advantage/disadvantage - DPChallenge Forums

05/14/2002 07:10:23 AM · #1

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???

05/14/2002 07:15:51 AM · #2

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.

lisae

Olympus C-720UZ

05/14/2002 07:20:45 AM · #3

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 :)

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

05/14/2002 08:30:44 AM · #4

Photoshop Elements is quite nice and it's less than $100 as opposed to the $600+ pricetag on Photoshop.

Not to mention PElements has features like fill flash that PShop doesn't. I wish I had that as a secondary editing program.

magnetic9999

Canon EOS-20D

05/14/2002 08:47:25 AM · #5

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.:)

chariot

Olympus C-3030Z

05/14/2002 10:22:10 AM · #6

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.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

05/14/2002 10:27:15 AM · #7

You can recreate the fill flash capability in PS with a little effort... lol

Originally posted by conceptgraphics:
[i]Photoshop Elements is quite nice and it's less than $100 as opposed to the $600+ pricetag on Photoshop.

Not to mention PElements has features like fill flash that PShop doesn't. I wish I had that as a secondary editing program.
[/i]

magnetic9999

Canon EOS-20D

05/14/2002 10:30:20 AM · #8

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.

05/14/2002 10:39:47 AM · #9

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.

05/14/2002 11:40:58 AM · #10

toilet paper and kleenex are the true 'ghetto' studio methods of diffusing light :)

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

05/14/2002 12:26:26 PM · #11

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
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' :)

05/14/2002 12:43:56 PM · #12

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]

dpchallenger

Canon PowerShot G2

05/14/2002 12:50:08 PM · #13

Kimbly

Canon PowerShot G2

05/14/2002 12:56:00 PM · #14

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 :-)

05/14/2002 12:59:31 PM · #15

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

dpchallenger

Canon PowerShot G2

05/14/2002 01:12:58 PM · #16

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?

05/14/2002 01:23:33 PM · #17

Please don't burn your house down :)

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]

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

05/14/2002 01:25:12 PM · #18

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... :)

magnetic9999

Canon EOS-20D

05/14/2002 01:31:16 PM · #19

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.

05/14/2002 01:46:01 PM · #20

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]

05/14/2002 03:01:45 PM · #21

Cut the strings out of a tennis raquet... that would serve nicely as a pseudo-ghetto diffuser ;)

05/14/2002 03:05:11 PM · #22

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.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

05/14/2002 03:07:40 PM · #23

That won't work.. Nylon lites up like a walmart christmas tree...

justine

Canon EOS-50D

05/14/2002 03:11:57 PM · #24

LOL> JmSetzler...your nickname could be MacGyver.
I'll bet you know lots of ways to use duct tape too!
Clever.