David Bookbinder
Leading Member
Eventually you will need image management software. If you have PC, IMatch, at photools.com, is extremely versatile and has good support from the developer and a very active user forum.
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What software is a must ?
- Thread starter Sirhuntsalot
- Start date
Yes, the best advice is to download the free trials and see if you like any of them. You get 30 days - just be sure to use them for that period because sometimes these things take a little time to get used to using!
From what I understand visiting various photoblogs and doing lots of reading, Lightroom is great if you are a person who must handle MANY photographs. It allows you to work with photos in groups. It allows you to do "fixes" on groups of photos easily. It's basically a great photo-database with some extras for doing touchups to pictures. It's excellent for professional and very prolific amateurs - but not necessary for everyone.
If you want to do more detailed work, you need to have one of the other photoshop products or another photo manipulation type software. I will also be looking at NX because I hadn't heard of it before getting to these forums. Elements is the least expensive photoshop and the one I will be looking into in a couple weeks (I've never done much photo editing... only resizing). CS3 - is over $600. It has all the bells and whistles, but you are paying for them. If you plan on being a pro or doing graphic design or don't mind spending the money, this is the software for you.
Once again though - try before you buy. Make sure it works on your system! Google around and check things out. There's even a free photo thing by Adobe and one called Picassa. You might want to try those if you aren't ready to invest lots of money and time yet. Because, let's face it, just at first you will want to be playing with your new camera!!! Not sitting around trying to figure out photo software.
Good Luck!
From what I understand visiting various photoblogs and doing lots of reading, Lightroom is great if you are a person who must handle MANY photographs. It allows you to work with photos in groups. It allows you to do "fixes" on groups of photos easily. It's basically a great photo-database with some extras for doing touchups to pictures. It's excellent for professional and very prolific amateurs - but not necessary for everyone.
If you want to do more detailed work, you need to have one of the other photoshop products or another photo manipulation type software. I will also be looking at NX because I hadn't heard of it before getting to these forums. Elements is the least expensive photoshop and the one I will be looking into in a couple weeks (I've never done much photo editing... only resizing). CS3 - is over $600. It has all the bells and whistles, but you are paying for them. If you plan on being a pro or doing graphic design or don't mind spending the money, this is the software for you.
Once again though - try before you buy. Make sure it works on your system! Google around and check things out. There's even a free photo thing by Adobe and one called Picassa. You might want to try those if you aren't ready to invest lots of money and time yet. Because, let's face it, just at first you will want to be playing with your new camera!!! Not sitting around trying to figure out photo software.
Good Luck!
wilson44512
Leading Member
picture project came with my D40. and it works pretty good. and some times i use photoshop Cs2
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D40 18-55MM-55-200MM VR Tamron 70-300MM
Canon S3 IS
Kodak Z710
Canon A570 IS
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D40 18-55MM-55-200MM VR Tamron 70-300MM
Canon S3 IS
Kodak Z710
Canon A570 IS
I suggest you start shooting in jpeg it's simple safe and a quick good way to learn.
ACDsee is a great Viewer/Editor/Organizer and my favourite.
Later when you've build up some experience you might shoot in NEF(raw) and use photoshop CS3/Adobe bridge ACR 4.41 with the D40 plug-in.
Lightroom should be fine too, but personally I've hardly worked with that program
Regards,
Arree
Like to see some pic's ?
http://picasaweb.google.nl/Arretje56/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13935871@N04/
ACDsee is a great Viewer/Editor/Organizer and my favourite.
Later when you've build up some experience you might shoot in NEF(raw) and use photoshop CS3/Adobe bridge ACR 4.41 with the D40 plug-in.
Lightroom should be fine too, but personally I've hardly worked with that program
Regards,
Arree
Like to see some pic's ?
http://picasaweb.google.nl/Arretje56/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13935871@N04/
CS3 is overkill unless you are a professional. Photoshop Elements ships with Adobe Camera RAW which is a great RAW converter, if you decide to shoot RAW.
If you have a Mac, the latest iPhoto is really good and integrates well with PS Elements (or CS3)
If you have a Mac, the latest iPhoto is really good and integrates well with PS Elements (or CS3)
D Lynch
Veteran Member
I'm red/green troubled...
DaveL
DaveL
Joey Camacho
Well-known member
What plug-in's can work with Elements? If I recall a few be I can't remember..
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D70/D2H
18-55 DX
17-50 XRii
50 D 1.8
70-300 VR
SB-600 x2
manfrotto tri 718b, mono 681b
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D70/D2H
18-55 DX
17-50 XRii
50 D 1.8
70-300 VR
SB-600 x2
manfrotto tri 718b, mono 681b
Peter Gaunt
Member
Eridan Fetahagic
Member
Aperture
Lightroom
Photoshop
Nothing else.
Lightroom
Photoshop
Nothing else.
archer69
Senior Member
on what you need and how much money you want to spend.
If you just want to view, make simple adjustments, crops, resizing then I believe the free Nikon ViewNX will be enough (should come with the camera, or you can download it for free from the Nikon website). It has a basic NEF (Raw) converter too.
If you shoot maily JPEG's and want do a little more in adjustments, I would invest into photoshop elements. This gives you 99% of the tools you may ever need, but also automated functions to get started faster. It also allows you to convert NEF (Raw) with many controls. You can get the latest version for around $80.
If you plan to get into RAW (NEF) and want to get the very best out of your pictures I would also buy Nikon Capture NX. This IMO will give you the best conversions and has great tools for global or selective adjustments. You probably can get it for $100-120.
So, for $200 (Adobe Photoshop Elements & Nikon Capture NX) you have all you need.
A word to Adobe Lightroom or Apply Aperture: I tried them but just don't like the way they work. Doesn't mean they are bad, but just not to my likings.
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Regards,
JH
http://www.jh-photography.net
If you just want to view, make simple adjustments, crops, resizing then I believe the free Nikon ViewNX will be enough (should come with the camera, or you can download it for free from the Nikon website). It has a basic NEF (Raw) converter too.
If you shoot maily JPEG's and want do a little more in adjustments, I would invest into photoshop elements. This gives you 99% of the tools you may ever need, but also automated functions to get started faster. It also allows you to convert NEF (Raw) with many controls. You can get the latest version for around $80.
If you plan to get into RAW (NEF) and want to get the very best out of your pictures I would also buy Nikon Capture NX. This IMO will give you the best conversions and has great tools for global or selective adjustments. You probably can get it for $100-120.
So, for $200 (Adobe Photoshop Elements & Nikon Capture NX) you have all you need.
A word to Adobe Lightroom or Apply Aperture: I tried them but just don't like the way they work. Doesn't mean they are bad, but just not to my likings.
--
Regards,
JH
http://www.jh-photography.net
Eridan Fetahagic
Member
For me there a only three applications. I am on Apple iMac, Mac OS X Leopard, and I use Aperture, Lightroom and Photoshop. I've tried Nikon software, but I didn't really like the interface, pretty ugly and besides Aperture and Lightroom blows away Nikon Capture. I won't even mention Photoshop, as it's superior to anything out there. Nothing can compare with these three applications. I am shooting only in RAW format.
gerryd04
Veteran Member
Curves for elements 2, free of charge
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/photoshop-elements-curves.html
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Gerry,
http://gerryd.smugmug.com/ discount code on homepage
gerryd04
Veteran Member
Plenty, you may have to google them all, curves are good to add to the older versions
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/photoshop-elements-curves.html
I also have lots of fun with the virtual photographer plugin, hundreds of nice conversions
http://www.optikvervelabs.com/
And some actions that work with older versions that have the right plugins here
http://www.atncentral.com/
Though I rarely use elements these days (NX for 95%) I still think it is a great program for those that do not need the full version, I use 3 btw.
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Gerry,
http://gerryd.smugmug.com/ discount code on homepage
Tats40
Member
I use ToneUp S3 and it says on the tin that it uses the
In-Camera settings... certainly seems to. I've been really happy with all my results, see how you get on. Its only $15 so worth a try!
Tats40
In-Camera settings... certainly seems to. I've been really happy with all my results, see how you get on. Its only $15 so worth a try!
Tats40
Tats40
Member
Ive been around this loop as well. In the end I decided
to invest in ToneUp S3... not looked back since particularly as its only $15 and the author is really helpful with any queries. Its easy
to use and gives good results. Good luck
Tats40
to invest in ToneUp S3... not looked back since particularly as its only $15 and the author is really helpful with any queries. Its easy
to use and gives good results. Good luck
Tats40
Andy Dunn
Senior Member
Photoshop if you can afford it, I speak as a satisfied customer of many years.
A much cheaper but still highly capable alternative is Paint Shop Pro.
There are even freeware packages such as Gimp and Irfanview for varying levels of manipulation. Try one of those for free and see if you need anything extra before you part with your cash.
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http://www.pbase.com/andydunn
A much cheaper but still highly capable alternative is Paint Shop Pro.
There are even freeware packages such as Gimp and Irfanview for varying levels of manipulation. Try one of those for free and see if you need anything extra before you part with your cash.
--
http://www.pbase.com/andydunn
grj2000
Well-known member
Corel Paint Shop Pro X2 (photo editing)
NoisewarePro (noise reduction)
ACDSee9 (viewer)
ViewNX, sometimes, not often.
gil
--
~ To know what one does not know is the beginning of wisdom. ~
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94639969@N00/
NoisewarePro (noise reduction)
ACDSee9 (viewer)
ViewNX, sometimes, not often.
gil
--
~ To know what one does not know is the beginning of wisdom. ~
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94639969@N00/
edmarks
Well-known member
Best I can suggest is to check the trials/freeware and try them all. Everyone has their preferences and what is good for one may not be to the liking of another.
I tried what you are doing and got so many different recommendations/endorsements that I now have about 10 different programs on my computer (of which I consistently use only three for different reasons).
They are ALL good for the person using them! Find the ones that are good for you then delete the others.
Research works! Check out the apps that are mentioned the most then decide if they are within your pricerange and purpose and do what you are looking for.
Also CHECK OUT THE APPS WEBSITE to ensure they do what the posters say they do before buying.
Good luck
--
A journey of a thousand miles begins with dad saying 'I know a shortcut!'
I tried what you are doing and got so many different recommendations/endorsements that I now have about 10 different programs on my computer (of which I consistently use only three for different reasons).
They are ALL good for the person using them! Find the ones that are good for you then delete the others.
Research works! Check out the apps that are mentioned the most then decide if they are within your pricerange and purpose and do what you are looking for.
Also CHECK OUT THE APPS WEBSITE to ensure they do what the posters say they do before buying.
Good luck
--
A journey of a thousand miles begins with dad saying 'I know a shortcut!'
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