Which "Basic" Post-Processing Software to Buy?

[Disles1]

First, I'll need to upgrade my computer to run (advanced) post-processing software but have been reading about Nikon's CaptureNX and Lightroom to determine which would meet my needs.

Second, I can't afford - and would never use - a full-figured program such as PhotoShop but I'd like to be able to experiment with "some" relatively minor changes to RAW files. I would be using the software only for my own enjoyment.

I'm using a Nikon P7700 camera now, which creates NRW files and I'm more comfortable with Windows-based systems.

Which software would you recommend, for me?

[Manfred M]

Trying looking at either Adobe Photoshop Lightroom or Adobe Photoshop Elements. Elements is aimed at the amateur shooter and is actually a lot more powerful than Lightroom. Elements is a bit cheaper too.

[Shadowman]

I'd recommend downloading a 30 day trial and seeing for yourself which one works for you. Of course, this may take a few months to complete your researach as I would advise against downloading more than two at a time. If you really want to see the benefits of a program, look for online tutorials or dedicated books and just immerse yourself in the joys of editing. I already own Photoshop Elements and have a copy of LightRoom which I work with occasionally. Also, there are quite a few free programs such as Gimp and FastStone to consider.

[chrisletts]

See other threads re the demise of NX2 support - I wouldn't recommend anyone to buy NX2 at this stage, and its 'replacement' NX-D seems to be rubbish (and I'm a hardened NX2 user).

[Disles1]

Trying looking at either Adobe Photoshop Lightroom or Adobe Photoshop Elements. Elements is aimed at the amateur shooter and is actually a lot more powerful than Lightroom. Elements is a bit cheaper too.

Manfred, I've used an older version of Elements and wonder whether Lightroom is focused more on, for example, editing RAW files, while Elements is for cleaning up and adjusting almost-finished photographs?

[NorthernFocus]

For really basic PP like WB correction, lighting tweaks, overall sharpening, and cropping, the free Nikon software, ViewNX2, is excellent. If you want to add the ability to clone out things, merge multiple shots into panoramas, use layers, selective sharpening, etc, and can live with doing so in 8bit files, then Photoshop Elements gets you there. You can usually find free/really cheap copies of PSE if you can live with one or two versions old. Until recently I was doing just fine with the ViewNX2/PSE combination. I only recently began using LR for the cataloging function and for the ability to work with 16bit files.

[rpcrowe]

Photoshop elements is quite a powerful program at a really low price. I have seen this program as low as $50 U.S. Dollars on sale. However, the 8-bit capability might be somewhat restrictive at times. I have worked with PSE and the interface often drove me crazy. That was probably due to operator error but, I was never happy editing in PSE...

Another thought; a bit more expensive but possibly more capable editing system might be; Lightroom 5 + the OnOne Perfect Image Suite 8, Plug-In. If I didn't have Photoshop CS6 (along with a couple of plug-ins, including the Perfect Photo Suite 8), I would seriously consider this combination for my photo editing. The Perfect Photo Suite modules gives you some capabilities (such as working with layers) that Lightroom cannot offer...

The Perfect Photo Suite 8 gives you some additional capabilities that are difficult to emulate, even in Photoshop (unless you are quite a Photoshop Guru). There are many interesting and user friendly modules in PPS-8 such as Perfect Layers, Perfect Portrait, Perfect Effects, Perfect Enhance and one of my favorites: Perfect Resize (which was once known as Genuine Fractals).

OTOH, a lot of good work has been done with some of the free editing programs; such as GIMP or Picasa...

[NorthernFocus]

Manfred, I've used an older version of Elements and wonder whether Lightroom is focused more on, for example, editing RAW files, while Elements is for cleaning up and adjusting almost-finished photographs?

Adobe Camera Raw(ACR) is imbedded in PSE and allows you to edit RAW files too. PSE has most of the functions of Photoshop but only works on 8bit files. Unless you are REALLY making major lighting/color changes, 8bit files are just fine. Occasionlally if you're doing some heavy processing with 8bit files you can cause banding in the sky, sunsets, etc.

[Geoff F]

Ken, If you are looking at 'basic' editing with Raw files have a look at Raw Therapee which is free, but accepts donations, and is quite effective.

I used it before getting software with ACR and would certainly use it again if I was in your position.

[Manfred M]

Manfred, I've used an older version of Elements and wonder whether Lightroom is focused more on, for example, editing RAW files, while Elements is for cleaning up and adjusting almost-finished photographs?

Lightroom is a parametric editor, so everything has to be described as parameters in an equation to work, so global adjustments are easy and efficient, but more detailed edits are quite limited. Elements, on the other hand is a pixel based editor that supports layers, so it does allow for very specific editing, down to the pixel level.

Bottom line is that your own editing needs would really drive the direction you go in. As an example, if you want to replace the sky in an image, Elements could be used, but Lightroom (short of trying to apply a fairly basic gradiant), could not. I personally do almost all my work in Photoshop; I find both Lightroom and Elements too limited,.

[JR1]

No contest, paintshop pro 7, jasc software.

I have been using it on every windows pc and laptop for 18 years, and am now using it on 8.2, yes I have Photoshop but for my day to day business, yes business, nothing is faster for me.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jasc-Paint...item2335680ed2

No longer available so you can get it much less.

In fact the company no longer exist bought by Corel

Do not under estimate the power of this software

[davidedric]

It really does depend on what you want to do. Here is a view of Lightroom.

I am a "low volume" amateur, and I shoot in RAW. I don't want or need the capabilities that PSE (which I do have) offers. When I want more local pixel based editing I use the Nik plug-ins. I do not claim that this gives everything that PS/PSE offers, just that it gives me what I need.

So what do I get with Lightroom ?

A very straightforward learning curve. In my opinion, way easier than PSE, with a very rich set of facilities available to grow into.

"Workflow ". When I started out I didn't understand why I needed this. Lightroom gives you catalogue management, editing, publish and print capabilities. All in one integrated package.

These, coupled with parametric non-destructive editing make it for me.

Certainly agree with the month's free trial, though I think I would do them one at a time.

Dave

[Disles1]

Thank you, everyone, for the wonderful explanations and comments. I've a MUCH clearer understanding of the various options.

[ajohnw]

I'm surprised no one has suggested NX2 maybe adding PSE later. NX2 seems to be a pretty comprehensive whole image processing package. ViewNX2 IS BASIC and that is free with the camera. I've seen comments that it would be nice if Nikon would tie up more with Adobe. From my recent experiences that may well be down to the fact that the only way to get the camera profile for raw files that Nikon intend is to use a version of NX.

In terms of PSE if this just adds local retouching then the GIMP would suffice and add a lot more to grow into.

I should add I have recently used all of Adobe's D7000 profiles. I detect a certain lack of subtly in them so much so that as I have an unused full version of win7 64b pro available I'm tempted to run it in a vm. Going on views I can produce via ViewNX2 the differences can be rather marked. The OP may not understand this - I am a 100% Linux user so ViewNX2 just can't run as it should. Nikon software generates specific individual camera profiles for every single shot. Some people try to use these in other post processing packages but the results can be very mixed and even nigh on impossible to correct. The Adobe profiles atempt to simulate them but seem to lack the variability the the Nikon ones throw in.

John
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[Richard Lundberg]

On Windows, PaintShop Pro X6. Cheap and powerful.

[Geoff F]

For many years I used Serif Photo Plus but I couldn't get on too well with version X4 so changed loyalty then. Apparently the newer programmes are more like the previous versions.

Some of the older versions like X2 or X3 worked well and will be available at a good discount now. But I never liked the Raw converters on those programmes so I did my basic editing and conversion with Raw Therapee.

When I purchased another camera recently it came with a Silkypics converter which was reasonably good, but I didn't want to mess about with two different bits of software so I now convert those Raw files to DNG format then edit in ACR.

[Stagecoach]

Ken,

I'll advise PS Elements as the way to go not just because it's my main program but due to the fact that it's the smaller brother of the most common used 'expensive' option. This is a great advantage when learning as so much of the talk and information floating around is applicable to both systems.

Grahame

[Masq]

I'm surprised that no one said about Darktable (link) - totally free Lightroom's analogue. I suggest you to try it and define whether you need an upgrade (Lightroom or Photoshop) or not.
Again, if you need free Photoshop - use GIMP (link), PS analogue.
As for the slideshows - i'm using Smartshow 3D (link), though it's not free, but comes with free trial.
If you look close enough - you can find free analogues for the most of the softwares
Best regards

[THaNaToZ]

At the risk of hijacking the OP...What's a good option for a trial run for processing HDR images?

[ajohnw]

Not totally sure but I believe a gui for enfuse is available for windows. I think Hugin can do HDR as well.

One other free PP package is Rawtherapee but do read the manual regarding it's use and camera profiles. Along with the GIMP it makes a pretty powerful package. I wouldn't call these basic though.

John