble is very good. Excellent plugins.

I second the props for Lightroom as it can handle most of what I need to do BUT they havne't quite made the necessary sharpenign and noise reduction plugins available yet so I think even if you did spring for that, you would still want a second program (Elements would be good) to handle more indepth stuff.

Frank

[toneyw]

I use LR about 99% of the time and when needed, I use PSE5.

[gparvan]

What is your budget?

If $0 try The GIMP 2.4 r2
http://www.gimp-tutorials.com/index.php
Very powerful and mimics a lot of Photoshop.
try DPP from Canon
http://www.usa.canon.com/content/dpp2/index.html

If you have a $200 or $300 (Education discounts cut it half)
Adobe Lightroom will do most of everything you need.
What lightroom doesn't do, The GIMP will take all but the most complex off the wall change.

[Chinatown]

Have a look here: http://myphotosoft.com/raw-converters/
The major converters are there (except lightroom, styrangely). And you can have a clue on how this works.

[spectre]

Is the education edition of lightroom a Watered down version or is it the full program?

[davidcrebelxt]

Is the education edition of lightroom a Watered down version or is it the full program?

full program... discounted price... great deal if you qualify.

[Crypto]

I recommend Painshop Pro X2 and use the DPP that came with your camera.

[spectre]

I recommend Painshop Pro X2 and use the DPP that came with your camera.
I have been using all the programs and I use the RSE 2006 the most for the raw but that was because I did not want to get used to LightRoom trial and then have to use something else...but if I can get it for $99 then I am in like Flynn. I also already have Photoshop CS2.

DPP isn't bad

I have not gotten 100 used to any of them yet...still trying them out.


Crypto-- Wonderful shots on your sites btw...

[August 15 Photography]

I use Aperture in combination with CS3, but it sounds like you are using a PC ??

[spectre]

I use Aperture in combination with CS3, but it sounds like you are using a PC ??
Yeah, I am a PC guy... I'm too broke (or republian) to use a MAC ;)

MACs are wonderful tools but I also do flight-sims and the MAC is lacking in that area.