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#1
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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 |
#2
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post processing
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] |
#3
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post processing
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 |
#4
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post processing
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 |
#5
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post processing
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 |
#6
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post processing
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] |
#7
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post processing
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 |
#8
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post processing
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. |
#9
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post processing
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. |
#10
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post processing
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 |
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