Just bought my first camera, editing advice please

[FeatherZ]

Just bought a sony alpha 200, iv never used photoshop or any other editing tools ever, im a complete novice, although handy with a computer...

I have a mac laptop at the minute so need an editing tool that is compatible with a link if possible,

Thanks.

[Snapper7]

The full version of photoshop is rather expensive (About £ 500-600) and you will never really use most of it. I use Photoshop all the time for Pro work.

I would suggest one of the following:

A) Photoshop Elements (I have not used it myself)
B) Adobe Lightroom (I have used this for my website galleries, not for any pro imaging but it does have some nice simple touches)
C) Apple's Apureture (I have not used it myself)

All of the above work on a Mac

Hope that helps

[Simpo Two]

I'd vote for PS Elements as well. It will probably do everything you need at a fraction of the cost of the full version, and most tutorials are geared for it. A DLSR without PS is like an SLR without a developing tank.

[FeatherZ]

Is PS elements a pay for program or pay for download? can i buy it in shops?

[Kermit power]

FeatherZ said:

Is PS elements a pay for program or pay for download? can i buy it in shops?

You can take your pick. Either download it from the Adobe website, or order it for delivery on CD.

[Snapper7]

PSE can be downloaded from the Adobe UK website, I always like to have a boxed copy personally. Your Mac dealers should stock / be able to get it in for you. Or you can buy it on line from Adobe UK

Hope that helps

[FeatherZ]

Thanks peeps.

[beano500]

Just reading a mag while on the Tube today. I notice that they rated the free Google Picasa 3 quite highly and that's available for OSX10.4 as well - perhaps that'd be one to try first?

[VxDuncan]

Possibly, yes. Think it's worth starting with the software that came with the camera, if any. But far and away the Photoshop family are the way to go if you want to learn. Anything else and you'll suffer from not understanding what the rest of us are going on about.

Also worth thinking about your workflow - that is the sequence of events when editing an image (quite important). This is my typical workflow, assuming a jpeg file (ignoring RAW for the moment!):

- Load file
- Convert to 16 bit (if available)
- Noise reduction (personally have in-camera NR turned off and use Noise Ninja)
- Levels / curves / colour correction

THEN
- Any corrections (dust removal, red eye, distortion, fringing etc)
- Resize to final size (if printed or web)
- Sharpen for target size

Keep everything to a minimum and shy away from those tacky filters!

[mikee boy]

GIMP does most of what you need and it's FREE!!!

[CVP]

I tried Aperture when I converted to Mac. Some bits of it are very clever and it has a nice integrated workflow, non destructive editing and cooperates well with other Mac specifc products such as iWeb. However...

1) It crapped out on a number of 16 bit images giving me the "red screen" and just not recognising the file at all. No such problems in PS. Apple does nto currently seem to have an answer or timeline to fix this

2) No layers. Most tools can be done on one layer but some would be really need to be a layers approach so it falls short there

3) Upsizing - can't seem to find a way of doing that

4) Exporting images to web etc is very good

In a way it's a bit like the iphone with lots of plug-ins written by third parties to supplement the basic product. This makes it cheaper than PS out of the box but when you add in thigns like Genuine Fractals and another one or two, it does increase the cost quite a lot.

I do like it but I honestly think it's not ready yet to be the only thing you use but don't think that day will be far off. I've tested it and then deleted it after the trail period and gone back to PS

Chris

[VxDuncan]

CVP said:

I tried Aperture when I converted to Mac. Some bits of it are very clever and it has a nice integrated workflow, non destructive editing and cooperates well with other Mac specifc products such as iWeb. However...

1) It crapped out on a number of 16 bit images giving me the "red screen" and just not recognising the file at all. No such problems in PS. Apple does nto currently seem to have an answer or timeline to fix this

2) No layers. Most tools can be done on one layer but some would be really need to be a layers approach so it falls short there

3) Upsizing - can't seem to find a way of doing that

4) Exporting images to web etc is very good

In a way it's a bit like the iphone with lots of plug-ins written by third parties to supplement the basic product. This makes it cheaper than PS out of the box but when you add in thigns like Genuine Fractals and another one or two, it does increase the cost quite a lot.

I do like it but I honestly think it's not ready yet to be the only thing you use but don't think that day will be far off. I've tested it and then deleted it after the trail period and gone back to PS

Chris

No layers? Really? That's a major fault. Might as well pick up a cheap copy of Paint shop pro. Will do most of the things PS will do, just with an annoying, non-standard interface!

[Tycho]

I just bought Elements 7 and have to say that it is great. The organiser is brilliant and allows you to search for face and easily tag them. Even Windows reads the tags so you have so much control when searching for specific photos.

The editing part is really straight forward and is great to use. Haven't regretted buying it so far.

[Funk Odyssey]

mikee boy said:

GIMP does most of what you need and it's FREE!!!

totally agree

GIMP is well worth downloading