post processing

There have been some stunning before and after post processing photos
posted here in recent times. I've got zero experience of post processing
other than a bit of exposure adjustment and sharpening using Mac OSX (Lion)
built-in software. The photos posted here have been remarkable and I'd like
to learn how to do something similar.

So, where do I start? Presumably I'll need some software - whats the
recommendation?

If it matters I'm shooting with a Nikon D7000 and an 18-105 lens. I shoot
in RAW and jpg.

Thanks for any help.

--
Nige Danton - Replace the obvious with g.m.a.i.lu

In article , Nige Danton wrote:

There have been some stunning before and after post processing
photos posted here in recent times. I've got zero experience of post
processing other than a bit of exposure adjustment and sharpening
using Mac OSX (Lion) built-in software. The photos posted here have
been remarkable and I'd like to learn how to do something similar.

You need to show you examples of post processing you want to learn more
about. There have been lots of photos posted here, in many varied post
processing techniques, so it's hard to make an assumption.

So, where do I start? Presumably I'll need some software - whats the
recommendation?

I always recommend Photoshop.

If it matters I'm shooting with a Nikon D7000 and an 18-105 lens. I
shoot in RAW and jpg.

RAW contains more data than JPG, so post processing from RAW means you have
more to work with, which helps in most instances.


--
Sandman[.net]

On 2014-03-13 09:31:34 +0000, Nige Danton said:

There have been some stunning before and after post processing photos
posted here in recent times. I've got zero experience of post processing
other than a bit of exposure adjustment and sharpening using Mac OSX (Lion)
built-in software. The photos posted here have been remarkable and I'd like
to learn how to do something similar.

So, where do I start? Presumably I'll need some software - whats the
recommendation?

If it matters I'm shooting with a Nikon D7000 and an 18-105 lens. I shoot
in RAW and jpg.

Thanks for any help.

You are going to get all sorts of recommendations from all of us
regulars in these photo news groups, and we all hold some strong
opinions.
There are some free options, some affordable ones, and some quite
costly. Each of us have developed a workflow which suits us as
individuals.

Since you are using a Mac, I guess you are using iPhoto, which is quite
capable for basic snapshot adjustments. If you want to take a further
step at a reasonable cost, I suggest looking at Pixelmator. That is a
powerful full featured Mac photo editor which also has a fair number of
good video tutorials.
http://www.pixelmator.com

Many of us use Adobe software which has a large support and tutorial base.
The most affordable is Adobe Photoshop Elements.
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

As somebody who shoots RAW, my workflow is achieved with Adobe
Lightroom 5, and Photoshop CC. I have become comfortable using that
particular software, but ultimately it depends on what you want to
invest in time and money.
http://www.photoshop.com/products/photoshoplightroom
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/features.html

Take advantage of tutorials available online. There are also quite a
number of free podcasts by some of the best who provide this training.

As I said you are going to hear all sorts of opinions, and I am just
putting mine out there.

--
Regards,

Savageduck

On 3/13/2014 5:31 AM, Nige Danton wrote:
There have been some stunning before and after post processing photos
posted here in recent times. I've got zero experience of post processing
other than a bit of exposure adjustment and sharpening using Mac OSX (Lion)
built-in software. The photos posted here have been remarkable and I'd like
to learn how to do something similar.

So, where do I start? Presumably I'll need some software - whats the
recommendation?

If it matters I'm shooting with a Nikon D7000 and an 18-105 lens. I shoot
in RAW and jpg.

Thanks for any help.

The question you asked could easily start a war here. Try to ignore the
flames. It is also difficult to recommend a specific program since we
don't know what you are looking to do photographically. It could be
anything from simple shots to remind you of what you saw, to complex
works of art, and/or anything in between.
Most commercial programs will do decent image processing. Try starting
with a basic program such as Adobe Elements, or Corel Paint Shop Pro,
both under $100. Adobe LIghtroom is a bit more advanced, and Photoshop
even more complex. So much so, that unless you are prepared to spend a
lot of time just learning, it is easy to become frustrated. Having said
that, I personally use Adobe Photoshop, CC. I had started with Corel PSP
and quickly found it did not meet my needs. I took some web courses,
went to lots of lectures, and hands on workshops, and am basically
proficient. Before converting to digital, I had a small wet process
darkroom. I say all this just to let you know where I am coming from.
You might want to take advantage of some of the free trials available,
just do a basic tutorial, and see which one you are most comfortable with.
If you go the PS route, you will find Scott Kelby's books quite helpful.
The writing style is a bit wordy, but easy to follow:
I have tried some of the free programs, and think that they are too
frustrating to use. Other people like them.

HTH
--
PeterN

Le 13/03/14 10:49, Sandman a écrit :

So, where do I start? Presumably I'll need some software - whats the
recommendation?

I always recommend Photoshop.
Photoshop CS is very expensive ; plus, the learning curve is step.
Photoshop elements lacks some essential features (layers, what can you
do in PS without layers and scripts ? ).
So if you want to give your money to Adobe, get Lighroom instead.
As powerfull as PS CS is the Gimp ; the learning curve is step or worse.
But at last, it is free.
(And there is no such thing as free software : ridden with evangelists,
or full of holes, or digging into your information...See below)
You can do some ajustements with Picasa (no local ajustements) that is
free, newbie oriented and belongs to Google and scan your HD when
installing. I just hate that so I never went past this step of
installation...

If it matters I'm shooting with a Nikon D7000 and an 18-105 lens. I
shoot in RAW and jpg.

Raw developpement for Nikon is at its best with Capture NX 2 (because
Nikon raws are non-standard) ; beware that they are about to remove
essentials features in it, downgrading it so to speak.

I do 90% of my postprocessing in CaptureNX, the rest is between AdobeCS3
(I dont want to buy or rent a new version for the little use I have) and
I use Aperture -that has also postprocessing capabilities- just as host
to the Nik collection plug-ins.

(BTW I have now the free upgrade of Nik offered to former customers. Too
bad it does not plug into my CS3, or have scripting capabilities of it's
own.
I dont see anything better in the upgrade, beside a new plug-in "analog"
and the strange fact that for the Nik color efex pro, the defaut
settings of the presets are caricatures, not usable as such. I was
barely able to recongnise them !)

My advice is as usual ; download and install free trials and see what
fits you.
Then come back and ask for more details.

Noëlle Adam

In article , YouDontNeedToKnowButItsNoëlle wrote:

Le 13/03/14 10:49, Sandman a écrit :

Nige Danton:
So, where do I start? Presumably I'll need some software - whats
the recommendation?

Sandman:
I always recommend Photoshop.

Photoshop CS is very expensive ; plus, the learning curve is step.
Photoshop elements lacks some essential features (layers, what can
you do in PS without layers and scripts ? ).

Very much! On the topic of post-processing, Photoshop Elements is very
able. Few post processing techniques require the use of layers. Granted,
many layer functions of Photoshop CC are very handy in post-processing, but
not necessary.

So if you want to give your money to Adobe, get Lighroom instead.

LR is a full image database and file management application and it's a bit
over the top for mere post processing. Plus (as far as I'm aware) LR
doesn't support Photoshop plugins (correct me if I'm wrong) but Elements
does, so there's a plethora of cheap or free plugins out there you can use
for your post processing needs.

As powerfull as PS CS is the Gimp ; the learning curve is step or worse.
But at last, it is free.

I wouldn't recomment the Gimp even to Tony

(And there is no such thing as free software : ridden with evangelists,
or full of holes, or digging into your information...See below) You can
do some ajustements with Picasa (no local ajustements) that is free,
newbie oriented and belongs to Google and scan your HD when installing. I
just hate that so I never went past this step of installation...

iPhoto is free and has some really neat post processing tools, but compared
to Photoshop, it's sort of meager.

Nige Danton:
If it matters I'm shooting with a Nikon D7000 and an 18-105
lens. I shoot in RAW and jpg.

Raw developpement for Nikon is at its best with Capture NX 2
(because Nikon raws are non-standard) ; beware that they are about
to remove essentials features in it, downgrading it so to speak.

There really is no standard RAW format, at least not used by the major
manufacturers. They all have proprietary formats that has to be
reverse-engineered by people that want to read them. That's why NX2 is
the only application that can *write* to the RAW format.

Adobe really wants people to use the open DNG format, but few manufacturers
do, and Nikon and Canon probably never will.

I do 90% of my postprocessing in CaptureNX, the rest is between
AdobeCS3 (I dont want to buy or rent a new version for the little
use I have) and I use Aperture -that has also postprocessing
capabilities- just as host to the Nik collection plug-ins.

Aperture has great post processing tools. I use it a lot.



--
Sandman[.net]

On 2014-03-13 13:50:35 +0000, Sandman said:

In article ,
YouDontNeedToKnowButItsNoëlle wrote:

Le 13/03/14 10:49, Sandman a écrit :

Nige Danton:
So, where do I start? Presumably I'll need some software - whats
the recommendation?

Sandman:
I always recommend Photoshop.

Photoshop CS is very expensive ; plus, the learning curve is step.
Photoshop elements lacks some essential features (layers, what can
you do in PS without layers and scripts ? ).

Very much! On the topic of post-processing, Photoshop Elements is very
able. Few post processing techniques require the use of layers. Granted,
many layer functions of Photoshop CC are very handy in post-processing, but
not necessary.

So if you want to give your money to Adobe, get Lighroom instead.

LR is a full image database and file management application and it's a bit
over the top for mere post processing. Plus (as far as I'm aware) LR
doesn't support Photoshop plugins (correct me if I'm wrong)

Sorry Jonas, this is one of those times you are wrong. LR can, and does
use a whole bunch of Photoshop plugins including but not limited to the
NIK Collection, the OnOne Suite, and Tiffin DFX.

From a view point of processing RAW files, LR5 is far from being over
the top for "mere post processing", it probably has one of the simplest
and logical RAW workflows.

but Elements does, so there's a plethora of cheap or free plugins out
there you can use
for your post processing needs.

....and the same is true for LR5.

As powerfull as PS CS is the Gimp ; the learning curve is step or worse.
But at last, it is free.

I wouldn't recomment the Gimp even to Tony

Agreed! However, Floyd and Sid are not going to agree, but then they
aren't using a Mac as the OP does.

(And there is no such thing as free software : ridden with evangelists,
or full of holes, or digging into your information...See below) You can
do some ajustements with Picasa (no local ajustements) that is free,
newbie oriented and belongs to Google and scan your HD when installing. I
just hate that so I never went past this step of installation...

iPhoto is free and has some really neat post processing tools, but compared
to Photoshop, it's sort of meager.

Nige Danton:
If it matters I'm shooting with a Nikon D7000 and an 18-105
lens. I shoot in RAW and jpg.

Raw developpement for Nikon is at its best with Capture NX 2
(because Nikon raws are non-standard) ; beware that they are about
to remove essentials features in it, downgrading it so to speak.

There really is no standard RAW format, at least not used by the major
manufacturers. They all have proprietary formats that has to be
reverse-engineered by people that want to read them. That's why NX2 is
the only application that can *write* to the RAW format.

Adobe really wants people to use the open DNG format, but few manufacturers
do, and Nikon and Canon probably never will.

I do 90% of my postprocessing in CaptureNX, the rest is between
AdobeCS3 (I dont want to buy or rent a new version for the little
use I have) and I use Aperture -that has also postprocessing
capabilities- just as host to the Nik collection plug-ins.

Aperture has great post processing tools. I use it a lot.

I should have added Aperture to my list of Mac appropriate PP apps, but
to the affordable and powerful Mac specific apps the Mac user can also
consider Pixelmator, or Acorn.

http://www.pixelmator.com
http://www.flyingmeat.com/acorn/


--
Regards,

Savageduck

In article
-september.
org, Nige Danton wrote:

There have been some stunning before and after post processing photos
posted here in recent times. I've got zero experience of post processing
other than a bit of exposure adjustment and sharpening using Mac OSX (Lion)
built-in software. The photos posted here have been remarkable and I'd like
to learn how to do something similar.

depending on what you want to do, either lightroom or photoshop.

lightroom is a good all in one solution that does most adjustments and
also includes asset management so you can keep track of all the various
versions of the photos. it also is a non-destructive workflow.

photoshop is an extremely capable image editing app but it lacks some
of the stuff lightroom has. depending on what you want to do, that
might matter or it might not. also, a non-destructive workflow is quite
a bit harder with photoshop because it's not designed for it. it's
possible but it takes a lot of effort.

photoshop elements is a terrific way to get started and it's about
$50-60. it's more than enough to keep you busy learning for a while. in
the event you outgrow it, then you can get photoshop cs/cc.

In article ,
YouDontNeedToKnowButItsNoëlle wrote:

So, where do I start? Presumably I'll need some software - whats the
recommendation?

I always recommend Photoshop.

Photoshop CS is very expensive ; plus, the learning curve is step.

he doesn't need cs.

elements is more than adequate, especially for someone just getting
started.

if it turns out that he needs more, he can get cs/cc later on.

there is a wealth of tutorials, online videos, books and more for
photoshop (which means both versions) to get started. there is also a
huge choice of plugins available for all kinds of special effects.

Photoshop elements lacks some essential features (layers, what can you
do in PS without layers and scripts ? ).

elements has layers.

So if you want to give your money to Adobe, get Lighroom instead.

excellent recommendation, but depending on what kind of post processing
he wants to do, that might not be the best choice. lightroom does most
of the common stuff, just not everything. it's also non-destructive
which is a *huge* plus.

As powerfull as PS CS is the Gimp ; the learning curve is step or worse.
But at last, it is free.

the gimp isn't anywhere close to photoshop cs. it isn't even a match
for elements.

it's still around ten years behind photoshop and even lacks some stuff
that photoshop 3 had (not cs3, but version 3) back in the mid-90s, some
*twenty* years ago. the gimp requires a lot more work to do many tasks
plus it's not optimized and runs substantially slower than modern apps
do on the same hardware.

it's not even worth free, it's that bad.

(And there is no such thing as free software : ridden with evangelists,
or full of holes, or digging into your information...See below)

there is a lot of free software, but in many cases, you are the
product, as you mention.

You can do some ajustements with Picasa (no local ajustements) that is
free, newbie oriented and belongs to Google and scan your HD when
installing. I just hate that so I never went past this step of
installation...

picasa isn't much better than what he has now on his mac.

Le 13/03/14 14:50, Sandman a écrit :

I wouldn't recomment the Gimp even to Tony
I dont recomment the Gimp either, merely signaling that for
post-processing photos, it can do as much as PS CS, a lot cheaper but
not simpler !

(And there is no such thing as free software : ridden with evangelists,
or full of holes, or digging into your information...See below) You can
do some ajustements with Picasa (no local ajustements) that is free,
newbie oriented and belongs to Google and scan your HD when installing. I
just hate that so I never went past this step of installation...

There really is no standard RAW format, at least not used by the major
manufacturers. They all have proprietary formats that has to be
reverse-engineered by people that want to read them. That's why NX2 is
the only application that can *write* to the RAW format.

It is the only one that give access (including reverse) to some niceties
you set on camera, like the level of d-lighning or preset style of photos...

Adobe really wants people to use the open DNG format, but few manufacturers
do, and Nikon and Canon probably never will.
And Fuji use some crazy proprietary format that is not easy to use from
an non-proprietary raw software. Something to consider when buying a
camera.

I do 90% of my postprocessing in CaptureNX, the rest is between
AdobeCS3 (I dont want to buy or rent a new version for the little
use I have) and I use Aperture -that has also postprocessing
capabilities- just as host to the Nik collection plug-ins.

Aperture has great post processing tools. I use it a lot.

Yes, but for me it is a bit redondant with what I have in NX2.
I dont do that much post-processing on CS, but when I do it is for
specific things that I find only there : and with scripts. I use it
also for graphics and preparing files with text or graphics bits.

Yet I dont know about free plug-ins that could be useful for me :
I tried some plug-ins but they where not free or not useful. Some both.
I had the Genuine Fractals plug-in (not free) but after I tried and
uninstalled the whole suite i was never able to get it back working .
What do you use as PS plug-ins ?

I use Aperture as host for Nik.
Dfine noise filter is incredibly good, and selective sharpening is easy,
and Color Efex pro allow for very fast corrections.
And I use also Aperture a little bit for sony files. But the
multiplication of files bothers me.

Noëlle Adam