Which software?

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NikonSimon

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Simon
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Firstly, apologies if this is in the wrong thread. I didn't know whether to put it in here or the the 'Post Processing..' thread

I currently have a D40x, and just use Picassa to make fairly basic adjustments, like straightening and cropping and B&W etc etc.

Next week I'm getting a D300s, and in the next few weeks the sale of our flat and purchase of our house will go through. When this happens I want to get a PC, as at the moment we've just got a laptop as there isn't room for a PC.

With this PC I'll get a nice big screen to view pics from my lovely D300s properly, and want to get some 'proper' software (but after the D300s purchase, the budget will be limited).

I always thought that Photoshop was all any Togger cared about, but since joining these boards I've seen people talk about Lightroom, Capture NX, etc etc. I was thinking of going down the Elements 8 route as I'm on a budget, but would like to know what these other packages are like, and if they're better than PS Elements? What do most people on here use? I'd like to learn to do a good standard of PP but also not spend much money! Possible?

Just to clarify, I'm getting my D300s used from someone on here, so it won't come with Capture NX.

Cheers
Simon
 
Lightroom does 95% of what you need to do to pictures and in a fraction of the time compared to photoshop- it's designed for photographers.
 
Lightroom isn't cheap if you buy full retail, but you can get academic licenses quite cheaply if you qualify.

If you do want Lightroom, it might be worth holding off for a bit as a new version is out soon. You can download the beta and have a play for free: http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom3/
 
I used to use Picasa for any editing, it was ok but since getting Lightroom I haven't regretted it for a second. It is easy to use and unlike Photoshop which I found really difficult when I tried to use it I am finding it is quick to edit images and the results I am getting are definitely better than when I was using Picassa.
 
Elements 8 will do 99% of what you'll need, and if on a mac comes with Bridge CS4 under £50

Want a fully functioning raw converter software then Capture One 5 for €99 is superb.

Both have downloadable 30 day trials, as does Aperture (mac only) and Lightroom
 
whiteflyer said:
Elements 8 will do 99% of what you'll need, and if on a mac comes with Bridge CS4 under £50

Want a fully functioning raw converter software then Capture One 5 for €99 is superb.

Both have downloadable 30 day trials, as does Aperture (mac only) and Lightroom
Click to expand...

I purchased Elements 8 for my Macbook as summarised by Mark above.

Seems a great piece of software for someone who doesn't want to go OTT on the PP. I'd recommend it for that price certainly.

That said there are cheaper / free alternatives. I think 'GIMP' was suggested on a different thread?
 
weiran said:
Lightroom isn't cheap if you buy full retail, but you can get academic licenses quite cheaply if you qualify.

If you do want Lightroom, it might be worth holding off for a bit as a new version is out soon. You can download the beta and have a play for free: http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom3/
Click to expand...

You should try lightroom mate and the beta version validity has been extended till 30 June 2010. You download the presets from internet and start applying one by one. you will like it.

Have fun..!
 
Simon, Some of us thrive on techy, others don't, it's potentially a great distraction in creating wonderful photographs.
My recommendation is keep it simple, Elements 8, it has a great organiser component (so long as you are on a PC not a Mac) an efficient raw converter and an extensive editing suite which unlike lightroom offers layers which you might at some point find useful. The only weakness is the printing window which is more restricted than Elements 6 which is still our fave at phototuition.

Elements will boost you way beyond Picassa, use it a whatever level you wish. Raw and layers are optional, taking great pictures isn't.

John www.phototuition.net
 
Paint.net, free download and I found it easier to use than the Gimp.

There are quite a few tutorials and some good plug ins.

You can use it to understand Levels, Curves, basic Layers etc and when/if you feel like getting something a bit better you will have a good idea what all those wierd terms mean.
 
phototuition said:
Simon, Some of us thrive on techy, others don't, it's potentially a great distraction in creating wonderful photographs.
My recommendation is keep it simple, Elements 8, it has a great organiser component (so long as you are on a PC not a Mac) an efficient raw converter and an extensive editing suite which unlike lightroom offers layers which you might at some point find useful. The only weakness is the printing window which is more restricted than Elements 6 which is still our fave at phototuition.

Elements will boost you way beyond Picassa, use it a whatever level you wish. Raw and layers are optional, taking great pictures isn't.

John www.phototuition.net
Click to expand...

Thanks very much for your helpful response.

So are you saying that you think Elements 6 is better than 8, or just for the printing window? And why is it better to have a PC over a Mac for the organising component? I'm weighing up whether to go PC or Mac when we move
 
Hi Simon, 8 has the advantage of a more recent version of the raw image converter ACR 5.5 pre-loaded (If you shoot raw). You can do a free if slightly tricky update to Elements 6 at the Adobe website. The printing window is much better on 6 enabling test strip and off centre printing.
I use pcs and Macs for training, the Mac verion of elements has no organiser instead it uses the not so versatile or user friendly pro software Adobe Bridge. Also Iphoto is incompatible with Photoshop elements so if you're going for Elements I'd stick to PC.
Others will tell you about the benefits of Mac. I'm biased towards pcs. I Love beautiful cameras like the GF-1 and Leica M3 but beautiful computers I can do without.

John www.phototuition.net
 
phototuition said:
Hi Simon, 8 has the advantage of a more recent version of the raw image converter ACR 5.5 pre-loaded (If you shoot raw). You can do a free if slightly tricky update to Elements 6 at the Adobe website. The printing window is much better on 6 enabling test strip and off centre printing.
I use pcs and Macs for training, the Mac verion of elements has no organiser instead it uses the not so versatile or user friendly pro software Adobe Bridge. Also Iphoto is incompatible with Photoshop elements so if you're going for Elements I'd stick to PC.
Others will tell you about the benefits of Mac. I'm biased towards pcs. I Love beautiful cameras like the GF-1 and Leica M3 but beautiful computers I can do without.

John www.phototuition.net
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot. Have sent you a PM
 
I noticed that people are mentioning elements 6 & 8 - whats wrong with the elements 7 or am I thinking of something completely different?
 
NikonSimon said:
I thought Picassa was pretty basic, or am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Picasa is basic, but does a lot of what most people need. Brightens, darkens, straightens, sharpens, and a whole bunch of effects. It has a very basic retouch function, and the red eye removal is quite good most of the time.

It reads RAW files, though doesn't give the control that a dedicated RAW editor may do and treats it just like another Jpeg, but it will at least let you see the file, rather than having to install plug ins. And any edits are non destructive.

It depends how mush editing you wish to do, how much you want to get into editing, and how much you want to spend. Obviously Picasa is free, which is the major thing going for it.

I show people how to use Picasa in 20-30 minutes, not something that can be done with any other editing program.


It may not be for everyone, especially those who are a bit more advanced, but unless you've tried it, don't dismiss it out of hand as not being good enough. ;)
 
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