Any other programs worth taking a look at?

[PaulWog]

I have Photoshop Lightroom 5, and Photoshop CS5. Both are permanent, without any monthly payments.

I'm wondering if there's anything else out there I should take a look at (I'm looking at software in particular, not monthly payment programs). I find what I've got is more than sufficient to get everything done, but I'm curious to see if there's any other programs which offer some interesting creative options which I might have not considered.

Also, are there any presets worth looking at? I've heard about presets that are used in Photoshop or Lightroom that people just slap on their photos, and tweak slightly. I'm not sure if those are actually valuable? I've always just done my own edits & creative work.

 

[jsecordphoto]

I just got microsoft ICE which has been awesome for stitching panoramas, maybe check that out

 

[PaulWog]

I just got microsoft ICE which has been awesome for stitching panoramas, maybe check that out

Thanks! I forgot about panorama stitching in software. I haven't actually done any panorama work yet, and that's something that I really want to do! I appreciate the input. Hopefully ICE supports vertical & horizontal stitching for extra-large panoramas.

Have any input on the best HDR software? I've heard CS5 is good for it, but that's another thing I want to try (especially with the winter weather) in the coming week or two.

 

[Light Guru]

I just got microsoft ICE which has been awesome for stitching panoramas, maybe check that out

Photoshop does a fine job at sticking images.

 

[Tee]

As far as presets, Nik software has some great plug ins. You can manipulate each preset.

 

[KmH]

Look at specialty/bundle applications from:
Google Nik Collection
Focused on Photography - onOne Software
Topaz Labs - Photography Software
HDR photography software & plugin for Lightroom, Aperture & Photoshop - Tone Mapping, Exposure Fusion & High Dynamic Range Imaging for photography
Photography | www.dxo.com

 

[480sparky]

Photoshop does a fine job at sticking images.

Sticking images? Doesn't that hurt them, or make them bleed? :mrgreen:

 

[Light Guru]

Photoshop does a fine job at sticking images.

Sticking images? Doesn't that hurt them, or make them bleed? :mrgreen:

Lol dang autocorrect. Stitching.

 

[jsecordphoto]

photoshop does have the built in merging for panoramas but I feel like ICE does a much better job. I also use photomatix for HDR rather than photoshop but it's really easy to get carried away in photomatix overdoing the HDR settings