WPF - World Photography Forum
Home Gallery Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Welcome to World Photography Forum!
Welcome!

Thank you for finding your way to World Photography Forum, a dedicated community for photographers and enthusiasts. There's a variety of forums, a wonderful gallery, and what's more, we are absolutely FREE. You are very welcome to join, take part in the discussion, and post your pictures!

Click here to go to the forums home page and find out more.
Click here to join.


Go Back   World Photography Forum > Photography Technique > The Digital Darkroom


The Digital Darkroom The In-Computer editing forum.

alternatives to CS3

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 20-01-08, 16:41
Chris
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default alternatives to CS3

When I joined the forum the conventional wisdom seemed to be that 'you are going to end up needing to use Photoshop, so might as well start now'.

I admit I have not got/used CS3, don't even think my computer would run it and anyway would rather put the cash to a new computer first. Did use PSE4 (cheapo CS2) for a while with FZ7 and later following DPP with CR2 from 350D as a host for FocusMagic and NeatImage and with curves plug-in.

Instinct led me to getting a Nikon (D80) and Nikon Capture NX and I find the combination superb and meeting 99% of my needs. (They do not include HDR, artificising). NX costs about £100 & free 30 day Trial (tho can be cheaper on e-bay, but do only buy correct regional version - see NX thread).

Most of the NX tools work on .jpg or .tif files and likewise if you need the other 1% it transfers elsewhere as .tif. They also work on whole or only part of the image and in combination using 'steps' which I find much easier to manage than 'layers'. For example you can convert to B&W with a blue filter on near-blown parts of an image and orange on the rest.

Resulting saved files can be in .NEF format which includes all the 'steps' open for re-edits using a minute fraction of memory required for .psd.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20-01-08, 16:57
Rudra Sen Rudra Sen is offline  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bangalore, India
Posts: 2,632
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris View Post
don't even think my computer would run it and anyway would rather put the cash to a new computer first.
Why do you say that Chris?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20-01-08, 18:53
jamieZ740's Avatar
jamieZ740 jamieZ740 is offline  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Barrow-in-Furness - UK
Age: 37
Posts: 1,296
Default

CS3 has higher minimum requirments than previous adobe programs. as does NX.
__________________
2 cameras, 5 lenses, 3 flashes, some filters. No clue.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20-01-08, 20:35
Chris
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rudra Sen View Post
Why do you say that Chris?
Have just checked, it probably would if I bought OS 10.4, but am not going to do that (a) because even 10.3 was a move too far, but has some trade-off benefits (b) when I absolutely must I will skip to 10.5 saving another £85

NX 1.3.1 seems OK on 10.3.9 now I have the correct version and there is a free patch for 10.5
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 20-01-08, 22:17
gordon g gordon g is offline  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Barnsley
Posts: 2,766
Default

Lightroom does most things I need to do to my images. It will crop, correct colour, correct exposure, sharpen, remove dust (although I still find this last to be easier with PS7 - just a matter of practice I expect), convert to BW, and also acts as a catalogue and database for my images.
My PS use has decreased hugely since I started with LR.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 20-01-08, 23:17
greenbunion greenbunion is offline
member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 0
Default

But Lightroom can't be selective. You have to work on the whole image. How do you burn in the sky or dodge the shadows without a proper editing package.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 21-01-08, 00:27
Gidders's Avatar
Gidders Gidders is offline  
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 2,795
Default

I use Lightroom, and am a fan but it is primarily a database/cataloguing tool. As Greenbunion says it cant be selective - that's where Photoshop comec in - CS2 in may case.

Now I don't know how flexible NX is, and whether is has the capability to make selections based on channel information, selectively blur (to soften skin tones) & sharpen (to empahsise eyes etc) which I use a lot in post processing my portraits...so for example would you have been able to get from this Vic_02060367-Edit copy.jpg
the RAW file for my shot of Victoria in this months comp with exposure adjustments etc...


to the end result that I posted in my gallery Vic.jpg
__________________
Clive
http://www.alteredimages.uk.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 21-01-08, 10:08
Chris
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I could just say 'yes' Clive, but I think that starting with a Canon and studio lighting and your professional level experience on portraiture, it would be over-doing things. Also you only need to pay for an upgrade and see what is new.

For what most of us encounter, ie trying to convert outdoor/location mug-shots to as near-portrait standard as we can achieve, NX has an additional goodie in the the 'U-point' technology that allows, typically, deep shading on parts of the face to be corrected very quickly and only where needed. Eye sharpening and pimple removing (only on men of course) are also quite easy.

I have done a bit in the NX thread on applying totally different treatments to one part of pic from another (to supplement Nikon tutorial).

If you care to e-mail me original CR2 of Victoria, I would love a play and to give her hair a shampoo to soften it a bit, otherwise a beautiful portrait.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 21-01-08, 10:19
Chris
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gidders View Post
I use Lightroom, and am a fan but it is primarily a database/cataloguing tool. As Greenbunion says it cant be selective
I should make it clear that I do not rate NX for data-base/cataloguing. Being a mac user, I use GraphicConverter for that, about £50 I think. It slip-streams the mac finder database and has one or two other gems like its 'unskew' & 'local contrast enhancement' (can be done in CS, see cambridgeincolour tutorials) to restore clarity of complex reduced images and no-fuss slideshow for all or part of a folder.

For PCs you need one of the many other progs recommended in the forum & no idea how Lightroom compares.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 21-01-08, 10:26
gordon g gordon g is offline  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Barnsley
Posts: 2,766
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by greenbunion View Post
But Lightroom can't be selective. You have to work on the whole image. How do you burn in the sky or dodge the shadows without a proper editing package.
Yes - I agree, there are some things PS is needed for, particularly anything using layers as you suggest. It's just that I dont often need to do that.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:58.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.