Photo Editing Software Recommendations?
polycounter lvl 10
I realize this would probably be a better question asked on a photo forum, but there's enough photographers here to answer this :P
Anyway, I have Photoshop CS4 (had to upgrade from CS3 because CS3 doesn't like Sony's RAW Format), but I was wondering if this is the best photo editing software? I see people recommending Lightroom a lot, but it only looks like it adds some better organizational options? Is there something out there that you use? I don't hate Photoshop in any way, it does what I need it too, this is more of a curiosity question
Anyway, I have Photoshop CS4 (had to upgrade from CS3 because CS3 doesn't like Sony's RAW Format), but I was wondering if this is the best photo editing software? I see people recommending Lightroom a lot, but it only looks like it adds some better organizational options? Is there something out there that you use? I don't hate Photoshop in any way, it does what I need it too, this is more of a curiosity question
Replies
Lightroom is an easier to use raw format editing soft if im not mistaken.
Not shure about that tho.
I've been using bridge for sorting/etc, and Canon Digital Photo Pro for most of my RAW work, as it seems to actually be able to save 16b/channel TIFF files. Adobe photo raw has some cool options for B&W conversion that DPP doesnt tho, so i use it for that a bit.
That's how I felt from the trial too. I freakin' hate when I accidentally hit 'Browse' instead of 'Open' in PS and Bridge decides to open. Bridge is a slow monster...
Anyway, thanks for the replies everyone. Looks like Photoshop will work best for me. Sony's software that comes with the camera is a joke!
http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/index.php
Looks like a good program, but doesn't seem to open .ARW files (DAMN YOU SONY AND YOU'RE STUPID FILES!). I'll see how it works with JPG's though. Thanks for the link!
Lightroom for manipulating RAW files (it's a really nice editor with a good UI)
Photoshop for final tweaks/generic photoshopping
If I'm going to spend time with a single photo though, I'll still use photoshop lol
http://picasa.google.ca/
Linky:
http://www.dxo.com/intl/photo
There is a trial too! wuhuu.
Edit: im using a Sony A350 and it works great.
The latest CS3 Raw Plug-in doesn't support the .ARW from the A230, so I had to get the CS4 Trial.
@Jordan, I had a lightroom trial, it was my lack of RAW shots that kept me from testing haha. I took some last night and it's a little better than PS's tools.
@frubes, I'll have to check that out too. Thanks for the link. Good to see I'm not the only one here using a Sony