 Rett Dean |
Image-Editing Software Suggestions I am still new to this and have done very little photo processing, but I am now looking to purchase software to enhance my photos. I am currently using the Mac and have considered the Aperture software. But I have also been reading a lot on Adobe and Photomatix. Could anyone offer a bit of guidance on what would be best?
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Frank E. Trinkle |
Hi Rett, If you are still "new to this", I would strongly recommend AGAINST Aperture or Photomatix, as they really do require a significant amount of knowledge in order to use them effectively. Being that you are on a Mac, I would recommend that you learn iPhoto first very well. It has a tremendous number of features for a program that is included with the computer. (Are you using Snow Leopard yet? If not, you should if you have an Intel-based Mac). The next recommendation is Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac (about $99), which is a new edition and has a TON of features, but is easy to use as a basic tool and expand later. It will also give you a basis from which to eventually move to the full Photoshop CS4 if you need to at some point. PS Elements also comes with Adobe Bridge, which you can use to process Raw images, though not as nicely as Adobe's Lightroom or Aperture 3. Photomatix is a dedicated program for High Dynamic Range (HDR) work. It is NOT for general use as a tool to enhance regular or everyday photos. It requires that you take a number of shots of the same scene with different exposures and then blends those pictures for dynamic ranging. It is primarily used for Raw or TIFF images, though it will sort of work on JPEGS, but not well. Hydra is another HDR program specifically for Macs, though not as powerful as Photmatix. So, I would recommend iPhoto first, then Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 next, then perhaps Aperture 3, Lightroom, and/or Photoshop CS4 when you're ready. Cheers!
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Rett Dean |
Frank Thank you so much for the reply. This was very helpful. I am using snow leopard and I am currently using iphoto. I wil have to really dig in deeper to the different ways I can make the most of iphoto tillI am ready to move up to one of your other suggestions. Thanks again.
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
Hi Rett, I 2nd Frank's recommendations completely. I think Elements 8 would be a wise investment as you will most likely move on to Photoshop or Lightroom since they are the 2 of the heavyweights for image editing. Elements gives you most of the tools you will ever need - for less than $100, its worth every penny. Other options are programs I haven't used but GIMP is a free software & Corels Paint Shop Pro also receives high marks. I use Corel Painter X and its interface is very similar to Photoshop but it is designed for turning photos into paintings. Frank, When I switched to MAC a couple of years ago, I was troubled with iPhoto as it kept wanting to automatically control everything, so I disabled it. I use CS3/Bridge and manage/organize my images the way I want. What are the advantages of using iPhoto ? I am curious if it has advantages I am not taking advantage of :) Cheers,
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
I jusr came across this article regarding GIMP - http://www.lightstalking.com/10-reasons-gimp-is-better-than-photoshop
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
I just came across this article regarding GIMP - http://www.lightstalking.com/10-reasons-gimp-is-better-than-photoshop
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Ellen Anon |
Since you are a Mac user, I STRONGLY suggest you give Aperture 3 a try. It's very easy to use and Apple provides a lot of free tutorials to get you started. Most things are designed in a very intuitive way and it's far more efficient than any of the Adobe products to use (and I write books and training materials for PS, Elements, and Aperture!) There are a lot of misconceptions out there about Aperture, mostly due to comments from people who've never tried it.
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Frank E. Trinkle |
To Carlton: iPhoto received a pretty substantial upgrade with Snow Leopard and has significant improvements over previous iterations. It is certainly a stepping stone to Aperture and lays a pretty good foundation for the casual user to learn editing and image management before stepping up to the pro-level programs. Like Elements 8 is a stepping stone to LR and PS CS4, iPhoto is the jump off point for Aperture. (I use both Apple and Adobe as well as DXO Pro) Note: I have been playing around with Pixelmator which I bought on sale during a Macupdate.com special. Pretty amazing features and functionality for such a low price!! Easy learning curve as well.(Mac only) I also tried GIMP some time ago (open source), but found it severely lacking and very very unpolished. TO ELLEN: The OP stated that she is "NEW" to photo processing, and beginning with Aperture 3 would probably be a very frustrating endeavor. Starting with iPhoto and other consumer-level photo imaging programs would provide a much better educational experience from which to graduate to the pro-level programs like Aperture. Just my $.02.
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- Kenneth De Pree Contact Kenneth De Pree Kenneth De Pree's Gallery |
Rett, I have 2 related recommendations: 1. Get Photoshop Elements 8. Amazon is a good place to buy it because they sell for a discounted price. 2. Go to http://www.lvsonline.com/ and sign up for the basic course in Photoshop Elements 8. The course description for the first course in the 2 course series is here: If this is your first course, it will cost you $30 for the 6 week course. After the first course, the cost is $24. I took Basic 1 and 2 for Photoshop Elements 7 in 2009 and was very surprised at the quality of the course for such a reasonable price. I can't say enough good things about the course and the materials you work with.
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Dianna Murphy |
you've gotten some great advise above. Here's my thoughts. I use Aperture, its doesn't have near the capabilities as PS. BUT... it (like lightroom) is great for archiving your images and keeping track of them. It integrates perfectly with PS including Elements. I store my images in Aperture and do basic image correction there. Within Aperture I can click on an image and open it in Photoshop which is where I do most of my image enhancement/Digital Darkroom/correction. I started with Elements, used it for two years and then advanced to Photoshop and that would be my recommendation to anyone. Elements is like a mini version on PS and was made specifically for photographers where PS was intended for Graphic Designers too. It's got a HUGE learning curve. Even thing you learn in Elements you can apply in PS. It's just much easier to learn. Hope that helps.
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Ellen Anon |
Just to clarify, Aperture 3 is extremely capable for adjusting your images. In addition to all the adjustments that were present in earlier versions, a Curves adjustment has been added as has chromatic aberration removal. But more importantly, you can now brush adjustments in and out of different areas of your image where you want to apply an effect. I use PS for creating composites, but I do ALL my image adjustments in Aperture or one of it's plug-ins. All of the adjustments you make in Aperture are always editable and you can leave the file as a raw files (or JPEG or TIFF or PSD) until you output it. BTW, Aperture will also organize, and play video clips from your camera and you can embed them in slideshows within Aperture. I use PS to create composites -whether panos, HDR, depth-of-field or content related or to do other creative work with filters.
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Frank E. Trinkle |
Ellen.... I am surprised that as a "teacher" who has made a number of instructional videos and written books... you are not LISTENING to what your potential students are telling you! Once again... the OP stated that he is "NEW TO ALL THIS!!!"... and you come back with a post that hits him in the face with references to functions like Curves, and Chromatic Aberration Removal. Brushes and Plug-ins. Panos, HDR, DOF etc... SHEESH! Do you really think that someone who is "NEW" to either photography, or image editing would have the slightest clue what you're talking about??? You probably just scared the hell out of him! I know that if I was just starting out, and got a recommendation like that, I'd probably give up before ever starting, thinking it would be beyond me. RETT: If you want an intro to Aperture 3 that is presented in a very friendly, basic and educational format, visit the link below and get the free video. I'd still stick with iPhoto and/or Photoshop Elements for now though and work your way up to the pro-level programs in the future, once you have a clearer understanding of functions, semantics, and processing... Cheers. www.screencastsonline.com/index_files/SCO0239-aperture3.php
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- Kenneth De Pree Contact Kenneth De Pree Kenneth De Pree's Gallery |
I agree with Frank. Start with the basics and Photoshop Elements is the program to get. And seriously consider the inexpensive courses I linked you to in my earlier post. It will greatly reduce your learning curve. You'll get to curves, levels, etc. in due time, now is not the time Start with the automatic adjustments on Photoshop Elements and advance from there as you are ready.
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