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What software do you prefer?

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Gentoo

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When post processing, which software do you prefer to use and why?

I used to use Photoshop all the time. However, when I started shooting in RAW, I needed to use Capture NX even though I hated how much of a RAM and CPU hog it was. However as I used it more and more, I noticed that it was easier for me to get the look I wanted to get using Capture in less time. After sharpening, the noise reduction seems to keep more of the detail while at the same time, give my photos a smooth soft look to the light that could take forever trying to achieve in PS. I even went back and started re-editing older photos using capture because I like the look it gives to the images. I now use Capture NX exclusively for post processing. This is backwards from most people I know. Most other people I know do not like Capture NX and say it's harder to use. I personally find it easier to use.

Thoughts?

Posted 4 years ago #
davidtoc

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I use Lightroom on all of my photos to review, cull, and apply initial processing and metadata. Photoshop for additional changes to specific photos as needed.

I used to use Bridge and ACR, but Lightroom has replaced both of those for me. Photoshop, on the other hand, is irreplaceable.

Posted 4 years ago #
tai

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I use a combination of Aperture/iPhoto for organization, and Pixelmator for PP. I use Photoshop on occasion, still, but the UI just bugs the hell out of me, especially since the keyboard shortcuts don't work properly with the Dvorak - Qwerty command keyboard layout.

Posted 4 years ago #
Willis

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I've started to use Aperture \ Pixelmator and that works pretty well. I'm still very new to Pixelmator (and for that matter all layer based editors), but it seems to be very cool.

Posted 4 years ago #
AcquaCow

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Used ARC for the longest time, then figured out CaptureNX, now I have discovered that Lightroom is absolutely amazing to work in and don't touch anything else =)

Posted 4 years ago #
adamz

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Since I've started shooting NEF I use Aperture, was trying Lightroom but Aperture suits my needs better (gives me more freedom to work). Will need to check CaptureNX, as I read that it works better with NEF files - better results. 2

Posted 4 years ago #
AcquaCow

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LR really saved me a lot of time again last night...

Was shooting an indoor roller hockey game that started at 11:45PM, under the few fluorescent lights they had in there. And by few, I mean f/1.8 @ 1/160th iso1600 to get "ok" exposure.

1/8 was a tad too narrow field, so I pushed to 2.8 and just underexposed everything. Adjusted one image in LR, copied the settings and pasted to all 208 other shots in the series and I was done.
Took me ~2 mins to fix them all =)

I know that you can do that with NX, but you definitely cannot with ACR...

-- Dave

Posted 4 years ago #
nau

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Photoshop CS3

LR is good enf but CS just gives you some functionality that not available for extra kicks whn you need it

Posted 4 years ago #
NSXType-R

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None, I don't know how to use any of them, and I don't know where to start. I do have Photoshop though, but I am overwhelmed.

Posted 4 years ago #
monty11

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NSXType-R, find a local PS course or get a Martin Evening book (according to your PS version) from Focal Press and start learning.

Posted 4 years ago #
AcquaCow

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Photoshop CS3

LR is good enf but CS just gives you some functionality that not available for extra kicks whn you need it

Kicks?

What specifics do you need that you specifically cite Photoshop over CNX or LR?

-- Dave

Posted 4 years ago #
nau

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AcquaCow: well ok I was actually thinking about it... the only thing I can come up with, Photoshop been using since version 4 (not CS4 just 4) so Im pretty good at it (know where things are etc) LR everything is a bit different
CNX really didnt like interface but I never got around to try to use it

Posted 4 years ago #
AcquaCow

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Ahh, I was on the beta team for PS 4, 5, 6, and 7 =)

The thing is, LR offers you a lot more adjustments particular to image development that PS does not have.

ACR itself (at least in PS-CS3) only had a handful of options and very few features that made working on large batches of photos efficient. You could do some of it by logically grouping your photos and using automation scripts in PS, but LR has an excellent and well-laid-out set of menus that work very well to establish a great workflow when developing and tweaking large batches of digital imagery QUICKLY.

If you haven't already, download the latest beta and actually use it for the full 30 days and get comfortable with it. Most everything is top down. You load stuff into the Library, then move over to the Development tab, then once in the development tab, you work top-down through the adjustment sliders as necessary. You may never have to leave the first "Basic" grouping (Exposure/shadows/brightness/contrast), but if you had to move farther, the next group of sliders you would probably need is directly beneath it...except for the Detail and Vignettes groupings...I really think those should have been moved up higher in the rankings. I can probably change that, but haven't bothered to try yet. I have turned the Camera calibration group off though and turned on "solo mode" (right click).

-- Dave

Posted 4 years ago #
nau

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AcquaCow thx for all the info... I might give it another go whn I have a bit of a free time in my hands :)

Posted 4 years ago #
RobertD

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ACDSee Pro for viewing and sorting...and the occasional simple post processing - Photoshop CS2 for more serious editing and Photomatix Pro 3.

Posted 4 years ago #
davidtoc

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Oh. And Expression Media for overall organizing, although I add keywords from within lightroom because it's easier when working on batches.

Posted 4 years ago #
nikonusersince1982

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Capture NX2 definitely renders Nikon Raw way better than Adobe's Raw. For this reason, I use Nikon Capture NX2 for adjustments, and export raw to tiff files so that I can import them into Adobe LR for much better workflow. This way I end up having best of both worlds.

Posted 4 years ago #
Crepusculum

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For those of you that use LR. Do you just work off the NEF files or do you convert them to DNG files first? I tried to work directly with the NEF files, yet they appeared worse to start off with then DNG files. So now I convert to DNG and embed the original NEF so I can withdraw it later, but that uses much more memory.

Posted 4 years ago #
JimCouch

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Another Capture NX user here. I find it easier to get good results with NX than most of the other software I have used. It would be nice to have it run a bit faster. When I replace the aging desktop that problem should be resolved.

Jim Couch

Posted 4 years ago #
SeanN

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My personal preference for programmes are DNG Converter, Lightroom and Photoshop, and that is both on my 'field' laptop and my desktop bus.

The reason for this, is not down to being an Adobe FanBoy (far from it, I think they are the second biggest cash monster after Micros**t), but to maintain a coherent workflow from the variety of cameras that I use, and get lumped with using.
Also, it helps as well, because at times the agencies or client request the original RAW files as well, and if they had to source the proprietary software for each type of RAW, then it would make the job a lot less cost effective both on their point and ultimately mine.

Posted 4 years ago #
davidtoc

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Crepusculum, my workflow varies slightly, but I generally import the NEF files into Lightroom, delete the ones I don't want, tweak the remaining photos and convert them to DNG from within LR. I haven't noticed a difference in quality between the NEFs and DNGs. Personally I don't embed the NEF file because I don't want to use the extra drive space. I considered doing so early on, but I've never had an issue not being able to get what I want directly from the DNG.

Posted 4 years ago #
dormant

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This is very timely for me.

Up till now I have been doing all my photos in Linux. I use some self-written scripts to manage the filenames and EXIF tags and then The Gimp for image adjustments.

Although I like this approach, it has become very time consuming. I am therefore considering switching to a Mac. I would be happy to carry on with The Gimp on a Mac, but want some other software to speed up my workflow.

I tried the test version of Aperture, but was not at all impressed, especially as it destroyed a couple of EXIF tags I used.

Any suggestions for good workflow software are welcomed.

Posted 4 years ago #
adamz

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dormant, it all depends on how many pictures You are shooting. If it's not on a pro level try iPhoto, as the cataloging feature works quite good, and with the new iPhoto You get a lot of nice gadgets like geotaging and faces (read more on apple.com). as for Your experience with Aperture, please write some more about the problems You've encountered, as I'm using aperture for some time now and never face any problems with it, and since You can use plug-ins the work flow became really pleasant and rather fast.
Basically, my work flow is as follow:
- copy all the images from CF to external HDD in a custom folders (named after the event)
- import all of the images to aperture (with the option to store the files in their current locations)
- browse through the imported images and mark the ones I don't like
- erase the unwanted images
- play with rest and either publish or print
As I'm quite strict to the "old" school, I rather unwillingly use PS, although sometimes there's no other way.
One more things to add, I work only on NEF - and the work flow is decent on my box, which is an old MBP 15.4/2.4Ghz/4GB ram/250HDD 7200rpm + external storage connected either by USB or FW800.

Posted 4 years ago #
heartyfisher

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Irfranview to view and browse my pictures. For PP I use Paintshop pro X2. But recently I have been using The Gimp. Getting quite comfortable with the Gimp.

Posted 4 years ago #
blackwellj

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Lightroom and photoshop every time. But I could almost only use lightroom

Posted 4 years ago #