Which processing software to use?

photog · 07-22-2009, 12:11 AM

imtheguy: Yes Elements is very inexpensive, but for a hubdred or 2 more you have Lightroom 2 (.4). This package does almost everything you can want to do and in maqny cases better that the full Photoshop CS$ package.
Ron McDermott

chicagonyc · 08-30-2009, 06:26 PM

I used to use Photoshop Elements for editing, but since I got my Pentax K100D and started shooting raw, I turned to Bibble which has some very nice RAW processing capabilities for a relatively low price.

Supa Lao · 09-01-2009, 06:26 AM

I prefer to use Lightroom. I used to do everything in Photoshop, but now I do everything in Lightroom. It takes some time getting used to it, but once you get the hang of it, it's just moving sliders. Plus there are free presets(actions) you can download off the net too.

brownargus · 09-01-2009, 07:38 AM

If you only want to do basic tweaking, e.g. sharpening, brightness/contrast, rotating, cropping, etc., in my view there is nothing to beat Faststone Image Viewer 3.9, especially so for a beginner. And what's more it is free for personal use from FastStone Image Viewer, Screen Capture, Photo Resizer .... It will handle Pentax RAW files as well as JPEGs and TIFFs and will do an awful lot more. Why not give it a try.

John

DennisH · 09-01-2009, 08:28 AM

Amazon Gold Box has Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 for $25.

Is this a good program for a beginner?

clmonk · 09-01-2009, 08:37 AM

DennisH
Yes. It is a very good program. And for that price you cannot go wrong. I prefer Photoshop Elements, but like I said, at that price...

ChooseAName · 09-01-2009, 10:58 AM

I use IrfanView for quick viewing of photos. You can download plugins to enable it the view raw images. If I'm going to be executing the same resize/rename command, I use IrfanView's batch processing. You can probably do this in other programs too, but IrfanView is simple and fast.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am an SLR and image editing n00b. IrfanView and GIMP + UFraw are the only programs I've used. I use GIMP because I can't justify spending more money on photographic equipment than I already have.

regor · 09-01-2009, 11:56 AM

Originally posted by vmax84

Should I start getting familiar with the software that came with my K100D, or is there something else I should look into?
...

Thanks a lot.

vmax84

Surprised that no one mentionned Silkypix yet. I've tried many graphic editing packages over the years and I keep coming back to Silkypix. The Adobe product are extremely powerful, and it comes with a high learning curve and it seems that no task is simple. Too many options IMO. My suggestion is that you download as many free trials as you need to in order to give a good run at some of the products out there. We're all different in our approach and each products are very different as well. You need to find the match that is right for you. For me, Silkypix is giving me a quick way and very effective way to process RAW images, others feel differently about it. So just download it and try it. You've got 30 days free trial available (Go for the Pro version if you do).

Roger

mecrox · 09-01-2009, 02:10 PM

I'm currently using the version 3 beta of ACDSee (free until 22 October). It seems to have two main things going for it: first, it is a good database come cataloguer for your image collection; and second, it is reasonably easy to obtain nice, high-quality jpegs from raw files with lighting adjusted and sharpening applied, etc (plus there's an uploader to Flickr embedded in the software). I can get the same results or better from Photoshop but it is more fiddly and takes a lot longer. However, ACDSee is for fairly straightforwards stuff only. If you want the full monty with layers, special effects and all the rest, then a proggie like Photoshop is the one (I've never used Elements or Lightroom, though either is tempting). I'll probably stick with ACDSee though, and eventually pay for the full version. It is a pretty foolproof way of dealing with 90 per cent or more of my pics.

Photoshop has good sharpening tools, imho, and even better if you import some actions and/or use the high pass filter as a separate layer. The soft light layer effect can help to make a picture look richer and deeper, and the black-and-white converter is excellent, with several filters to choose from. For a picture that you really want to work on, something that uses layers is pretty important I'd guess.

**manishved** · 09-08-2009, 08:48 AM

I tried the trial version of Photoshop CS4 and its very fast (but expensive). I will stick to GIMP and SilkyPix

R.Miller · 09-08-2009, 01:19 PM

There are many choices out there, some free and some not. I've used several and can recommned the following:

Free:
Paint.Net - Very easy to use and very capable. (my favorite of the free ones)
Picasa 3 - Also easy to use but not quite as capable as Paint.Net, but close.
Gimp - Very powerful with a steeper learning curve than the above two

Nominal cost:
Photoshop Elements 7 - Very powerful and not to difficult to learn at least the basics. Great RAW support (PEF and DNG). (I currently use this one).
Photo Impact - Now owned by Corel I think. I used it until Version 11. Not too pricey and also cramed full of features but not very hard to learn.

High End High Cost:
Have never used any so no opinion.

Hope this helps.

arbib · 09-08-2009, 01:40 PM

For Editing, Paint Shop Pro X2
For Raw, Raw Therapy.

The Pentax software is a bit odd, to Slikypix Software available separately.
I am still trying it out..but, I think it could done better. All those separate windows a pain on my Laptop 15.4 screen. I tried Acdsee Pro 3..I did like that program, but it was a resource hug on my laptop with large files over 12mp or so..So is PSP-X2 AFATG ! I use the 3* setting to free up memory during Post work. I do plan to upgrade from 2gig to 4gig of ram next month.

maconmatt · 09-08-2009, 02:01 PM

I'll throw another name into the arena. If you are a Mac user, i recommend Apple's own Aperture. I've use Photoshop for years and still use it quite a bit for certain things (I'm a graphic designer), but I love Aperture's database capabilities and its seamless workflow with RAW images.

Graham V · 09-08-2009, 02:33 PM

Another vote for Raw Therapee, better imo than the Pentax one and still free!

**Ex Finn.** · 09-08-2009, 03:59 PM

Lots of good choices, tried several of them. I keep going back to Photo-shop elements for editing. Irfanview for batch processing. (does a better job in RAW to Jpeg than PS IMO). PhotoME for quick look-see of EXIF and after messing with Picasa it has become my choice for organizing.
I also think that PSP PhotoX2 is very nice, hardly ever use it because it is on my Vista laptop that is tied up by kids and the wife.

Cheers. Mike.

09-08-2009, 01:19 PM	#26
R.Miller Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Midwest Coastal Region USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 426	Processing Software There are many choices out there, some free and some not. I've used several and can recommned the following: Free: Paint.Net - Very easy to use and very capable. (my favorite of the free ones) Picasa 3 - Also easy to use but not quite as capable as Paint.Net, but close. Gimp - Very powerful with a steeper learning curve than the above two Nominal cost: Photoshop Elements 7 - Very powerful and not to difficult to learn at least the basics. Great RAW support (PEF and DNG). (I currently use this one). Photo Impact - Now owned by Corel I think. I used it until Version 11. Not too pricey and also cramed full of features but not very hard to learn. High End High Cost: Have never used any so no opinion. Hope this helps.

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07-22-2009, 12:11 AM	#16
photog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane, Qld, Australia Posts: 165	imtheguy: Yes Elements is very inexpensive, but for a hubdred or 2 more you have Lightroom 2 (.4). This package does almost everything you can want to do and in maqny cases better that the full Photoshop CS$ package. Ron McDermott

08-30-2009, 06:26 PM	#17
chicagonyc New Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 18	I used to use Photoshop Elements for editing, but since I got my Pentax K100D and started shooting raw, I turned to Bibble which has some very nice RAW processing capabilities for a relatively low price.

09-01-2009, 06:26 AM	#18
Supa Lao Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 47	I prefer to use Lightroom. I used to do everything in Photoshop, but now I do everything in Lightroom. It takes some time getting used to it, but once you get the hang of it, it's just moving sliders. Plus there are free presets(actions) you can download off the net too.

09-01-2009, 07:38 AM	#19
brownargus Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK Posts: 55	If you only want to do basic tweaking, e.g. sharpening, brightness/contrast, rotating, cropping, etc., in my view there is nothing to beat Faststone Image Viewer 3.9, especially so for a beginner. And what's more it is free for personal use from FastStone Image Viewer, Screen Capture, Photo Resizer .... It will handle Pentax RAW files as well as JPEGs and TIFFs and will do an awful lot more. Why not give it a try. John

09-01-2009, 08:28 AM	#20
DennisH Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stratford, CT Photos: Gallery Posts: 730	Amazon Gold Box has Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 for $25. Is this a good program for a beginner?

09-01-2009, 08:37 AM	#21
clmonk Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eastern TN Posts: 269	DennisH Yes. It is a very good program. And for that price you cannot go wrong. I prefer Photoshop Elements, but like I said, at that price...

09-01-2009, 10:58 AM	#22
ChooseAName Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southeast USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 390	I use IrfanView for quick viewing of photos. You can download plugins to enable it the view raw images. If I'm going to be executing the same resize/rename command, I use IrfanView's batch processing. You can probably do this in other programs too, but IrfanView is simple and fast. In the interest of full disclosure, I am an SLR and image editing n00b. IrfanView and GIMP + UFraw are the only programs I've used. I use GIMP because I can't justify spending more money on photographic equipment than I already have.

09-01-2009, 11:56 AM	#23
regor Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Victoria, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 356	Originally posted by vmax84 Should I start getting familiar with the software that came with my K100D, or is there something else I should look into? ... Thanks a lot. vmax84 Surprised that no one mentionned Silkypix yet. I've tried many graphic editing packages over the years and I keep coming back to Silkypix. The Adobe product are extremely powerful, and it comes with a high learning curve and it seems that no task is simple. Too many options IMO. My suggestion is that you download as many free trials as you need to in order to give a good run at some of the products out there. We're all different in our approach and each products are very different as well. You need to find the match that is right for you. For me, Silkypix is giving me a quick way and very effective way to process RAW images, others feel differently about it. So just download it and try it. You've got 30 days free trial available (Go for the Pro version if you do). Roger

09-01-2009, 02:10 PM	#24
mecrox Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxford, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	I'm currently using the version 3 beta of ACDSee (free until 22 October). It seems to have two main things going for it: first, it is a good database come cataloguer for your image collection; and second, it is reasonably easy to obtain nice, high-quality jpegs from raw files with lighting adjusted and sharpening applied, etc (plus there's an uploader to Flickr embedded in the software). I can get the same results or better from Photoshop but it is more fiddly and takes a lot longer. However, ACDSee is for fairly straightforwards stuff only. If you want the full monty with layers, special effects and all the rest, then a proggie like Photoshop is the one (I've never used Elements or Lightroom, though either is tempting). I'll probably stick with ACDSee though, and eventually pay for the full version. It is a pretty foolproof way of dealing with 90 per cent or more of my pics. Photoshop has good sharpening tools, imho, and even better if you import some actions and/or use the high pass filter as a separate layer. The soft light layer effect can help to make a picture look richer and deeper, and the black-and-white converter is excellent, with several filters to choose from. For a picture that you really want to work on, something that uses layers is pretty important I'd guess.

09-08-2009, 08:48 AM	#25
manishved Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N. Calif Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,652	I tried the trial version of Photoshop CS4 and its very fast (but expensive). I will stick to GIMP and SilkyPix

09-08-2009, 01:40 PM	#27
arbib Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Camby, Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 379	For Editing, Paint Shop Pro X2 For Raw, Raw Therapy. The Pentax software is a bit odd, to Slikypix Software available separately. I am still trying it out..but, I think it could done better. All those separate windows a pain on my Laptop 15.4 screen. I tried Acdsee Pro 3..I did like that program, but it was a resource hug on my laptop with large files over 12mp or so..So is PSP-X2 AFATG ! I use the 3* setting to free up memory during Post work. I do plan to upgrade from 2gig to 4gig of ram next month.

09-08-2009, 02:01 PM	#28
maconmatt Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Macon, Georgia Photos: Gallery Posts: 62	I'll throw another name into the arena. If you are a Mac user, i recommend Apple's own Aperture. I've use Photoshop for years and still use it quite a bit for certain things (I'm a graphic designer), but I love Aperture's database capabilities and its seamless workflow with RAW images.

09-08-2009, 02:33 PM	#29
Graham V Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Thornbury, England Photos: Gallery Posts: 187	Another vote for Raw Therapee, better imo than the Pentax one and still free!

09-08-2009, 03:59 PM	#30
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Lots of good choices, tried several of them. I keep going back to Photo-shop elements for editing. Irfanview for batch processing. (does a better job in RAW to Jpeg than PS IMO). PhotoME for quick look-see of EXIF and after messing with Picasa it has become my choice for organizing. I also think that PSP PhotoX2 is very nice, hardly ever use it because it is on my Vista laptop that is tied up by kids and the wife. Cheers. Mike.