I alway shoot in jpeg but I am picking up a vibe that raw files maybe a better option and will allow me to gain more control over my shots. I hope to start experimenting with this over the next few months. I currently have no processing software apart fom what is offered through iphoto, which until now has been fantastic.
A few months ago I downloaded Aperture thinking that I would be getting a superior suite to iphoto and was bitterly disappointed, but kudos to Apple they refunded the money overnight. I don't want to make the same mistake again. I have read the reviews comparing the products but to the laymen they seem a bit too technical. I would appreciate any advice on which way I should go.
To add to my previous comment: I've used Lightroom, Aperture, and Photoshop. Never used Elements.
I found Lightroom and Aperture almost identical in capabilities when it came to color correction, sharpening, fixing chromatic aberration, and general touch ups. However, Lightroom offered lens distortion correction, which I don't think was available in Aperture.
Their work flows were a little different, but that ultimately boils down to how the user works, and which flow better suits their process.
Ultimately, I stuck with Photoshop because it accomplishes all of the above, plus image manipulation.
What exactly are you looking to accomplish with the software? All of the above are capable of working with RAW files, but if you're expecting wild, image-altering results, perhaps you're misunderstanding what exactly a RAW file is, and what its attributes offer to the post process.
@gurry Aperture just took so long in loading everything. This was discussed in a lot of the reviews and being such a mac fan I ignored them all believing that the Apple wouldn't release such an inferior product. I'm not suggesting it couldn't do the job but everything was so slow and you couldn't get things completed quickly. As I said I contacted Apple and they quickly refunded the purchase price of it.
I'm not expecting any major by working with RAW files but merely wanting to develop more skills in digital photography. The same with the processing software I am again looking at developing my skills. I see the finished product of some people and what they achieve is fantastic. I know full well it still is based on the foundation of a good shot out of the camera in the first instance. To achieve some of the processing that you have achieved inspires me to learn but I want to ensure I am getting a package that will allow me the flexibility and freedom to experiment.
I would get 30 day trials of each one to help you decide. You might also try to find a book about the software at your library, during your trial to help you play around with all of the options. Test drives are so important when finding your perfect fit software. :-)
I personally love Aperture, and they recently fixed some quirks with it and it is working better. Also, when shooting in RAW there is more that can be done with Aperture than when you use jpg. I am hoping to get Photoshop Elements this winter so I can do some play editing that Aperture doesn't allow. Good luck on your search.
I started out with iPhoto but the more i did with my photography, the more I discovered its limitations. Then I bought Lightroom and absolutely love it. That is the program I use most often. BUT I also use Photoshop Elements. I started with Elements 6 ( it came with my printer) but have tried out the new Elements 10 and ordered it just yesterday. I will probably still use Lightroom most often, but only because there is so much I don't know how to do in Elements. I did buy an app for my iPad on how to use Elements and am finding it very helpful. A couple of weeks ago I posted a discussion with a link where you can get a trial version of Elements 10 from Adobe. I suggest you try out the trial periods for both Lightroom and Elements. I believe you can get trial versions for both programs from that same website.
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I found Lightroom and Aperture almost identical in capabilities when it came to color correction, sharpening, fixing chromatic aberration, and general touch ups. However, Lightroom offered lens distortion correction, which I don't think was available in Aperture.
Their work flows were a little different, but that ultimately boils down to how the user works, and which flow better suits their process.
Ultimately, I stuck with Photoshop because it accomplishes all of the above, plus image manipulation.
What exactly are you looking to accomplish with the software? All of the above are capable of working with RAW files, but if you're expecting wild, image-altering results, perhaps you're misunderstanding what exactly a RAW file is, and what its attributes offer to the post process.
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I'm not expecting any major by working with RAW files but merely wanting to develop more skills in digital photography. The same with the processing software I am again looking at developing my skills. I see the finished product of some people and what they achieve is fantastic. I know full well it still is based on the foundation of a good shot out of the camera in the first instance. To achieve some of the processing that you have achieved inspires me to learn but I want to ensure I am getting a package that will allow me the flexibility and freedom to experiment.
I personally love Aperture, and they recently fixed some quirks with it and it is working better. Also, when shooting in RAW there is more that can be done with Aperture than when you use jpg. I am hoping to get Photoshop Elements this winter so I can do some play editing that Aperture doesn't allow. Good luck on your search.