Subtle changes to colours and tones can often make or break an image

Transcription

1 Steven Murphy ~ October 2017

2 Subtle changes to colours and tones can often make or break an image Image editing software can help with boosting saturation, increasing contrast and even cloning out unwanted details ~ and that s just for starters! Many programs also offer library management features

3 Firstly some excellent software can be found for free! They can offer many basic image editing tools and can be a good choice for starters Ultimately however freeware will have limitations when compared to proprietary branded software

4 1. Software that came with your digital camera ~ some can be quite capable affairs 2. Computer packaged photo editors such as Apple Photos or Microsoft Photos 3. Freeware such as:- Paint.NET ~ a decent but simple photo editor that includes layers, filters and special effects GIMP ~ includes good set of colour correction tools plus support for layers and blending modes and masks. Interface perhaps a little clunky in places Pixlr ~ web based editor that offers a surprising amount of features considering it s free

5 These can offer:- a far wider range of editing tools ability to edit in layers ability to edit down to pixel level ability to process and making best use of RAW files ability to make non-destructive edits a greater range of preset filters ability to manage your library in one place

6 3 from Adobe:- Lightroom 6 Photoshop Elements 15 Adobe Creative Cloud Others by:- Cyberlink Serif Landscape Pro Photomatix

7 Combined image management and photo editing workflow software Lightroom offers:- efficient file handling of your photos built in RAW processing Brilliant tools for perfecting exposure, colour, saturation and clarity (plus many others) printing, geotagging and web sharing tools a user friendly interface non-destructive editing seamless integration with Photoshop Elements if required Cost = 110

8 Photo editor aimed at amateur photographers. Originally the junior version of Photoshop, but now nearly as capable Photoshop Elements offers:- complex processing of images that may involve masks and layers pixel-level manipulation a dizzying array of filters, brushes, and other tools that allow you to perform all manner of edits and changes to your images guided edits Cost = 70

9 Lightroom and Photoshop Elements share many similarities, but they are also quite different:- 1. Lightroom effectively manages your library plus offers everything to make quick and easy adjustments to your photos. Its processes are generally more intuitive and speedy. It however lacks very detailed editing tools 2. Photoshop Elements offers the ability to transform photos by way of advanced editing tools down to pixel level manipulation. Editing process is not so intuitive The 2 products actually best work side by side rather than being alternatives ~ think of them more as cousins! vs

10 Should you buy Lightroom or Photoshop Elements first? If starting out today personally I would kick off with Lightroom (says the man who went for Photoshop!) Many others choose this as well...

11 Adobe's most advanced photo-editing offering, which includes the full Photoshop programme plus Lightroom Hands down, probably the best photo-editing software on the market plus your software is always be up to date Appeals to graphic designers, pro-photographers plus serious amateurs Adobe CC is full fat, thus can require some training to fully master it Cost = per month (private individual)

12 Cyberlink PhotoDirector 8 Ultra PhotoDirector 8 is like a third-party homage to Lightroom, but with some twists of its own Cost = 60 Serif Affinity Photo 1.5 Probably the best editor for ambitious users on a budget Cost = 50

13 Landscape Pro 2 Standard Designed for landscape photographers Mixes the best of presets with specific edits, but without the complexity or price of Photoshop. Cost = 30 Photomatix Essentials Photomatix is widely regarded as the best when it comes to HDR software Essentials provides an easy-to-use introduction to HDR Cost = 30

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