Is there anyone out there who doesn't use Adobe Photoshop besides me? I use Adobe PhotoDeluxe3 home version which i downloaded 2+ years ago when i borrowed my sister's kodak, but it isn't PS ...at least it's not the same as the free trial PS i used 3 years ago and, it's quite possible i'm not using PD3 to it's full potential. The other program i use is a free download. I'm just wondering if there isn't some sort of advantage for photographers who have PS when their photos "compete" with photos that weren't edited in PS...comments/opinions/thoughts???
I think there is a distinct advantage... I don't use Photoshop either but I am using Photoshop Elements, which is a sort of Photoshop 'lite'. Elements, however, does have just about all of the capabilities that I like.
The advantages offered by the higher end pixel pushing applications include some very powerful color correction and manipulation tools that aren't offered in software such as PhotoDeluxe. You will see people here commenting on 'curves'. These 'curves' are color adjustments within a specific color tone.
You are not 'disadvantaged' significantly by not having these tools, but I think you will find that you can really enhance your photos quite a bit by using some of them.
Photoshop Elements is quite nice and it's less than $100 as opposed to the $600+ pricetag on Photoshop.
Well, I use The Gimp, either the Linux or windows version. For anyone who doesn't know, it's a great free software application, under the GNU Public Licence. It's good enough to come close to the standard of packages like Photoshop, although it has its quirks and drawbacks. Bless Richard Stallman's little heart :)
Supposedly, given the limited editing we're allowed to do, all of the popular packages out there should be adequate. Definitely make sure you're getting to most from your existing package before contemplating new purchases.:)
For a long time I only used Ulead's PhotoImpact. Its a great app with some excellent functionality. But when it comes to color balance and changing lighting it doesn't compare to PhotoShop. I haven't used Curves much as I don't really understand it but Levels is probably one of the greatest tools in photoshop.
I have who used to only use Paint Shop Pro but now that he's learning Photoshop he's starting to switch.
Are you disadvantaged? Well maybe a little but you can offset that by being more careful with your lighting in your pictures because the only thing I use photoshop for (on my submissions that is) besides cropping and resizing is to adjust the lighting and contrast.
I really don't like to 'create' the lighting in photoshop. i think that's something that should be there before the fact. you can't even begin to simulate the complex 3d behavior of light with a 2d image editor, unless you take the airbrush tool and actually DRAW it in, or use the dodge tool.
Are you disadvantaged? Well maybe a little but you can offset that by being more careful with your lighting in your pictures because the only thing I use photoshop for (on my submissions that is) besides cropping and resizing is to adjust the lighting and contrast.
I have been experimenting with diffrent ways to diffuse light since my advertisement photo. Read Joe's How To and look at the contraption he uses. I am using a similar technique with UV Ultra II paper. It can be picked up at many print shops in various sizes from 8.5x11 all the way up to 23x35 inches. UV Ultra II is a very sturdy, synthetic translucent paper that will hold up in outdoor conditions.
* This message has been edited by the author on 5/14/2002 10:40:17 AM.
oh p**p i completely forgot about toilet paper! here i am trying to use paper towels...sheesh
Originally posted by GordonMcGregor: Originally posted by jmsetzler: [i]toilet paper and kleenex are the true 'ghetto' studio methods of diffusing light :)
That's what I use. Mainly because they are the materials closest to hand in my 'studio' :)[/i]
For a long time I only used Ulead's PhotoImpact. Its a great app with some excellent functionality. But when it comes to color balance and changing lighting it doesn't compare to PhotoShop. I haven't used Curves much as I don't really understand it but Levels is probably one of the greatest tools in photoshop.
Originally posted by jmsetzler: toilet paper and kleenex are the true 'ghetto' studio methods of diffusing light :)
Do these start burning when on a 40 or 60 watt desk lamp? I kept worrying about this when I was using tissue paper, and I ended up removing the paper to let it cool off between shots.
I may have an unnatural fear of this, though, because of a childhood incident :-)
i had originally taped a single ply papertowel to the shield but was afraid of overheating also, so i just held it in front of the light and used the timer to take the pic
Do these start burning when on a 40 or 60 watt desk lamp? I kept worrying about this when I was using tissue paper, and I ended up removing the paper to let it cool off between shots.
I may have an unnatural fear of this, though, because of a childhood incident :-)
Can't you fashion something similiar to a "flat lamp shade" out of coat hangars to keep the tissue/paper towels farthur away from the bulb?
Originally posted by Kimbly: Originally posted by jmsetzler: [i]toilet paper and kleenex are the true 'ghetto' studio methods of diffusing light :)
Do these start burning when on a 40 or 60 watt desk lamp? I kept worrying about this when I was using tissue paper, and I ended up removing the paper to let it cool off between shots.
I may have an unnatural fear of this, though, because of a childhood incident :-)[/i]
Originally posted by lecook: i had originally taped a single ply papertowel to the shield but was afraid of overheating also, so i just held it in front of the light and used the timer to take the pic
You can easily bend a few coat hangers around to build yer average ghetto diffuser... :)
i also find that using a bounce, ie pointing my light away from the object, and at a white surface like a piece of paper or white board, so that the light reflects onto the subject, can give me really good diffusion.
combining the 2 techniques (diffuser paper + bounce) can also give an interesting result.
btw, i've used tracing paper with 500 watt floods with no fire problem. the flash point of tracing paper is about 450 deg farenheit.
and lest i forget, one of my favorite diffusers is a white cotton tshirt, or white cotton sheet. you can hang it up and the farther away your light is from it, the more diffused the shadows will be :)
* This message has been edited by the author on 5/14/2002 2:30:04 PM.
i know! but dangit i don't have any wire hangers (egads, i just heard joan crawford) ...maybe i'll raid hubby's wire supply
Originally posted by jmsetzler: Originally posted by lecook: [i]i had originally taped a single ply papertowel to the shield but was afraid of overheating also, so i just held it in front of the light and used the timer to take the pic
You can easily bend a few coat hangers around to build yer average ghetto diffuser... :)[/i]
how about white nylons (or pantyhose or whatever the hell they are) stretched over the coat hanger/tennis raquet? Just look confident when you go to the store to buy 'em guys.
