Recomendations For Photography Software

It depends on what you want to do with it. Simple cropping, etc., can be done with Photoshop (or Elements), GIMP or even Irfanview (free).

Then you can get more manipulation software such as Topaz, DAP, Nik, etc.

Interesting you should ask, Debra, as I was just thinking the same thing. I've been using Apple Aperture for years but now it's discontinued. I never liked PhotoShop and I'm not a fan of Adobe. My Pentax came with a version of SilkyPix and with it I can get a discount if I upgrade to the full version. Your camera Brand might have the same offer. Once you get past the learning curve, as with any editing software, I've found SilkyPix to have wonderful color and features that I'm looking for ( that Aperture doesn't have ).

http://www.isl.co.jp/SILKYPIX/english/

Photoshop Elements is relatively inexpensive and does everything I need it to do.

Adobe Lightroom does everything you need to make adjustments to photographs except if you want to do composites. Organize, develop, reduce noise, straighten, crop etc.

Hi Debra, welcome to FAA. I am using Photoshop CS6. I downloaded it from a site called Buy Tech Solutions. I bought the Extended version for teachers and students as Louise Reeves (above) suggested to me a few months ago. I got it for $300, but it's just a download and there is no hard disk available from them or anyone else anywhere except Adobe. Buy Tech helped me download it because when I tried... it wouldn't work. Also they are very hard to get a hold of even with the phone number they provide. I previously tried to buy it from Adobe and had big problems getting them to download it for me. After a week I canceled my order from Adobe and after 2 months they finally refunded my money. They no longer have a phone number that will let you talk to a real person. You have to do everything online and are directed to a community forum for problems. I would not have Photoshop except that it does everything I want it to do and there are plenty of tutorials out there if I need them. If this one ever crashes I will probably go back to Gimp. In fact I still use it for some things that I can't figure out in PS.

If you are familiar with PS then Gimp will be easy for you and it's free. There are also a lot of tutorials for Gimp. Make sure you download it from their site as others could have malware. And BTW the download is simple.

This one is for windows
http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

This is the home page: http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

I wish there was some other software comparable to PSCS6 because it is too expensive not to have some sort of technical support. I hate to pay for a subscription although there are probably reasons people do it. Hopefully someone will give you some input about why they use Creative Cloud and how it's working out for them.

For mostly photo editing, Lightroom. For mostly photo plus a little extra, Topaz (full suite or individual products). Download free trial versions of a few to try out. Elements is also an option.

my photos usually end up in magazines therefore I need pro tools

I try to take them as perfect as possible for the least post processing

if they have to adjust things slightly I use photoshop and if I shoot raw I use lightroom and photoshop

there is a rather inexpensive app called Camerabag 2 and it lets you do a lot of stuff for a really small price - give up lunch and buy it if you are on a limited budget

I use Adobe Creative Cloud for $9.95 per month. It includes current Lightroom and Photoshop versions, plus a lot more.

The $9.99 monthly subscription plan from Adobe gives you Photoshop and Lightroom (I believe). Those are professional tools and have a learning curve. If you are planing to do this full time It's a good investment.

If you are on a MAC I would also suggest to have a look at Pixelmator. It's similar to Photoshop but costs just $29.99 (one time fee)
http://www.pixelmator.com/

Here are some more choices: http://www.creativebloq.com/photoshop/alternatives-1131641

I personally would recommend Adobe Software.

If money isn't a consideration, that jump into Photoshop CC... otherwise get your self Photoshop Elements. If you are very prolific in regards to creating numerous images, than look into Lightroom.

bob

i'm starting to really like software from MacPhun (intensify and tonality), not quite as easy as LR but more powerful -(Mac only though)

Personally I like Paintshop pro for editing, not suitable for RAW processing, but I find it easier to use than Photoshop, possibly because I've been using it since V7.

I love my Photoshop Elements 8. For as much as I use editing software, (like for every single thing I do) you would think I would upgrade to a full service Photoshop, or at least a newer version of elements. But I am so happy with my old cheap software that I am going to keep using it.
If I were you, I would go with the newest Photoshop Elements.
Les

I mostly use Photoshop but I also use Lightroom on occasion plus I have the Topaz Plugins installed for both. Once in a while I use a free program called Fotosketcher.

If you don't want to spend the money for Photoshop, I think Adobe's Photoshop Elements is an excellent and more economical choice.

I use Lightroom and Photoshop. I have used the two for so long, I couldn't see myself using other software.

And, I'll just c/p what Lynn said..
If you don't want to spend the money I think Adobe's Photoshop Elements is an excellent choice.

I see no one saying anything about OnOne software. I have it as well as Lightroom. There are things I do with Lightroom and things I do with OnOne. I am still learning both. My only complaint with OnOne is it seems to be a resource hog. There are online tutorials as with Lightroom and there is a free version I found from the dpreview website link here.

http://www.ononesoftware.com/landing/pe8offer You have to give them your email and will be get emails but free... don't use the the link for 30 day free trial or buy now use the link in the text "Or, download Perfect Effects 8 Free Edition - it's" in blue.

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/9110759363/onone-software-s-perfect-effects-8-available-for-free

This is the link to the discussion on DPREVIEW.com regarding the software and where I got the link to download free.

I have OnOne too, but it's not my go too for general editing but have used the clone tool since lightroom, topaz and elements do not have that. So far I've avoided the biggie Photoshop, but if I add up all the other programs I do have, probably could've just gotten Photoshop!

Debra -- something to look for if you're considering some of the free software out there like Aviary and Picmonkey, I'm learning in online discussions that many of them downsize your images when you save them unless you pay for their premium features.

Also, don't forget about the power of the processor in your digital camera. You'd have to do more of the work when you look through the camera viewfinder, but more and more photographers are doing this. Here is a dated article but you'll get the idea:

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2012/03/ken-tanaka-shooting-jpeg-instead-of-raw.html

Flickr says the number one camera uploads are from an iPhone. That website has a boat load of members as FAA. We all know most of those images are processed in-camera. It is the direction photography is going I think.

I use PhotoMatix pro for my HDR photos. Love it.

Hi Debra and welcome.
As you can see everyone has their own favourite that they use.I use Lightroom for organising and doing most of my editing and have Photoshop for anything that LR cannot handle.
You need to think of what you need ie.basic photo editing or more advanced editing.Then think about what you can afford and then download the free trials that most of them have.

One other thing to consider.. if you are just starting out.. investing a lot of time learning photo editing software is... well an investment ;O) some of the programs mentioned may or may not be around next year or updated very infrequently. Also if you are thinking of getting a job that requires photo editing they will all be looking for Adobe.

You will also find a ton of tutorials and forums with help with photoshop / lightroom.. not so much with for the others... Maybe GIMP.. you might look into that.

bob

Debra,

As many have mentioned, you can start with Photoshop Elements 12, around $70 or less, or Gimp for free and see if either of these limits what you want to do. PSE12 has almost everthing that the larger and more expensive CS6 has. and now with this new "plugin" software available, no real reason to pay for the monthly CC or even buy the full CS6.

http://www.rangefinderonline.com/gear/software/Software-Review-Ele-8086.shtml

Good Luck!

Rich

Debra,

This info was SOOOO good, I posted it again!

As many have mentioned, you can start with Photoshop Elements 12, around $70 or less, or Gimp for free and see if either of these limits what you want to do. PSE12 has almost everthing that the larger and more expensive CS6 has. and now with this new "plugin" software available, no real reason to pay for the monthly CC or even buy the full CS6.

http://www.rangefinderonline.com/gear/software/Software-Review-Ele-8086.shtml

Good Luck!

Rich

I have been using Lightroom and photoshop for a couple years now. I had the choice of aperature or Lightroom and am glad I chose the latter. I like Lightroom cause you can grow with it. Pretty simple to get started once you get past the catalogue settings etc. there are things I still don't know about but it is pretty easy to start. The best option is the $9.95 per month for Lightroom and photoshop. I like to keep things simple also.

You can try adobe cc productcs for 30 days for free. So try it and decide. Also you can compare it with some others programs, Zoner photo studio is pretty good too. http://www.zoner.com/