Which Photo editing software would you recommend? Do you edit all your photos?

[Mandolin]

Thanks for the clarifications, Keith & Joe! :cheers:

 

[Ysarex]

Can you manage to make one of your raw files and an edit available -- drop box or something? If so I'll be happy to run it through LightZone for you. Another option would be for me to make a raw file available to you.

Joe

I'm new to the site, how would I go about making a RAW and edit available? I can email or post on my flickr if that is easier.

Here's a raw file that you can download: set_one_4.dng

It's a simple landscape. Go ahead and run it through LightZone and see what you get. I'll post a processed JPEG shortly and then I can go through the processing steps with you.

Joe

OK Schmiddy,

Here's that edited raw file:



And here's the LZ processing stack I created:



Here's the LightZone LZN file: set_one_4_lzn.jpg

Make sure the original DNG and this LZN file are together in the same folder. Browse that folder in LZ and you should see the two files side by side. Select the LZN file and then click on edit. The raw original will open with everything I did available for you to examine.

Joe

edit: You can't post raw files directly here in the forum but if you figure out how to use something like drop box and want me to take a look at one of your raw files just give me a holler.

 

[Schmidlove]

It's a simple landscape. Go ahead and run it through LightZone and see what you get. I'll post a processed JPEG shortly and then I can go through the processing steps with you.

Joe

I wasn't able to save the photo to open in LightZone. This is one of the recent edits, to me I feel as though I lost image quality but maybe its just my monitor. I'll keep at it and look up more tutorials. Also downlaoding dropbox as now so once I figure out how to get a RAW file your way then we can chat about my issues. Thanks again!!

 

[Ysarex]

It's a simple landscape. Go ahead and run it through LightZone and see what you get. I'll post a processed JPEG shortly and then I can go through the processing steps with you.

Joe

I wasn't able to save the photo to open in LightZone.

You got a Nikon 3200. That's good. You're a beginner and you've got lots to learn -- we've all been there.



So I can help you with LZ but you've got to find a way to get that NEF file into my hands. Right now I'm calling it a night -- check back in the morning.

Joe

 

[Schmidlove]

You got a Nikon 3200. That's good. You're a beginner and you've got lots to learn -- we've all been there.

View attachment 80209

So I can help you with LZ but you've got to find a way to get that NEF file into my hands. Right now I'm calling it a night -- check back in the morning.

Joe

Okay so i've finally figured it out, this was a grand feat on my behalf so check I can check this off my "lots to learn" list. Here is the raw file, https://www.dropbox.com/s/8wrcwr0bo3qmha5/010.NEF
I will check in sometime tomorrow to see if you can figure out what i'm messing up ha.

 

[Derrel]

Here is a very minimalist Nikon Capture 4.2 decoding and minor adjustment. A minor LCH or Lightness channel adjustment (because it looked too "dim" to me!), a tiny bit of color boost, and a 6-point curves tweak to adjust the image to what "I think" f/16 at 1/60 second ought to look like if shot over a saltwater marsh type area or a big lake this time of the year. I'm on my old computer right now, so that was the only software I had for D3200 NEFs. I added a wee bit of punch to the greens...not much though.



This is my interpretation of the file with what I would consider a "straight conversion", just to get the image to a fairly accurate representation of reality; this could of course be considered the starting point for a LOT more editing and adjusting, but this is what I consider to be the "minimalist" editing of NEF files. Nothing extreme at all, very minor adjustments. I have not used Nikon Capture in like 5 years, so it was kind of tedious...I'd forgotten just how clunky Capture 4.2 was!

 

[Ysarex]

Here is a very minimalist Nikon Capture 4.2 decoding and minor adjustment. A minor LCH or Lightness channel adjustment (because it looked too "dim" to me!), a tiny bit of color boost, and a 6-point curves tweak to adjust the image to what "I think" f/16 at 1/60 second ought to look like if shot over a saltwater marsh type area or a big lake this time of the year. I'm on my old computer right now, so that was the only software I had for D3200 NEFs. I added a wee bit of punch to the greens...not much though.

View attachment 80214

This is my interpretation of the file with what I would consider a "straight conversion", just to get the image to a fairly accurate representation of reality; this could of course be considered the starting point for a LOT more editing and adjusting, but this is what I consider to be the "minimalist" editing of NEF files. Nothing extreme at all, very minor adjustments. I have not used Nikon Capture in like 5 years, so it was kind of tedious...I'd forgotten just how clunky Capture 4.2 was!

Schmiddy,

Derrel doesn't say so explicitly, but you have the software he used -- comes with the camera.

Joe

 

[Schmidlove]

Great, thank you both! I realize it's all about practice but I appreciate the guidance.

 

[Ysarex]

Here's the photo processed through LightZone -- conservatively.



Unlike Nikon's raw conversion software that's free with the camera, LZ has the ability to make local adjustments and I took advantage of that (darken only the sky).

Here's the LightZone lzn file that will let you load and see all the changes that I made during processing. 010_lzn.jpg
Download and copy the lzn file to the directory where you have the NEF file and then when you browse that directory in LZ click on the lzn file and select the edit option.

I can answer questions about what I did and why.

There's lot's more for you to do. You mentioned your display earlier. You need to get that calibrated: Amazon.com : X-Rite CMUNSML ColorMunki Smile : Computer Mice : Camera & Photo

Joe