Photography Newbie

[TomCooper]

I got a SLR camera for Christmas as in the past year I've started doing quite a bit of car photography. In the past I just used my iPhone which meant there were a vast array of apps that I could use to edit photos however now that I wont be using my phone I don't have the access to these apps I was wondering if someone could recommend some good photo editing software
Also are there any general extras/accessories that people would recommend I buy for photographing cars?

Thanks in advance,
Tom

[MikeGTi]

I don't really do cars myself, but I've noticed that most people use a tripod when photographing cars.

In terms of editing software, depending on how much you're willing to spend you could look at Gimp, which is free, or Adobe Photoshop Elements or Adobe Lightroom.

Oh, and, good luck!

[sc0tt]

30 day free trial of lightroom will sort you out.

[Malx]

Lightroom is decent but it does cost. Give the trial a go.
I moved to Elements for a while as it was cheaper but organising and processing my photos became a nightmare. Bought lightroom and haven't looked back since.

[Craikeybaby]

Lightroom is my software of choice, but I also use Photoshop Elements to combine multiple images. Elements is better for editing, but Lightroom is a better application overall, as above, there are trials available of both, so give them a try.

With regards to extras for car photography I would recommend a circular polarising filter, tripod and remote release cable. The circular polariser cuts down on reflections on the windows/body, but makes the image darker so you need a longer exposure, which is where the tripod and cable release come in.

[Nick Grant]

Craikeybaby said:

With regards to extras for car photography I would recommend a circular polarising filter, tripod and remote release cable. The circular polariser cuts down on reflections on the windows/body, but makes the image darker so you need a longer exposure, which is where the tripod and cable release come in.

I notice the OP has a Stag. I wouldn't use a Circular Polariser on classics as they show up all the lamiate in the windscreen, great for modern cars though

[K12beano]

You have plenty of choice. Mostly I am just repeating others' previous views - but just to augment....

My choice would always be Adobe Lightroom, having tried a few others, Nikon's own, Phase One and Apple's Aperture.

I would thoroughly recommend a short-term free trial of Lightroom and Aperture and see what seems to come easiest to you. Go with your heart in terms of what feels easy to use, because (unless you're at Professional, highly critical level) you'll be able to get very good results from just about any tool with a bit of familiarity and practice.

If using Apple, go and have a one-to-one at an Apple Store.

Aperture is cheap - and not necessarily just cheap and cheerful. It would be my second choice - and that's mostly because I am so familiar with Lightroom having used it, and it's embryonic predecessor, since 2005.

For your next step, there are free options, but personally, and for current pricing levels, Photoshop Elements is really hard to beat. Plus there's plenty of on-line resources to help you get the best out of it.

[markmullen]

You can download a 30 day free trial of Capture One, either the cut down Express version or the full fat Pro version.

It takes a bit of getting used to but as you're starting from scratch anything will, and it is very powerful. Also Lightroom 4 is out on beta test so you can download that and try it.

[TomCooper]

Thanks for all the help everyone
I'll try the software people have recommended and see which one suits me best!
I'll also have a look at some of the extras mentioned as they all seem handy :

Thanks again!