Which processing software?

[Ari]

Thought this might be a useful thread of it's own.

Got into "proper" photography about a year ago. Got to grips with the basics now and got a decent camera.

The next step is software processing. I'd been thinking of getting Photoshop Elements, but Lightroom has been suggested.

Given I'm at a fairly early stage with all of this, and I'd rather not pay more than I have to, what do people recommend?

Probably the most important aspect is ease of use.

[RobDickinson]

I dont get on with lightroom but its probably the best catalog managment, workflow and editing package out there

[38911]

Elements is good - it's capable of turning bland into beautiful in some cases - but it's buggy (v.10).

You can download any of the Photoshop products and play with them free of charge for 28 days...

[markmullen]

RobDickinson said:

I dont get on with lightroom but its probably the best catalog managment, workflow and editing package out there

This, it is well regarded and used by loads but I didn't get on with it either. I use Capture One, it is on offer from time to time at £99 which is great value, it pulls more out of a raw file than LR or Aperture IME.

[Malx]

I love lightroom. It does everything I need in terms of importing, processing and exporting. I did try Elements but found it to be a nightmare, to the point that I stopped taking photos!
Maybe it'll work for you but try the trials for each.

[Major Bloodnok]

Another vote for Lightroom - but... it's got a steep learning curve.

Plenty of tutorials out on the interwebs - I recommend Julianne Kost's videos (http://jkost.com/) - make use of them or you'll soon get bogged down and hate it.

It's also cheaper than it's ever been - currently £99.99 on Amazon.

[markmullen]

Just a thought, if you want to just have a go most of the camera manufacturers supply software with their cameras, Canon's DPP for example.

[...Mole...]

I prefer to use Photoshop CS5 for all my processing I find it quicker and a lot more in depth than Lightroom. Although I've been used to using photoshop for years for more than just editing photo's so that might have something to do with it

[Nick Grant]

...Mole... said:

I prefer to use Photoshop CS5 for all my processing I find it quicker and a lot more in depth than Lightroom. Although I've been used to using photoshop for years for more than just editing photo's so that might have something to do with it

This ^

[Craikeybaby]

Most of the main players have got free trials, so the best advice is to download and try for yourself.

However, generally speaking, if you want to process a few images to absolute perfection Photoshop (either elements or CSX, depending on budget) is more powerful, but if you want to process a lot of images Lightroom would be better.