Thank You, and PP question

[Barbara V]

I have been reading articles at DPS for a couple of years now, but it is only recently (Feb.'10) that I joined the forums, and started participating here. I have to say, I am getting the greatest education from many of you, and I am thankful for it. I am getting addicted to this site to see what I can learn next about digital photography.

Post production seems to be a big thing. I have Photoshop 7*, and am at a complete loss with it when it comes to PP. I err towards the side of Picasa (which I heard refered to as a toy), and only do slight adjustments from time to time. Does no one (or very few) have final products that are straight from the camera? Is that like a no no in digital photography because we have so much room for altering an image? I don't think I can make a bad photo a good one, but should I always assume I could make a good one, better? Is it naive of me to consider the original shot the end all of the photographic process?

*I've downloaded the trial version of Lightroom, too, as well as Gimp. I think my brain is too old for these things, but they seem awfully complicated. I can't even figure out how to get my pictures into Lightroom, unless they are being downloaded directly from the camera. Pulling up old files doesn't seem possible though.... I'm just missing it, I guess.

[SusanH1970]

Welcome to DPS!

This has been discussed several times here. Some people are purists and dislike post processing. Others are the extreme opposite and use post processing to completely alter a photo and turn it into digital art. Some people use it to try to "fix" a bad photo (which can sometimes be done; i.e. if the white balance is off and you shot RAW, you can tweak the white balance in post processing). What I and a lot of others do is get the image right in-camera (focused, correct exposure, correct white balance), and use post processing to simply enhance the photo.

Hope this helps. I'm sure others will chime in.

ETA: Sorry, I can't help you with Lightroom or GIMP, I'm a CS2 user. Hopefully someone can help you out with that.

[Barbara V]

Thank you, Susan!

[windrider86]

The best way to learn how to use the programs is to jump in and play with all the settings. Get comfortable with what they do. Get familiar with each tool and where it is located.
Watch tutorials and copy them with your own images.
It takes time. If you stick with it and get comfortable you'll begin to see a difference. Eventually there will be a point when you get comfy that you'll do more and more processing. and thats ok
Feel to ask questions if you need help with anything. I'm pretty familiar with the pp end of things as well.
It isnt naive at all to feel that the sooc camera is the end image. There are no wrongs or rights in art. (some may disagree with me here) as long as you like what you see, who cares what anyone else sees or thinks.

[Barbara V]

Thank you, windrider, for your take on things. I will start playing around with these tools a bit more, perhaps. I agree with you there... there are no wrongs or rights in art.

[douglas]

First of all one is never to old to master new skills. I'm still at it!
Elements 7 is not too difficult, and will do just about everything you may need
Straight from the camera is good to aim for, or perhaps needing only minimal PP
Picasa is not a toy. It is free and very easy to use.Lightroom and Gimp take some learning, but for me Gimp is FREE!
For all these programs there are lots of tutorials, try googling for them. There are also good books.
When you are trying to use one of these programs, just try all the thing you can find, you will soon find out what every thing does, and shift-Z is your friend!
Best of luck

[Indigo November]

Oh, is it shift-Z in Canada? It's Ctrl-Z where I'm from.

[Barbara V]

Haha, Douglas, I knew someone had to mention my lack of confidence in aging brain matter sooner or later!
I will try googling those tutorials and see if this old brain can comprehend them. (awww, I ain't THAT old really... still have some synapes firing

Oh, and now to figure out what shift/ctrl-Z is? Undo?
edited to say, Ah yes, it is the undo button indeed.

[douglas]

Originally Posted by artofindigo

Oh, is it shift-Z in Canada? It's Ctrl-Z where I'm from.

I did say I was old...another senior moment Ctrl-z it is even here in Canada (sorry Barbara)