Editing software

[slat]

I was curious as to what the next step up would be in editing software? I'm using Canon DPP. Is there software that I can use with DPP like a denoise program? Is it better to just go to something different altogether? I'm wanting to get more serious about editing my photos.

 

[smoke665]

Here's my suggestion, almost everything out there has a "try before you buy" option. I would highly suggest you do that first, then whittle down your options. Asking for generic opinions on software is like asking which car brand is best, everyone has a favorite for different reasons.

 

[petrochemist]

Many people believe Photoshop is the only software worth using. I find it far to complicated for the limited processing I want to do. I much prefer FastStone which also happens to be free!

I remember there are several packages that specifically deal with noise. though I don't use any of them.

 

[DigiFilm]

You're going to get as many different answers as you do responses. I can agree with smoke to try a bunch of different free trials. However, don't get caught up in the "Oooo! This one does it for you!" syndrome.

My recommendation is as always: Free. Darktable is incredibly powerful and is totally free. It is updated (for free) twice per year. It can do the same processing any other program can do, but for free. Did I mention it's free? There is a learning curve, but if you're starting from scratch, there will be a curve for all of them. There is a tremendous wealth of tutorials. One guy in particular does down to earth videos, Bruce Williams.

Bruce Williams Photography

darktable is a FOSS (free and open-source software) alternative to apps like Lightroom and Raw Therapee. Bruce Williams will help you get up to speed on this awesome alternative RAW image editor.

www.youtube.com

I also use FastStone as recommended by petrochemist, which is also free. While it will do basic processing, it was intended more to be a file management tool. I use it to cull and set up subfolders.

 

[smoke665]

I've been pretty much Adobe since the start, so no comment on the above recommendations. I didn't find a lot of comprehensive reviews on FastStone, but I did find this on Darktable and Rawtherapee which you might find helpful. Which Free Editing Software Works Better: Darktable or Rawtherapee?

 

[DigiFilm]

I've been pretty much Adobe since the start, so no comment on the above recommendations. I didn't find a lot of comprehensive reviews on FastStone, but I did find this on Darktable and Rawtherapee which you might find helpful. Which Free Editing Software Works Better: Darktable or Rawtherapee?

The article is 3 years old, there have been at least 6 updates to DT since then. Interesting he said he misses his vibrance slider, it's there, I use it regularly. The key to DT isn't to use all the sliders. DT allows you to set up your workflow the way you want, and you don't even see modules you don't use unless you want to.

 

[CapNBall]

It would also be helpful for you to figure out what's important to you for the software and workflow. Some do file management, some don't. Some focus on automation and ease of use. Some focus on user control and have steeper learning curves. Some focus on live view and capture. Some focus on advanced editing while others are more for raw processing.
The difficult part at this point, is you may not even know what's important to you.
I 100% agree with doing free trials of various softwares and narrowing it down.
If you have an idea of things you might prioritize in a software, some people here may be able to help narrow down your list.

 

[Ysarex]

You're going to get as many different answers as you do responses. I can agree with smoke to try a bunch of different free trials. However, don't get caught up in the "Oooo! This one does it for you!" syndrome.

My recommendation is as always: Free. Darktable is incredibly powerful and is totally free. It is updated (for free) twice per year. It can do the same processing any other program can do, but for free.

That's a bit of an exaggeration. None of the various apps available can do the same processing the others can do. There's a lot of basic overlap and then some have unique abilities that the others do not, or some do a notably better job at some tasks. Darktable is the best of the FOSS apps and worth including in a list of processing apps to consider. It has it's strengths and weakness and can do most of the same processing the commercial apps provide. Darktabke has functions some of the commercial apps do not and vice versa.

Did I mention it's free? There is a learning curve, but if you're starting from scratch, there will be a curve for all of them. There is a tremendous wealth of tutorials. One guy in particular does down to earth videos, Bruce Williams.

Bruce Williams Photography

darktable is a FOSS (free and open-source software) alternative to apps like Lightroom and Raw Therapee. Bruce Williams will help you get up to speed on this awesome alternative RAW image editor.

www.youtube.com

I also use FastStone as recommended by petrochemist, which is also free. While it will do basic processing, it was intended more to be a file management tool. I use it to cull and set up subfolders.

 

[slat]

I expected answers to be many and varied. I have only used Olympus Workspace and Canon DPP. Both seem a little limited in what they can do.
Thanks for the replies. I'll research and free trial some of those mentioned.

 

[DigiFilm]

That's a bit of an exaggeration. None of the various apps available can do the same processing the others can do. There's a lot of basic overlap and then some have unique abilities that the others do not, or some do a notably better job at some tasks. Darktable is the best of the FOSS apps and worth including in a list of processing apps to consider. It has it's strengths and weakness and can do most of the same processing the commercial apps provide. Darktabke has functions some of the commercial apps do not and vice versa.

And you’re a bit anal. The fact is that Darktable can do the same job processing as any other program. You know what I meant, but you chose to pick over the statement anyway. No surprise in that you've made it clear you're anti-Darktable.

I will say it again, but more precisely so there's no doubt: Darktable is capable of producing the same results as cany other good processing software.

Is that ok, or would you prefer to debate this more? Looking around this site, that seems to be your forte. I'm fairly decent at it too, just let me know how you wish to proceed.

 

[Ysarex]

And you’re a bit anal. The fact is that Darktable can do the same job processing as any other program. You know what I meant, but you chose to pick over the statement anyway. No surprise in that you've made it clear you're anti-Darktable.

I will say it again, but more precisely so there's no doubt: Darktable is capable of producing the same results as cany other good processing software.

That's incorrect. Darktable is a good raw processing app and I've recommended it many times to lots of people. The various commercial raw processors are not capable of producing the same results as each other. There are differences that matter. One example would be noise filtering. Darktable does a fair job with noise filtering but it can't compete with state-of-the-art options such as PhotoLab. C1 can't compete with PhotoLab in that regard so Darktable is in good company.

Darktable has good retouch tools including some that the commercial apps lack. But it can't do what I did in the photo below (done parametrically in PhotoLab). Clone the goose lower right, flip the clone horizontally, shrink the clone because it's going to be farther away and rotate the clone counterclockwise.

They're not all capable of producing the same results and so it's important to have a good long look at how well what you select to use matches up with your needs and expectations.

Is that ok, or would you prefer to debate this more? Looking around this site, that seems to be your forte. I'm fairly decent at it too, just let me know how you wish to proceed.

 

[AlanKlein]

Adobe Photoshop Elements is the kid brother of regular Photoshop for editing still photos, RAW, JPEG, etc. It costs $100 for a lifetime license. It;s $75 if you also get Premiere Elements the companion video processing software. Total is $150 for both. The video one will automate video slide shows with titles and music and fancy stuff or you can do it yourself with easy menu driven options or expert editing options. Lots of auto settings to use in both programs. I have both programs and have used both.

If you want to see how Premiere Elements put together edited still photos into a slide show, see this on my Youtube page. It combines still and short video clips. YOu can watch this on TV, monitor, cellphone, etc.

 

[SquarePeg]

I resisted Adobe for a while but in the end when I wanted to advance, I found that most of the tutorials out there are Adobe centric and not using it was hindering my editing development.

Personally, I like Lightroom Classic and find it much easier to use than Photoshop. And now with the AI selections tools it is even more user friendly. Free tutorials all over YouTube. For noise reduction and sharpening, I still prefer Topaz Denoise and Topaz Sharpen.

I like the pay monthly $ Adobe model where you always have the latest updates vs buying something for $$$ that is out of date a few months later. Technology advances so quickly now!

 

[snowbear]

Play nice or the thread gets locked and possible suspensions get issued. Use the "Ignore" function rather than argue.

Only one warning.

 

[greybeard]

I use the Adobe bundle of Lightroom/Photoshop and Luminar Neo. I've been at a long time and have tried just about everything out there. These 2 products work for me.