I've been scanning the site and cannot find the answer to my basic question.
Where do I start learning about the editing portion of photography? I'm a PC based user (sorry, planning on getting Mac someday) and don't know where to start. Are there books to read that explain how to properly use things like masks and other editing? Are the best softwares out there too much to start learning on or is there a good program that will grow with the user? I'm computer savvy, a quick learner and love to RTFM so I'm not usually intimidated by more complex software if that helps.
I would start by reading the sub-topics to each forum. This is a critique forum, not a post processing one. Try posting this under the appropriate forum and you will get much better results.
See "Post-processing and Printing".
There are several books on each program. I would suggest Photoshop. Why are you sorry you have a PC?
It is hard not to process your pictures particularly once you start using Raw format.
I suggest you buy photoshop elements ~$100 and start there. My normal elements work flow is:
- crop to the size that you like
- adjust levels so that triangles on both sides are close to histogram
- use grey eye dropper in levels if white balance is off
- adjust shadows/highlights (use curves if using the full version of photoshop
- adjust saturation if needed
- sharpen
If the picture still needs help, I would then resort to layers and layer masks which is complicated
The book that I purchased that was quite good was Outdoor Photographer - Landscape and Nature Photography - with Photoshop CS2. Rob Sheperd=author. Wiley=publisher. This is orientated to the full version of photoshop but elements does most of the same. And you can decide whether you want to upgrade.
Understand that without calibrating your monitor you are likely to get strange colors when you post and print.
The same advice is applicable whether you have a mac or pc. I prefer the mac. Iphoto is quite good for organizing your pictures.
j.curtis wrote:
I would start by reading the sub-topics to each forum. This is a critique forum, not a post processing one. Try posting this under the appropriate forum and you will get much better results.
See "Post-processing and Printing".
There are several books on each program. I would suggest Photoshop. Why are you sorry you have a PC?
Thanks, I missed that topic heading. My PC (laptop) is getting old and I don't see myself using Vista for a new laptop, but that's for another thread;-) The MacBooks look real tempting.
Some good advice from Scott, above.
There are hundreds of How-To books for Photoshop. Look for one that is specifically geared for Photographers.
Also a Google search for Photoshop Techniques for Photography might yield some intersting (and free) tips!
good luck and enjoy!
~ Carrol
Are you prepared to buy Photoshop CS3 - which is the best program or will this be too expensive?
If so you could try Photoshop Elements.
There are other choices - but sticking with Adobe is probably the way to go as even if you start with Elements you will probably graduate to the full version eventually.
As far as complexity is concerned I don't think Photoshop is complex - sure you will never know 90% of it - but you only need 10% anyway and it is not hard to pick up. Elements is easier - but you would be doing things in some cases without fully understanding what was happening. Plus you can use actions in the full version which automate processes and the use of layers and masks is easier.
Despite what Scott said above layers and masks are in my view incredibly easy to use - I could show someone how to use them in about 5 minutes. It's only when the instructions are written down that they look complex
There are many books, web sites and also help from forums like this.
I agree with Paul about Photoshop - it is a survivor and industry standard, it there is one...but you will find zealots from many different camps. If you can qualify, the academic version is by far the least expensive entry point.
I found/find myself overwhelmed with Photoshop books I have purchased (Scott Kelby's are probably the most straight forward) - no one of which is a single solution - I cherry pick snippets on various topics from all of them but generally use various articles and tutorials I've discovered on the web as a starting point - but then my wife claims I'm ADD (attention-deficit-disorder) so that might explain taking things in small portions at a time Also, check out several forums, read, and learn - dpreview is quit good and I'm sure there are more than several others
Whatever works for you, dive in - there is always something new to learn and the nice part is you don't have to wait for the prints to come back!
BIG fan of Adobe Lightroom. If you are a student, its only $100 with the education discount. Very easy to use program, lots of flexibility and helps to keep pictures organized.
Eric Gottesman wrote:
I've been scanning the site and cannot find the answer to my basic question.
Where do I start learning about the editing portion of photography? I'm a PC based user (sorry, planning on getting Mac someday) and don't know where to start. Are there books to read that explain how to properly use things like masks and other editing? Are the best softwares out there too much to start learning on or is there a good program that will grow with the user? I'm computer savvy, a quick learner and love to RTFM so I'm not usually intimidated by more complex software if that helps.
One of my favorite books that really covers a lot of what a photographer needs to know is "How to Wow - Photoshop for Photography" by Jack Davis and Ben Willmore.
You can also take classes at a local community college in Photoshop.
The forums here are best after you have some of the basics in hand otherwise you're going to be confused most of the time.
Another book by Katrin Eismann is "The creative Digital Darkroom" is excellent. "Welcome to Oz: A Cinematic Approach to Digital Still Photography with Photoshop" by Vincent Versace is rather advanced but also excellent.
Eric, I forgot to mention, look on Google for Photoshop tutorials. There are free sites that cover everything you need to know. If you don't have Photoshop you can still see what needs to be done, and what similar commands in other programs will do them.
Well, it's almost like a trick question. Your basic question has a basic answer, look at your work. Do you know what you need to do to correct it (visually not technically)? Start there.
2nd step: Look at what you want to do: do you want to spend more time shooting or more time learning post processing?
And, third: If you want to pursue post processing, really, more than photography right now, then the suggestions above are great. I would add to that to look into the group at NAPP (the authors above are instructors) and you can follow the work of the pros while you learn. Also, search online for each of the authors because a lot of recommendations for products and techniques flow through their fingertips and out to their websites.
Whether you use a Mac or a PC does not matter unless you're planning to work for one company or the other. Customers/clients do not usually purchase work based on what platform you use. What matters is what you're comfortable with as a user and how well you know how to use what you have. As it pertains to the basic question, both systems crash while you're processing images, so saving work often is highly recommended. As is patience and good coping skills.
