Photoshop or Something Else?

I have always used adobe photoshop for all my photo editing needs, but recently there have been some credible competitors rising with Apple's Aperture and iphoto, Google's Picasa, and more.

One thing I don't really like about Photoshop is it doesn't seem to work too well for working on many photos at one time. I usually use it for one photo at a time and it is quite time consuming.

I would be interested to know what software other people use and what they think about it. Also what they typically use it for, (cropping, color balance, exposure, brightness, contrast, etc...)

Tags: aperture, apple, editing, iphoto, photo, photoshop, picasa, software

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Permalink Reply by Richard S. on November 28, 2007 at 10:36pm: I usually use photoshop for editing photos that I really care about, but if I am just doing really quick touch-ups I use Picasa sometimes.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Daniel Chinchay on November 29, 2007 at 12:22am: Aperture Aperture Aperture *breath* APERTURE!!! Especially for working with multiple photos, Aperture allows you to copy the same adjustments you've made on a picture and take them to another. For example, if after importing you notice you've underexposed an entire sequence, Aperture allows you to adjust them all at once, instead of individually. When working at the Apple store, people often asked what the difference between Photoshop and Aperture were; here's what I said:

" Aperture and Photoshop are both GREAT photo programs that can do many of the same things, but their strengths are different. To put it simply, I would use photoshop if i wanted to take the head off of a chicken, and put it on a cow. In other words creative manipulation of photography and design. Aperture on the other hand, is HARDCORE image correction. Especially wen working with RAW photography."

I've found that Aperture is WORLDS easier and more user friendly. So yeah, there's my two cents.

http://www.apple.com/aperture/quicktours/; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kristen Ising on December 14, 2008 at 8:36pm: Is aperture something I can use with my PC. or is it only for apple? Im new to a lot of this and just yous photoshop.now. Is it something you can upload free or do you buy it?
Thanks -Kristen; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Eugene Madison on December 3, 2007 at 3:43pm: I actually use Google's Picasa. I only do basic color corrections and crops, but it works very well for that.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rob Jaudon on December 3, 2007 at 5:50pm: Well, I use a ton of apps. For quick mods I like the simplicity of Picasa. I have always tried to do mods in Photoshop but have recently picked up Lightroom. I have to say I really enjoy Lightroom. You have tons of control over all image corrections and all the modifications are non-destructive....so you can always get back to the original. With Lightroom I really like the Virtual copy option which allows you make several virtual copies of a photo to try different post processing tricks. It brings a great mangement/post processing option to the table. I would definately look into it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Otilia on December 13, 2008 at 6:32pm: Hi Rob
I've recently purchased Elements 6 but because I still don't know how to uset it, I'm still using Picasa. However I find that when using Picasa the resolution of my photos diminishes. Do you not find this?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Craig Fine on December 7, 2007 at 12:20pm: Do you use a MAC? 64 bit operating system can and does work much faster than a Windows based 32 bit operating system.
I am playing with Aperture right now, I have found it to be a stellar picture organizer and database tool. It can fix overall colors and tones, as well as exposure and much more, however I am still learning. I like the fact that whatever you do to a photo, the original is always un-touched and in tact.
I think with the right computer, Photoshop CS3 has been working great for me.

Craig; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gordie on December 9, 2007 at 10:49am: I like using Adobe's Lightroom v 1.3 program. It has some real neat features. I especialy like the cropping tool.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Frodo13 on December 9, 2007 at 1:58pm: Trisha,

I use Photoshop CS3. I am no expert but I do try, and what I have found is that Photoshop being the leader has the most in terms of useful resources, tutorials, tips and etc out there. I find that I use Photoshop more and more as I grow in confidence and experience, (true for most things I suppose). But, the comment about working on many photos at the same time got to me. I felt the same way until I learned about using Photoshop with Lightroom (also by Adobe but geared toward photographers). Much of the repetition can be taken out of the "digital" process. By creating actions as well as applying corrections to a batch of image files all at once. You are right there are lots of competitors out there, but it seems the industry standard will be there for some time to come. Have you tried any of the web tips or video tutorials? I found some great ones on iTunes in the podcast section.
Best of luck..; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Reymar Gooding on December 18, 2007 at 3:22am: Hey, you can check out my site if you like, its a really dummed down version of photoshop that i created so others can edit their pictures online. I think its great for simple stuff, otherwise i wouldnt have spent the time in creating it in the first place, so try it and tell me what you think. Here's the link http://www.edityourpicture.com

I should warn you though, don't expect any miracles :)

But please, let me know what you think, it is still a work-in-progress and your feedback would really help me make the site better.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff on December 30, 2007 at 4:59am: To be honest I have a number of editing programs including Paint Shop of the 3 I use primarly which are Phot Impact Photo Explosion and Microsoft Picture it,. I use Photo Impact the most. Phot Impact allows me to see what I am doing before I do it and to change it before I apply it. The brightness and contrast feature is set up ina thumb nail feature which makes editing it easy for the pro or beginner. Phoimpact also has features that Paintshop does not, the abilty to adjust or add lighting effects, The abilty to add objects thumbnail viewing of some editng features such as focus, brightness and contrast, and color balance. Phot Impact also offers a Post Editing feature which allows for final correction of your photos.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by SGarriepy on January 1, 2008 at 12:31pm: Photoshop is a pixel pusher, and I use it for the serious editing when I have o do more that balance color or crop. Don’t get me wrong I love Photoshop and it’s open 24/7 on my machine, But it’s mostly for desktop publishing along with Illustrator.

Adobe's Lightroom and Aperture and are similar products, including what I have seen of both the interfaces. The price line is also the same on both $299.00.

I don’t do a ton of serious shooting, but if I did Lightroom would be the app I would get. There is a good postcast by Matt Kloskowski that can give you some quick in-sites to the interface.

Not sure about Aperture but Lightroom will allow you to process JPG file in camera raw and that is a great feature. The tabbed interface covers it all, from the development and storage of you images to contact prints, web galleries and tons of presets along the way.

If you not a hardcore photographer applications like iPhoto (Mac) and ACDSee (PC) are both great products for around $100 bucks that can fill all you digital asset management and editing needs.; ▶ Reply to This