Bought my Camera but what Software

HotWire · Dec 22, 2009

Yeap just like the title says lol

I went and spent near 1k on my camera, extra lens, bag, a uv filter, 8g card, but then I started to think "Hmmm what am I missing?"... Then Whaaaam!!!! Oh yeah editing Software....:lmao: So any suggestions as to which program? I have never and I mean never used any photo editing software. But I've used MS Paint

But all messing around aside. I would like to keep cost down but want something good. Soooo is Photoshop the only contender still?

Mahalo

TJ K · Dec 22, 2009

Well you can check out lightroom. Also GIMP is free and I hear it is a lot like photoshop. Of course CS4 has everything you want and more but also cs5 is coming soon. If you are a student though cs4 can be had for 199 and 299 if you're in high school. GL
TJ

KmH · Dec 22, 2009

HotWire said:
Yeap just like the title says lol

I went and spent near 1k on my camera, extra lens, bag, a uv filter, 8g card, but then I started to think "Hmmm what am I missing?"... Then Whaaaam!!!! Oh yeah editing Software....:lmao: So any suggestions as to which program? I have never and I mean never used any photo editing software. But I've used MS Paint

But all messing around aside. I would like to keep cost down but want something good. Soooo is Photoshop the only contender still?

Mahalo

Look at Adobe Photoshop Elements 8, to get started.

Adobe has an Education Store and if you qualify as a higher education student, you can get Photoshop CS4 Extended ($1000 retail) for $200, or Photoshop Lightroom ($300 retail) for $99.

The hot setup would be to have Lightroom and CS4 Extended (or Elements), they compliment each other.

AtlPikMan · Dec 22, 2009

Photoshop and Lightroom are the two i use the most. I tend to favor Lightroom more. If you'd like to give it a try the Latest Beta Version is free until March.

Adobe Labs - Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3

DerekSalem · Dec 23, 2009

I use Lightroom and Photoshop and truth be told I use Lightroom most often. I got both licenses when I was still in college but my alumni association provides upgrades for reduced costs still so I make sure to get the latest versions.

Lightroom is basically an organized and slightly more basic photoshop. It encapsulates just about everything you'll ever use and has a fantastic Library system.

ScottsdaleImages · Dec 23, 2009

If you want to practice for free, definitely try GIMP at GIMP.org. Very much like CS4 and has alot of tutorials too. I use it and have been getting better and better at it.

Goontz · Dec 23, 2009

Keep in mind your camera should come with some software that will easily handle all basic edits (saturation, sharpness, cropping, etc). I'd recommend Lightroom otherwise, as far as buying something.

GFreg · Dec 23, 2009

I think you will be fine with MS Paint :lol:

Goontz said:
Keep in mind your camera should come with some software that will easily handle all basic edits (saturation, sharpness, cropping, etc). I'd recommend Lightroom otherwise, as far as buying something.

But seriously...this man speaks the truth. I love Lightroom! Try it before you buy it though because if you are looking for the same tools as photoshop then you will be sorry. They have a free trial on their website.

Edit:

AtlPikMan said:
Photoshop and Lightroom are the two i use the most. I tend to favor Lightroom more. If you'd like to give it a try the Latest Beta Version is free until March.

Adobe Labs - Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3

Wow, sweet! I will have to get my hands on that.

Pugs · Dec 23, 2009

Lightroom. It is the single greatest software tool I've come across for photography. I LOVE it. I also us CS4. The combination is powerful, but I don't know that you need CS4 at this point.

Darkhunter139 · Dec 23, 2009

DerekSalem said:
I use Lightroom and Photoshop and truth be told I use Lightroom most often. I got both licenses when I was still in college but my alumni association provides upgrades for reduced costs still so I make sure to get the latest versions.

Lightroom is basically an organized and slightly more basic photoshop. It encapsulates just about everything you'll ever use and has a fantastic Library system.

I use lightroom more often as well but you kind of need both if you want to do any heavy editing.

You can download a CS4 trial as well if you want to try that out but its not an easy piece of software to use.

HotWire · Dec 23, 2009

Thank you all so very much for the response. I will get this lightroom product. Just have to see what deal I can work on it price wise. lol.

Im not a student any longer as I just finished by AA (just so I had something lol, since it doesnt make a difference for me at this point) but I wonder if they have a similiar program that MS does with the military folks I shall see.

Mahalo all.