Post processing for beginners ?

[Gulliver911]

Looking at a lot of car photography here, some amazing effects are
obtained after the shoot by fiddling with contrast, color balance, etc...

It is evident particularly for car photography.

In fact, it looks to me taking the shot is only half the battle, 50% of it
is then the enhancements afterwards.

Where did you guys learn ?

Is there a simple book, or web site you would recommand to learn the basics
of altering your raw images ?

I have Arcsoft Photostudio, as well as Paint Shop Pro 7.

Thanks,

JL

[GetCarter]

I wouldn't know, I never touch them

90% of us in here use Photoshop .. but PSP is pretty damned good.

PS has loads of website help, tutorials, and after that, we just rip each others ideas off!

Although I don't really do cars, my tip: just mess about and when you want to do something, find out... one step at a time.

Really good pics are always taken in the camera. If you're into auto pics - www.mattwatkinson.com does most of his trickery before it hits the 'puter - well so he says!

>> Edited by GetCarter on Friday 31st March 19:31

[Bee_Jay]

The Generally accepted bibles are:

Photoshop CS2 for Digital Photographers (Scott Kelby) - great 'how-to' with loads of easy step-by-step examples, great for dipping in and out of and looking up how to do something - my 'go-to' book when I get stuck
Photoshop CS2 for Photographers (Martin Evening) - THE bible, however bit of a start-to finish read and very detailed.
How To Cheat in Photoshop (Steve Caplin) - More of an illustrator, but some really cool stuff in here for photographers and very simple.

I have listed them in my order of preference.


>> Edited by Bee_Jay on Saturday 1st April 18:45