Anyone else still shoot film?

[CopCarSS]

Chris,

I guess I'm just not up to speed with all the post-processing.  I'm kinda "old-school" in that I try to get the image correctly with the camera, rather than with the software.  For years I've thought that it was 'cheating' to use a computer program to help create the image, rather than the creativity of working the camera to create an image that reflects what I see with the mind's eye.

However, upon recently seeing a PBS documentary on Ansel Adams, I have realized that much of his genius was his abilities in the darkroom.  So I have now re-evaluated my criteria, and have begun to look for a good image editing program.

You mentioned Photoshop Elements 6--do you recommend this program, or do you think it would be too complicated for a novice user?  And if you feel it would be too much for me, are there any other programs you would recommend?

Oh, and btw, excellent shots (as always).

Thanks.

Jim

Jim,

It's a hard boundary to define what is and is not "cheating" in the digital realm, but I've always felt that a digital shot benefits from some tweaking in Photoshop. In fact, a RAW file is meant just for that. You're taking the decision making process about the look of the file into your own hands, rather than trusting a set of parameters that some engineer decided was "right."

Generally, I don't think it would be cheating if you stuck to simple things like lighting adjustment, color adjustment, dust spot removal, a little sharpening (to compensate for the effects of the Anti Aliasing filter), etc. I know some photographers even think that cloning out a power line or such isn't cheating. That's a bit too far for me - I think it ruins the integrity of the shot - but you'll have to define your own limits.

You mentioned Ansel Adams. Here's a quote from him that I've always liked: "The negative is the score. The print is the performance." If you substitute "RAW file" for "negative," I think the same still holds true in the digital age.

I think that Photoshop Elements 6.0 has to be one of the best bargains out there for photo-editing software. It packs almost all the features of Photoshop into a program that costs $600 less. It's unlikely that you'll really ever miss the deleted features, and you'll also gain a couple nice additions. I REALLY like doing B&W conversions in PSE 6.0. It's hard to explain it well, but it's fantastically easy to use, and lets you see the effects of modifying the individual color channels while you work. Nifty! As an added bonus, Adobe has bundled their RAW file convertor with PSE 6.0. I've always liked Adobe's RAW convertor, so that was a nice addition.

The real beauty of PSE 6.0, though, is that it's a program that you can ease yourself into, so don't worry about being a novice. You can edit photos with some assistance from the program if you want. As you get familiar with the program, though, you can also start taking more control of the post-processing to really refine the look of your shot.

Overall, I really think that it is a steal at $100. I was almost hooked on Adobe Lightroom, which runs for $200, IIRC. Lightroom may be a little more streamlined, but anything you can do in Lightroom can be done in PSE. Additionally, there's a LOT of stuff in PSE that you can't do in Lightroom.

Since you're shooting Nikon, there is one other option that might suit you. Nikon makes their own editing program, Capture NX. Since I've never used Nikon, I've never had a reason to check out Capture NX (it's designed specifically with Nikon's RAW files - .NEF - in mind, and doesn't offer support for other RAW files). You might check around some of the Nikon fora (DPReview might be a good place to start) and see what other Nikon shooters think of it. I think there's some Nikon shooters here as well, so perhaps they can add some notes on usability and performance.

Hope this helps a little bit and thanks as always for the nice comments on my shots!

Chris

[spokyone]

I thought Photoshop was a $600 program. At $100 I'm going to get it soon. Thanks again Chris. Your advice is right on.

[zardoz]

I thought Photoshop was a $600 program. At $100 I'm going to get it soon. Thanks again Chris. Your advice is right on.

Thanks, Chris, you are most helpful.

Spokyone, here is a link to Amazon for PE6; they are selling it for $81.99.

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-29230727-Photoshop-Elements-6/dp/B000UKBIEC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1202327037&sr=8-1

Jim

[miniwyo]

For editing digital shots, I first, shoot everything in RAW, and then use the Adobe Photoshop Raw processer to process it. Then I make any other small tweaks to it, and remove any offending dust spots and I call it done! I try not to do anything that can't be done with a negitive under an enlarger. That way If I do want to enter it in a contest, It is a fairly level playing field. Theese things are usually, Burning and dodging, dust removal(Had to do it on a print once....) Color balancing and saturation, and then some modes of alternative processing. You can edit contrast under the enlarger, but that can be done with burning and dodging. The only thing I have yet to accomplish in Photoshop is Sloarization. I had a professer in College that actualy had an article in Shutterbug Magazine about his solarization technique.

 

Chris, Do you know what the difference is between AdobeRGB and sRGB?

 

[CopCarSS]

Bob - Photoshop is a a $600-$700 program. Photoshop Elements 6.0 is a stripped down version of Photoshop, but still gives a LOT of control over the photo. I've used most versions of Photoshop, except some of the very early ones and the newest one (CS3). For most jobs, I think Photoshop Elements is all most photographers will ever need. 99.5% of the time, it's all I use.

Jim - Good luck with your new toy! I think you'll find that it opens up the hobby quite a bit, and that you'll be able to take your photography to the next level.

RJ - sRGB is the color space of the web. AdobeRGB improves on sRGB by offering a greater range of colors (especially in cyans & greens, IIRC). Because there is a wider color space to work in, photos will show more detail if shot/processed in AdobeRGB. There was an article about the difference between sRGB and AdobeRGB a couple years ago in PopPhoto. I'll see if I can dig it out. I'm sure there's more information around the web, too. I'll see if I can dig up a couple good links tonight when I get home.

[spokyone]

I thought Photoshop was a $600 program. At $100 I'm going to get it soon. Thanks again Chris. Your advice is right on.

Thanks, Chris, you are most helpful.

Spokyone, here is a link to Amazon for PE6; they are selling it for $81.99.

Jim

Done!  Thanks

[LVJJJ]

I have no desire to spend that much on any camera or even a computer.  Bottom line is I ENJOY taking pictures with my 35mm film camera, I HATE using digital.  I use a cheapo digital for still shots for my consulting business to email "digitals" to clients, and that's work.  For enjoyment, i use the film cam.  Once thing I have noticed, is that when your are concentrating on taking good pictures, you miss all the real live action.    Larry 

(this is a reply to trainboyH16-44) 

 

[CopCarSS]

Just as an interesting little sidenote to this thread, I found some 4x5 chromes the other night while digging through my camera stuff and dropped them off to be processed. Lo and behold! they were some shots that I thought that I had bungled up on my trip last Memorial Day to Grand Canyon / Arches NP. I had forgotten just how amazing a properly exposed 4x5 chrome can look. I'll see if I can get a scan done tonight.

[miniwyo]

I think I am going to take some Slide film with me on my trip to England in August. I did enjoy that. and I do have the capabilities of developing film at home, I can just use my friend's negative scanner.... Instead of worrying about the hassles of printing them. I do like Ilfochrome prints, but man are they hard to master....

[SALfan]

Absolutely ! Pentax K-1000 

Lenses 50mm , 28mm , 28-200mm zoom

I like having total control with this camera.

 

 

Glad to hear that other people still have and use K-1000's.  Sounds like you have the same kit I do, bought about 1980.  Despite having a point-and-shoot 35mm and a low-line digital Kodak, the Pentax is the only camera I'm any good with, because I used it so much more in years past.  Need to dig the old beast out and use it some; I used to take a lot of snapshots, but haven't touched a camera in at least a couple of years now.

[trainboyH16-44]

Just for the record, I also have a K-1000 with 28 and 50, and except for 2+ minute exposures, my rebel pwns it