Wondering what photo software people are finding really useful on a day to day basis? This is in contrast to software that you own, find really cool, but don't use at all. For example, in my case, I think Adobe Bridge is neat, it's just too slow for me to use on a day to day basis.
For me, my workhorse programs are: Breeze Browser Pro/Downloader Pro and a touch of Photoshop CS for the important photos.
IMHO Adobe PS CS is the best especially with add ons and plug ins. However, I am a firm believer in direct from camera and that if someone needs to do too much processing, adjusting, changing to a photo, then it probably wasn't that good of a shot to begin with.
IMHO Adobe PS CS is the best especially with add ons and plug ins. However, I am a firm believer in direct from camera and that if someone needs to do too much processing, adjusting, changing to a photo, then it probably wasn't that good of a shot to begin with.
Problem is shooting with a p&s and a dslr is so different in the way the photo is presented. My Fuji 602z was sharp out of the camera and I did little or no editing, however my 300d dslr is a different beast altogether so I tend to use CS2 mostly for my editing but Its usually pretty basic stuff as I need to learn how to work CS2 at a higher level than present.
- Raw Shooter Essential for converting from RAW to JPEG.
- PhotoShop Elements 4 for day to day editing.
- Photomatrix (trial) for HDR experimenting (am seriously considering coughing up for the full version when I can afford it).
CS2 trial edition for RAW conversion
Elements 3.0 for processing
Photomatix pro for HDR/ Tonemapping
Trying out Noiseninja and may purchase for elements...
For JPEGs - Elements 2.0 when possible, otherwise Elements 4 (depending which computer I'm on) [I keep to version 2 so I can use curves & channel mixer]
For HDR(normally just from RAW) - Photomatix Pro
For panoramas - Autostitch
Out of them I use Elements most, but use the others fairly regularly when appropriate for what I'm doing
Canon image transfer utility (doesn't touch EXIF and sorts into nice, tidy folders automatically)
Canon Zoombrowser for sifting through and choosing shots to edit; I also use it to batch resize groups of snapshots to put up on shutterfly.com
Photoshop CS2 for editing, with Neat Image plugin for noise reduction
Surprising the wide variety of software used, particularly specialized 'accessory' software folks employee...
For me:
1-Microsoft RAW image viewer and/or DPP (Canon's Digital Photo 'Professional')
2-ACR for RAW conversion
3-PS CS2 for day to day image editing
4-NeatImage and plugin (though not need as much as it used to be)
5-Hugins as a front end for pano tools for panorama image stitching
6-Miscellaneous downloaded filters and plugins occasionally
Picture Project for getting the pics on my PC and for raw conversion to tif where I will work on the image in Paint Shop Pro 9.
Neat Image to clean things up a bit afterwards.
If I am playing around at work I'll use GIMP. I am also trying out Raw Shooter.
