Help, please help! I have enrolled on a (very) short OU photography course, which starts in 2 days time.
I am expected to have access to an editting program but I don't know whether to go for Photoshop, Lightroom, Elements or upgrade to Premium on Ribbet.com. I believe as a student I can get a discount on some programs.
I need a program that's intuitive, idiot proof, easy-peasy and quick to get!
I am not an expert on photo programs but when I decided I didn't want to "rent" Photoshop (that is pay a monthly fee for it) I was recommended Smart Photo Editor by another 365er. It has many similar features as PS, LR or Elements, but you only pay for it once and it updates features a lot! However, if you want easy-peasy, then Ribbet is the way to go. That's mho, but there are others on here who probably have better advice than I do!
are you using a free one now? you may want to upgrade that if you are familiar with controls. Lightroom is for what I would call basic editing. works best with raw files. does cropping, exposure adjustments, white balance etc. does very little in the way of cloning and no layer capabilities. that is where photoshop comes in in the adobe family. much fancier but much more difficult to learn. I have the lightroom/photoshop monthly program for photographers. $10 a month. I like it and really do most of my edits in lightroom on normal photos. I use the photoshop end when I need to do any serious cloning etc. they of course are easy to get as they are just a download away! best of luck. enjoy your class!
I agree with both comments above... I use both LR and PS - I have the cloud versions for a monthly fee... I love them both for the strengths Jackie mentions, but have to say that I found neither program particularly intuitive.., so if you need to be ready to roll with a program in two days and you’ve never used either of these programs, you might want to simply upgrade what you already have and know as Ann suggested...
You might want to look into PhotoShop Elements as a low cost alternative to PS. That is depending on how much editing you want to do. I have purchase PSE and can use it when not attached to the Internet, if that makes a difference. Just a thought. I would guess that renting gives you all the upgrades and fixes as they are implemented, rather only having a fixed version of the program. But PSE 6 works just as well on my old laptop and PSE15 works on my desk top, although I can capture images out a video on 6, and is a separate program otherwise.
Hi Jackie I did the OU course last year and used Lightroom, I found it was the best for the tutorials although they do have instruction available using other editing programmes. Some of the tasks require editing software that is free to download but I think you'd find most of the content is easier to follow using Lightroom. I found it quite easy to use and wouldn't be without it now, I think it's worth the monthly fee to get all the updates. I know some other people in my group were new to Lightroom but everyone picked it up quite easily. There's plenty of help available through the course forums too which is really useful if you've got any questions. You can start the course without it and get it if you think it's right for you.
I hope you enjoy the course, I found it really interesting and learnt a lot, just wish I had time to put it all into practise :-)
I learned in Photo Shop Elements which is simpler to use than PS and can still be purchased one time only. But it is not intuitive. I am into digital scrapping and through the tutorials on that site I learned Elements and later PS. Lightroom I learned on You Tube. I have recently been using Topaz Studio (not Topaz Labs) which can be used as either a stand alone or a plug in. The main program is free and than you can purchase adjustments in a group or as you decide you want them. This program like Nik Collection comes with Presets that mean you don't have to start from the beginning. Topaz Studios is so new that you may not find a lot about it but I love it and you can look at my project as recently most everything is process using it. (A new toy - you know how that goes).
Hi Jackie, after using the apps on my cell for years, once I joined 365 I asked the same question. I tried quite a few but ended up with Lightroom which I love. After getting the hang of it, I also got PS Elements which I would never want to miss. Good luck ;-)
You can download FastStone immediately and will just be asked for a one-off voluntary donation. It does all I need in terms of editing/post-processing. Enjoy the course!
Oh! Hazel, Diana, Joan, Christine, JA, Northy, Jackie and Ann
Thank you all so very, very much for your advice, seems there are so many programs out there!! Think I'll continue with Ribbet and i-piccy but also subscribe to Pshop/elements for duration of the course based on experience of @inthecloud5
I wonder if I'll be converted to processing over next few months and stop thinking of it as 'cheating'!!??
Would you call Ansel Adams a cheater. His photos were edited. Editing is taking care of things you can't always do in camera. Giving your photo a polish.
@joansmor who?!! I know!! Most people have your view and my mum 'dodged' photos in darkroom, so we'll see how I progress and proceed over next few months!!
For quick, general editing, I like Picassa. It's free. You just download it onto your computer. I have PS Elements as well that I use for more comprehensive edits, but I wish I had Photoshop or Lightroom.
I look at editing, like I look at laundry. Sometimes you have to wash it, dry it, even iron it. Sometimes it requires special washing or stain remover. Not cheating, just making it look it's best.
I've used PS Elements for well over 10 years. Pretty much any time I upgrade my computer I upgrade Elements. The power vs cost ratio is outstanding (IMHO). I just use the "digital darkroom" aspect though. I do have a few plug-in filters from Topaz for when I'm feeling experimental.
Check out Polarr. Cross platform- works on Mac, Windows, IOS, Android. Easy to use, full set of editing tools but also has presets/filters. RAW support is in beta testing in current version but looks good. Only a one time payment of USD 20,-
I don't like Photoshop (found it too complicated and full of bugs)
I've been using Paintshop Pro (was JASC now owned by Corel) for 20 years and am now on my third one.
I have used lightroom and never learned photoshop. Well I got a new camera and lightroom won't let me down load Raw files. to use the raw files I first have to use canon's stuff that came with the camera. I watched a few videos and people said It was not a very good program. Well after a year I stopped using the raw and shoot Jpig when I think I will take a lot of shots. The canon cloning tool works way better than lightroom and the adjustments to colors is way better in the canon stuff (Digital Photo Professional 4) But lightroom is great for dodging and burning also a great way to save photos so you can find them later. If I use Digital Photo Professional 4 there is not much to do in lightroom but save it.. If I was going to go to school photoshop is what I would want to learn the rest you can teach yourself
@ludwigsdiana@30pics4jackiesdiamond Be sure to let me know what you think. I purchased the Pro adjustment group it was on sale and at a descent price. I am anxious to know what others think.
@joansmor Thanks for mentioning it Joan, I downloaded it and watched some videos on youtube! It seems amazing albeit a bit too expensive for me in Rand! I would like to buy 1 or 2 plugins, just not sure which. Do you have any favourites? ( I do have Lightroom and Elements 6)
@30pics4jackiesdiamond I have just been playing around with Photo Studio and it us awesome! I wish they would have had it earlier, I would not have bought Elements. It seems to offer much more, quicker, easier and better results. I will just have to get 1 or 2 plugins!
@joansmor Is that the special for $217? That is over R3,000 which is a fortune here. They have some plugins at 25% discount which I might go for. So grateful you mentioned it, thanks. (My husband will not be 😉)
@joansmor@ludwigsdiana In the process of downloading TopazStudio will keep you posted on how I get on. Hated Lightroom CC so haven't perserverd with it and cancelled subscription after 3 weeks!! Been advised LR Classic CC is what should have gone for, but will try out your suggestion Joan! How are you getting on with it Diana?
@joansmor I shall, thank you for your advice and support. I think I downloaded CC not ClassicCC because I didn't do enough research and was pushed into CC by the marketting.
@30pics4jackiesdiamond I love it Jackie, atm I am using the trial of detail and clarity, they are awesome. There is a large choice and so much one can achieve. You must watch the videos on you tube to know how to do it all. Great stuff, I rally am enjoying it. Good luck ;-) PS, I also have Lightroom ( classic, not CC) which although it took a long time getting into, I feel quite comfortable with it now
@ludwigsdiana@joansmor Ladies (I am going to ask Google too!) My Topaz Studio appears to be frozen, it takes an age to open, when I move sliders I'm not convinced anything changes and to save (i have to make less pixels for course I'm dong) it just whirs around. have either of you experienced this?? I do miss it a lot (and who ever thought I'd ever type that about an editting program?!)
@30pics4jackiesdiamond Sorry about you issues Jackie, no I have never had any. I would not like to be without it anymore. Hope yours get resolved asap :-)
@30pics4jackiesdiamond No I haven'tI load from LR as I seem to be happier than from PS. BUt today post which I am about to make was done this morning with Topaz Studio and no Problem. I own all the Adjustments. If you downloaded only the free part than the sliders on some of the presets don't work.
@ludwigsdiana@joansmor thank you! Looks like a recent Windows update has scuppered it. Going to delete and reinstall it! I was quite enjoying using it too
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I hope you enjoy the course, I found it really interesting and learnt a lot, just wish I had time to put it all into practise :-)
Oh! Hazel, Diana, Joan, Christine, JA, Northy, Jackie and Ann
Thank you all so very, very much for your advice, seems there are so many programs out there!! Think I'll continue with Ribbet and i-piccy but also subscribe to Pshop/elements for duration of the course based on experience of @inthecloud5
I wonder if I'll be converted to processing over next few months and stop thinking of it as 'cheating'!!??
www.polarr.co
I've been using Paintshop Pro (was JASC now owned by Corel) for 20 years and am now on my third one.
@wildernesswillie makes you hae technology doesn't it!!
@jgpittenger I'll have a look t that one, thank you