Beginner Post-Processing

[quinceandquilt]

Hi there:

There are a few things I don't understand. So far, with P&S cameras first I used Picasa for a while, then I started using iPhoto on my Mac to do some minor things.

Now that I'm graduating to the big leagues, i.e. dSLR, I don't understand how many different programs you need to use.

If you're shooting in RAW, do you need program A (for converting) + program B (for organizing + program C (for manipulating)?

Are there one-stop programs that do all 3?

With a Nikon I've been thinking about using Bibble, but it's not clear to me which of these steps it would handle.....

Do Photoshop Elements and Lightroom do the same things?

What about Mac Aperture, which steps does that one cover?

I'm totally confused.

Thanks,
Cynthia

[Skyyton]

Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture all have RAW processing included. It's pretty painless. Lightroom and Aperture serve the same function and both complement Photoshop. With Aperture/Lightroom you can import, organize, and adjust your images. If you need to layer or get into complex adjustments, you can edit with an external editor. I suggest you go with Aperture or Lightroom. You can then decide if you need an external editor in addition. I find I rarely use Photoshop anymore since those two programs are so powerful.

I have both. I prefer Aperture, but that is just me. I suggest you try both and see which you like best. In my opinion, Lightroom has a few more features, but I like the Aperture interface better. Plus it works hand in hand with iWeb, iPhoto, and all those other iApps.

[Samanax]

Photoshop Elements 8 will convert RAW files, organize your photo library (with Organizer) and edit images.

Lightroom 2 will also convert RAW files, organize your photo library and edit images all from one interface. Workflow is very smooth.

Photoshop CS4 will also convert RAW files, organize your photo library (with Bridge) and of course you can do almost any kind of image editing you can think of with it.

These three programs will do everything you need...it's just that Lightroom is easier to use because you do everything from one main interface. With Elements and Photoshop you work through different windows to convert RAW, organize and edit. And Elements and Photoshop have steeper learning curves than Lightroom.

Many people use Lightroom as their main photo management software now. Most of my friends do the majority of their image work in Lightroom and will only use ACR (Adobe Camera RAW) and Photoshop when an image needs heavy duty editing.

[quinceandquilt]

Thank you very much for explaining that to me.
cynthia

[BCampbell]

Hi Cynthia, the above is greta advice. If you don't want to invest in those programs (or pirate them... an entirely different conversation), you can use GIMP which is free and has most of the same functions as Photoshop.

UFRaw is a free RAW editor that works in GIMP or as a standalone, will let you make basic adjustments and conversions, and can then open a file in GIMP (if you are using it standalone).

GIMP also has a wide library of plugins and is regularly updated. It's a full-function, powerful editor.

Good luck!