Newbie comments on software and photography

[gbotes]

I've been learning and practising photography since 2010, and still consider myself a newbie at it. There is so much to know and experience. I'll never stop learning. I've been using PSP X8 almost exclusively for image editing and processing for a few months now. I've not used PSP at all prior to this, so I'm a rank newbie as far as it goes. I'd like to share my thoughts and experience on photography and software, to date. Generally, I've enjoyed using X8, and I've found it handles many (but not all) of my editing needs BUT not without plugins. So something I've learned is plugins are very important for a photographer, and my most essential plugins are Topaz Labs and Nik Collection - I'm glad I invested in these.

Initially, when I started using X8, I felt it was limited because I was so used to the Gimp way of working. I had to re-learn how to do a lot of things. I'm glad I perservered - PSP X8 gave my photoggraphy a huge leap forward because of it's plugin support, and because of scripting! So the second thing I learned is that scripting is a photographer's friend, and PSP X8 makes it fairly easy to record, save and use scripts. I've learned that scripting/actions are essential for busy photographers, especially when a photo shoot produces 500 - 1000 images you have to scrutinize and edit.

I'm not enjoying all the "advertising" that has appeared in X8 since updating to SP1. Grr! Suddenly I feel like I'm using shareware that I haven't paid for, the advertising is NOT useful, and I didn't find significant improvements in SP1 - I may uninstall it as a result. So something I've learned is don't be too quick to install service packs - they are not always improvements.

With regard to support, while I've found Corel support eager and professional, it hasn't always helped me. Usually because of tiering - I don't always get an explanation of why I'm enountering something or I don't get access to a tier of support where the knowledge to answer my question or issue exists. I expect to encounter this with any software company. it's just the nature of things. Probably I would need a paid level of support for this, but I don't feel the size of my photography business (it's a sideline) would justify this expenditure.

I'm missing a few things that I had come to rely on and use a lot in Gimp, like gradient mapping, and access to a huge number of very useful free scripts/plugins, so that was part of the learning curve for me. As a newbie, I'm also still thinking that PSP needs a comprehensive "from novice to pro" book that explains PSP thoroughly and image editing for digital photographers inside and out. It would save lots of time scouring the 'net for answers but there isn't such a thing, so the 'net and user groups are a very valuable resource for learning.

It's very obvious that PSP AND ALL software is about money and the profit motive, so any coding, changes, improvements need to be justifiable and this is often why software companies, and Corel, don't seem to listen or react to users as speedily as they might like. So another thing I've learned is that a photographer cannot afford to rely on one software package. I had initially hoped PSP would obviate the need for other software but I've needed to purchase Photoshop Elements to address some shortcomings, and I can see I may ultimately need to move up to Photoshop Creative Cloud as soon as the expenditure can be justified. This is another thing I've learned so far - no single software package meets all your needs as a photographer.

The operating system and hardware landscape is a very complex one, with so many variables, interactions, conflicts, needs, etc. that any software, updates, service packs, etc. WILL have bugs no matter how thoroughly it's tested. No company can anticipate or cater for everything that will be encountered. Test your software, make use of trial versions, be slow to upgrade or to install service packs and updates. Wait for comments, reviews, and so on from other users if your software tools are important for your business. You need stability for your business because your clients depend on you, so be slow to change anything that is working.

Photography is about how you see, and nobody can teach you that - you have to learn it by experience. Books, courses, training is useful because it can open up horizons and teach you skills and theory, but actually seeing is up to you. This also means that photography is less about your camera, lenses, megapixels, sensor, speedlights, reflectors, filters and other gear and more about you. Having said that, photography has always been about the darkroom, and the digital equivalent of that is your editing software, so learn about that and don't be shy to edit. Yes, the pro's do most of their work in camera but it will take you and me a long time to get to that level so we need to edit our images.

To summarise my experience to date for any fellow newbies/ newie photographers out there:
1. Plugins are important and supremely useful. You'll definitely need them, and your editing tools MUST support Photoshop and compatible plugins. Remember that good plugins are an investment in your photography, and (almost) more important than any editing tool because many software applications will support them. I can use Topaz Labs in PSP, Photoshop, Elements, and some other applications. Plugins are worth their weight in gold.
2. Scripting (actions) is important and useful, and your editing tools MUST support it. As your photography grows, you'll be producing lots of images. Scripting and batch processing will be essential.
3. You won't get all the tech support or manuals you need for any editing tool - you'll have to use the 'net and user groups A LOT, so you must have good, reliable internet access. Learn good netiquette, be open, try to be friendly and make contact with user groups, and other experts on the 'net. Don't react to comments, criticism, etc. Just have a learning attitude.
4. No single editing tool will do all you need - plan for this, and be prepared to invest in and learn various tools.
5. When the frustration happens, and it will, remember that software companies and photographers all need to make money to stay alive and operational, and this is natural. Tone down your feelings, accept it, and find a workaround for your issue or problem. All expenditure has to be justified.
6. Test, test, test and be slow to try out upgrades, updates, service packs, etc. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
7. Teach yourself to see, and learn to visualize the end result. This is more important than any amount of gear. I'm noticing that many photographers who have good businesses have only basic gear anyway, because of the need to justify expenditure - more proof that it's about the photographer, rather than the gear.

[LeviFiction]

There is PaintShop Pro for Photographers. Although admittedly I think the last version of that book was for X6. And I found the editing on it a bit lack luster with the version I bought. They had chapters that were clearly from previous books that hadn't been updated. The information was still accurate, but it was a bit odd seeing text like "maybe they'll fix this in version X2" when you're reading the book for X2. But for the most part it covered many of the basic functions, how everything worked, practical examples for advanced editing. Even basic script recording.

GIMP's python scripting is far more advanced than what PSP uses Python for. Sometimes that's helpful, sometimes it's annoying. Got to love the simplicity of PSP's scripting, but at the same time envy the more Object Oriented approach GIMP uses.

[MarkZ]

Gbotes, than you for a sober and complete review of PSP and the art of photography. You make many points that we often forget about.

[photodrawken]

With all due respect, most of your conclusions are based on lack of experience with image editing, and lack of knowlege about the software that's available.

1. Plugins are important and supremely useful. You'll definitely need them,

Not really. I've been using image editing software for >20 years, and probably 98% of the plugins out there simply duplicate what can be done within the image editor itself. Save your money by thoroughly learning how to use your image editor, and only buy/use a plugin if it provides functionality that is otherwise unavailable. Avoid getting on that expensive "plugin purchasing" treadmill....

2. Scripting (actions) is important and useful, and your editing tools MUST support it.

Not really. I think that every image editor out there has the capability to record macros -- the set of steps you perform. If you're using an image editor with an excellent feature set, that's all you need.

4. No single editing tool will do all you need - plan for this, and be prepared to invest in and learn various tools.

This is true. If you consider your photography workflow as having these three stages:

• Importing, reviewing, culling, and cataloging.
• RAW image processing.
• Image editing.

there are many options available for each stage. The important thing to understand is that there are excellent free (or low-cost) software programs for each of those stages. For example, XnViewMP for the first stage, RawTherapee for the second and PhotoLine (of course ) for the third stage.

[gbotes]

That's interesting, photodrawken. I'd love to know more about the software you use and the kinds of images you work with. And I'd love to see some of your work - do you have a blog, Flickr, tumblr or some place where you display your images? I'm always keen to learn, and I think I'm only just scratching the surface of photography and image editing.

As for the plugins, I haven't found anything in Gimp, RawTherapee, Darktable, PSP, or Photoshop Elements that works quite as efficiently on large numbers of images. I agree many editors can do some but not all that you find in the various plugins, but this sort of editing takes time in my experience

Which editors are you using that have built-in macro recording? It's sounds like there's stuff I need to learn. Thanks for your feedback.

[gbotes]

Thanks, MarkZ. I appreciate your feedback, and the compliment.

[photodrawken]

As for the plugins, I haven't found anything in Gimp, RawTherapee, Darktable, PSP, or Photoshop Elements that works quite as efficiently on large numbers of images.

Fair enough. We each have our own priorities -- if you've found a method that suits your workflow, then go for it.

I mentioned (and regular participants in this forum know my preference) my image editor of choice. My point in posting a reply is to correct what I consider some misconceptions about the necessity of spending money on plugins, and image processing in general. In other words, there are a whole lot of options out there. Some are quite expensive, some not. The fun is discovering new tools.

[pdxrjt]

Thanks for taking the time to post this. While my experience is slightly different, what you posted is obviously 100% accurate for you and provided an interesting read.

[gbotes]

Thanks for taking the time to post this. While my experience is slightly different, what you posted is obviously 100% accurate for you and provided an interesting read.

Thanks, pdxrjt.

I realise there are as many work flows and viewpoints as there are photographers.