Where to start with software?

Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Well, how "into" this whole photography thing are you? While I'm definitely an Adobe Photoshop guy, I think most digital photographers are best served by Adobe Lightroom. I think it offers the best bang for your buck these days but that's just my opinion.

All the big players allow you to download free, fully functional, 30-day trial-versions of their software and I'd encourage you take advantage of those. Corel makes Paint Shop Pro while ACDSee puts out ACDSee Pro and Photo Manager 6; both of which are pretty nice applications.
 
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Sevenup

Senior Member
Thanks HS Fish, I'll DL a trial. Are the programs expandable or do you have to do complete program upgrades?

I have played around on a retail level of Adobe PS probably 7-8 years ago, I don't really remember anything about it. I didn't move much beyond an MS paint level in playing around with it. :p
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
Just curious, but are these adobe photo programs bought outright? Or do you have to sorta rent them, by paying a regular service fee?
 
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FastGlass

Senior Member
I use lightroom 4 and Elements 10. I like using Lightroom better as the organization aspect of it is far superior than that of Elements. Also you should consider that ALL the changes you make in lightroom are nondestructive. You never loose the original file. If you get the plugins, well I don't see the need for anything else.
 
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Sevenup

Senior Member
Bill16 said:
Just curious, but are these adobe photo programs bought outright? Or do you have to sorta rent them, by paying a regular service fee?
Click to expand...

I am not sure if I understand it correctly but from what I gather Adobe programs are bought outright. Students and other categories may rent them on a per month basis though.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Bill16 said:
Just curious, but are these adobe photo programs bought outright? Or do you have to sorta rent them, by paying a regular service fee?
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure you can still find retail boxed versions of Adobe software, at least for now. Adobe HAS moved to it's Creative Cloud distribution model, however, and yes that means you pay monthly. I know Creative Cloud is a bone of contention for many and understandably so.

Still, if anyone has questions about Abobe Creative Cloud, how it works or whatever else, I'd be happy to explain as best I can.

Adobe Creative Cloud


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Sevenup

Senior Member
I see our family qualifies for the student/teacher pricing on Adobe :) That is great!

Is anyone aware of a table that lays out the differences/upgrades of the different versions in Adobe (Elements vs. Lightroom, LR 3, LR4, LR5)?
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
Thank you very much my friend! :D
Horoscope Fish said:
I'm pretty sure you can still find retail boxed versions of Adobe software, at least for now. Adobe HAS moved to it's Creative Cloud distribution model, however, and yes that means you pay monthly. I know Creative Cloud is a bone of contention for many and understandably so.

Still, if anyone has questions about Abobe Creative Cloud, how it works or whatever else, I'd be happy to explain as best I can.

Adobe Creative Cloud


.....
Click to expand...
 
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john*thomas

Senior Member
I'm going to suggest something different for someone just starting out. For those who do this for a living or already very good with the software no this isn't for them but......

LunaPic | Free Online Photo Editor

​I have Elements and if I want things just a wee bit nicer I use it but the free website above will do some things even better. Their overlay feature is extremely easy to use. I have no idea why I have to go through so many steps in Elements but can do it for free at a website in about 3 steps. Upload-upload-adjust-done.
 
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Jonathan

Senior Member
My main software on my Mac is Aperture. I also have Snapseed for quick impact effects. I am experimenting with Zerenestacker for stacking photos. Gemini is a must to weed out any duplicates (photos or otherwise). All are Mac programs that may have Windoze versions.
 
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Mike D90

Senior Member
Start with free software and see if it fits your needs.

Decide if you need basic editing or more advanced editing.

My recommendations is to start with one or more of these that are free programs:

- Irfanview (basic editing)

- Nikon ViewNX 2 (a little more than basic and handles NEF files)

- LightZone (way more than basic and handles NEF)

- Trial versions of Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom


If you find you need more than the basics or more than a free program can handle then I suggest:

- Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom 5
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
I always suggest that people start with ViewNX2. It is free, it is easy to use and many times it will do all you ever want to so anyway. It is also a good starting place to learn the basics and then you will have a better idea of what you want to do with paid software.
 
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Krs_2007

Senior Member
Pixemator on Mac is good, I used aperture but switched to Lightroom 5. If you really want spend time learning something like photoshop, you can always get Gimp. Elements is good as well, but Lightroom with plugins with pixelmator work for me.
 
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