Photo Editing Software

[photographybydeberin]

Hello all. My name is Debbie Emelander.

I recently shot photos for the Young Marines Boots graduation ceremony where I live.

I brought my strobes (lighting equipment) for the individual shots. Problem: I forgot to bring the plug-in for the top of my camera, where the flash normally goes,
so I could plug my strobe lights IN!

So now,... of course, I have 'shadows' behind my subjects. I don't have good photo editing software to get rid of these shadows, before I order the prints for my orders.

Does anyone have any GOOD suggestions, as to what photo editing software I could get that works well, is user-friendly, and won't put a bunch of 'add-on' junk on my computer ?

Thank You for any input any of You might have on this subject.

Debbie Emelander.

 

[480sparky]

Try GIMP.... it's free.

 

[JDFlood]

I'm not sure how severe the problem is, but Lightroom is probably overall the best. It is an order of magnitude easier to learn than Photoshop which is both it's alternative and addition. They work together with Lightroom doing the basic workflow and most adjustments then calling in Photoshop for rare pixel by pixel adjustments or very technical changes (most amateurs really will never need it). But these programs do not fit the category of get them to fix a one off problem with one batch of photos. What is odd is that you seemed to have graduated to more advanced photo capture before establishing a post process workflow. Maybe you should explain a little more about your background. But sounds like you might want to establish a PP workflow ( I recommend Lightroom). But, warning it is likely to take a while to develop the proficiency to fix the problem you have... I mean diving in to just fix one particular problem with photo software could be a little frustrating, vs working out a workflow... But we'll worth it.this is something you really want to do. JD

 

[texkam]

won't put a bunch of 'add-on' junk on my computer

What is a portable app? | PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB, portable and cloud drives

GIMP Portable | PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB, portable and cloud drives
Paint.net is also available as a portable app. Search for the portable version. Paint.NET - Free Software for Digital Photo Editing

 

[Big Mike]

Welcome to the forum.

Can you maybe show us an example of the problem you are trying to fix?

My first thought is that it's going to be a lot of work to completely remove shadows from a whole bunch of images. If the shadows are away from your subjects, then it wouldn't be so bad, you could just replace the shadow areas with more 'background'. But if the shadows are right beside the subjects, then you would have to mask off your subjects or extract them from the background...which can be very time consuming (if you want it to look good) and it's often very hard to make look good anyway. Best software to do this, would be Photoshop CS or maybe Photoshop Elements.

So my second thought, is whether or not it would be worth it or not. Shadows behind your subjects aren't ideal, but it's not the end of the world if the photos are otherwise OK. Maybe you could offer the photos, with the shadows, and chalk it up to a learning experience.

 

[Jaxxon]

I hope someone could help me with this: Ive used Gimp quite a lot but just saw PS Elements on offer in the Mac App store and Im considering buying it. Just wondering if its really different from the full version of Photoshop? I dont need much bit I dont to pay for it if its basically the same functions as Gimp which is free. Also, does anyone know if theres a difference in the way PS and gimp convert between color modes? Its just that I have a lot of photos converted with gimp, and wondering if PS uses a different algorithm to convert...? I asked my printer (print24) and they said preferably use the same app to keep color consistent.

So anyone?

 

[KmH]

Elements is only different in that being a consumer version of the pro grade Photoshop CS 6 it lacks some of the tools, features, and functions CS 6 has.

Elements includes an image Organizer and a Raw converter - Adobe Camera Raw 7. GIMP has neither, but there is other online freeware that can do those things.

As far as color management, these tutorials may be helpful - http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/color-management-printing.htm

 

[Jaxxon]

Thanks for the reply! Color management is such a tough thing to master. Im gonna spend the rest of the weekend reading those tutorials

 

[Jaxxon]

Woah you seem to be a massive Gimp fan hah. Bit yea I think its ok, just a bit too windows like for my taste.