postprocessing software?

[nyamy]

what do you recommend for a new learner?
up until now, I havent done any pp, trying to learn exposure, composition, etc before complicating things.
hopefully soon I'll be able to take a shot worth pp, so I'd like to start learning.
what software is relatively easy to learn for someone who isnt tech-savvy (took me a while to figure out my blackberry, for example)?
thanks for any recommendations

 

[mfo]

An app that has Levels, Curves and USM (Unsharp Mask, sharpening) adjustment tools. GIMP (free, open-source), FastStone Image Viewer (free for personal use). GIMP - Downloads Download FastStone Image Viewer

 

[table1349]

Why don't you start with what came with your camera. That's why they put that CD in the box. Once you learn a little about post processing and work flows then you can look for 3rd party software.

 

[KmH]

+1 ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ - Start with what came with your camera, particularly the camera users manual. It is easier/better to get a photo mostly right in the camera rather than relying on post processing to 'fix' stuff. So you have to be familiar with your camera's controls, functions, and features.

 

[balajim]

I totally agree with KmH, BUT this is the right time to get used to Photoshop. Even the best photographer can't do without Photoshop. For that reason, start with the free application Gimp, but then move over to Photoshop as soon as you can.

 

[mfo]

Good point about the supplied software. If/when you outgrow that, then make a more informed choice to upgrade.

edit: Still might need to clone out occasional dust and spots though. Can e.g Nikonware/Canonware do that?

 

[KmH]

Not if you do proper camera/lens maintanence so there are no spots or image sensor dust.

 

[mfo]

In my experience, it can and does happen anytime, including after cleaning. My camera's filter and optics sometimes get contaminated during use (e.g in the countryside) while I'm in the process of capturing shots. So sooner or later I believe a photographer's SOOCs will display, dirt, pollen, raindrops etc.

As advised, the camera CD of apps is the easiest solution to the OP question. FastStone can be downloaded/installed/run in minutes. It has Clone & Heal. As soon as possible, move up to Adobe Photoshop.

 

[table1349]

I totally agree with KmH, BUT this is the right time to get used to Photoshop. Even the best photographer can't do without Photoshop. For that reason, start with the free application Gimp, but then move over to Photoshop as soon as you can.

There are a large number of photographers that don't use Photoshop. Folks like Joe Cornish, Paul Hartley, Peter Eastway and Tim Wolcott to name just a few. While Photoshop is and excellent editing program, it is neither the only one or always the best one. Most people don't need a lot of editing for their photographs, they need to be able to process them. One excellent cross between Photoshop and a program like Lightroom is Phase One Capture One Pro. At $399 it is cheaper than Photoshop and is a very complete package. At this point the OP is not in a place to need or understand much more than their owners manual, and the basic software that came with their camera. Once they develop and understanding of photography in the camera and then begin to understand post processing they will be in a better place to decide the software that they need.

 

[nyamy]

thanks for the advice. I seem to vaguely recall a cd....will have to see if I can find it.
agree about learning to get the shot mostly right in the camera, but even good photographers make mistakes sometimes, right? (not that I'm good, just saying)
anyway, will look for that cd and give gimp a try.

 

[table1349]

thanks for the advice. I seem to vaguely recall a cd....will have to see if I can find it.
agree about learning to get the shot mostly right in the camera, but even good photographers make mistakes sometimes, right? (not that I'm good, just saying)
anyway, will look for that cd and give gimp a try.

No, good photographers get the most out of the situation and their gear and then enhance it to their achieve their vision. Mistakes are things like out of focus, blown highlight, cut off body parts, screwed up angles etc. Those can't be fixed. Out of focus is out of focus, blown highlights are gone as are cut off body parts, screwed up angles can sometimes be corrected if it is a whole photo with a loss of some or even a significant portion of that photo. Not to be confused with certain types of distortion from particular focal length of lenses and or shooting position. Things like pincushioned buildings can be corrected. You have the right idea though, get it right in camera and then tweak as needed. Good luck.

 

[Kerbouchard]

What a bunch of pretentious nonsense. All digital captures need some post processing to get the most out of it. Get over it and get off your high horse. The OP asked about post processing software, not rather you think it can be negated by proper cleaning of your sensor...sheesh.

In any case, most of the camera manufacturer's software sucks and there is a reason why Photoshop is the industry standard. To compare the software that comes with a Nikon camera to Adobe, or even just Adobe Camera Raw, is just silly.

What I would recommend is going over to the photoshop website, edit photos, photo editing software program | Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 and downloading the free trial for photoshop elements. It's full featured, but it expires after 30 days. When it expires, download the free trial for lightroom. Again, full featured but expires after 30 days. When it expires, then download the free trial for Photoshop CS5. Again, full featured but it expires after 30 days.

That gives you 3 months to get accustomed to different applications, figure out what you want out of a software program at no charge to you, and it gives you plenty of time to save up some money to buy the one that best suits you. Most people start with Photoshop Elements or Lightroom.

 

[nyamy]

thanks for the advice. I seem to vaguely recall a cd....will have to see if I can find it.
agree about learning to get the shot mostly right in the camera, but even good photographers make mistakes sometimes, right? (not that I'm good, just saying)
anyway, will look for that cd and give gimp a try.

No, good photographers get the most out of the situation and their gear and then enhance it to their achieve their vision. Mistakes are things like out of focus, blown highlight, cut off body parts, screwed up angles etc. Those can't be fixed. Out of focus is out of focus, blown highlights are gone as are cut off body parts, screwed up angles can sometimes be corrected if it is a whole photo with a loss of some or even a significant portion of that photo. Not to be confused with certain types of distortion from particular focal length of lenses and or shooting position. Things like pincushioned buildings can be corrected. You have the right idea though, get it right in camera and then tweak as needed. Good luck.

I think of pp as something I'd use to enhance an already good shot. by mistakes I meant not noticing that a garbage can is peeking out between the trees in the background and stuff like that. I think everybody makes mistakes now and then. even good photogs. I'll bet sometimes a 'mistake' can be saved to some degree with pp (depending on the mistake). I'm not going pro, I mean saved to the degree that I can hang a shot of my kid on the wall rather than stash it in a box.
I havent bothered with pp yet because I know that no amount of pp can make my bad shots good.
hopefully I'll be getting to a place where some of my shots are worth enhancing so I think I'm ready to start learning.
that's all.