Techsurvivors
Welcome to Techsurvivors => Tech => Topic started by: Bruce_F on January 02, 2020, 04:06:53 PM
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I've been out of the loop regarding photo editing for a few years now. I had Photoshop on my computers starting with Photoshop 3 through Photoshop CS. Then, through a series of events, I no could no longer keep up with the advancing technology. This year, I am planning to finally get a new Mac. I've been using a MacBook Pro long enough that another portable will likely be my choice.
So, my question is, which photo editing software is favored by Mac users? I won't be purchasing Photoshop again but if I go with Adobe, I would most likely get Elements as I'm most familiar with the tools in Adobe software.
If there is other software available to someone who enjoys photo restoration and manipulation, please share your ideas!
Thanks and Happy New Year to All!
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I could never justify the cost of PS and, not being a professional, Elements more than handled all I needed. I also grabbed Aperture just before Apple abandoned it. I then bought Lightroom. I now use Elements and ON1. That gives me pixel by pixel access via PSE and zone or overall controls (and Layers) with ON1.
I think for those who don’t continue with Adobe CS subscriptions, most are using Lightroom or ON1. PSE still has a large following and massive user forums.
You will definitely enjoy your new hardware, no matter the software!! :yes:
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I'm a semi retired graphic designer still using Photoshop CS6. Can't justifying buying a subscription. I've got a new 27" iMac that I haven't yet transferred all my files over and know I can't use CS6 on it. :-(
(I'll be coming here soon for advice!)
I think you should be good with Elements if you are not a professional working with media and printing companies.
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Although I dislike the idea of paying
extortion subscription to Adobe, I do like the way I can print photos using Photoshop. I subscribe only to Adobe's photo package and can well afford the $10.79 per month. I spend a lot more on cat food, so I don't mind this one.
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Thank you all for your responses!
I'm happy to hear that Elements is still one of the favorites of Mac users. My desire to have photo editing software is only for personal use and enjoyment. I'm way past the days when I did graphics work for a living.
Lightroom is one that I will look at again. It was on my "check it out" list before I left the industry. ON1 is a new one to me. I'll take a closer look at what it offers. I don't anticipate having more than one application to do the things I want to do.
I bought Aperture too. For some reason, it's never been one of my favorite apps even though it has given me great results at times. I wonder if it will run on the newest computers?
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Although I have never used Affinity Photo, I have read good things about it. You can find it at App Store.
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I bought Aperture too... I wonder if it will run on the newest computers?
Apple dropped development right after I bought it, although I don't think the two events were directly related! :doh: :p But it will certainly NOT run in Catalina, if it is a 32 bit app.
ON1 is in very active development and aimed directly at Lightroom. One of the biggest differences is that it allows you complete freedom as to where you store your originals as opposed to Lightroom's organization schemes. It also uses Layers like PS and PSE, not sure if that's available in LR. :dntknw:
PS and PSE are basically pixel editors/creators although various effects can be 'painted' on most objects. Aperture, LR and ON1 are more about editing the entire image although an effect can be faded in many ways. I think they all store your 'edits' as separate documents, leaving your original files unchanged.
You should probably also check out Apple's newest Photos app which you are already paying for! :)
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Thanks for all the information shared! I now have some homework to do!
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Late to the party, but I'd suggest that you have a look at some of the reviews that compare the various options to Photoshop and Lightroom. There are some significant pluses and minuses when it comes to LR replacements - the file system/catalogue system differences are significant between LR & ON1, for instance. For more on that see: https://photographylife.com/lightroom-vs-on1
I now have Capture One 12 Pro, ON1 2020, Affinity Photo, and Pixelmator Pro, in addition to my old LR/PS CS6, which are still in use. I haven't updated to Catalina, as I've had a number of big projects and not enough time to do anything...
Capture One 12 compared to Lightroom:
https://photographylife.com/lightroom-vs-capture-one
Capture One had a great sale before Christmas; I'd been dithering over it for some time. The other apps I've owned since they began and I have updated them (thought not used them extensively, yet) because I believe strongly in supporting viable Adobe alternatives!!
ON1 is significantly cheaper than C1 and will likely be more than enough for many - though DO keep in mind the differences using a database/sidecar DAM structure and make sure that you know and understand best practices around backups.
If you are looking for a viable Photoshop alternative from a great company with a good user base (and helpful forums) I HIGHLY recommend Affinity Photo. I also use Affinity Publisher - have already abandoned InDesign (which I used and loved for years) and it's great too.
Comparison: https://www.photography-raw.com/affinity-photo-vs-photoshop/
For those considering Pixelmator, this is a good comparison of it with PS: https://tidbits.com/2019/02/13/pixelmator-pro-how-does-it-compare-to-photoshop-cc/
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Wow! That's a lot of good information! I'll be checking all of it out.
Thanks Paddy!
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Second the recommendation of Elements and the Affinity products (Affinity Photo and Designer). Used to use the basic Pixelmator but have not gone over to the pro version. Don't have a favorite other than to say Elements is probably the easiest to use if you have had Photoshop in the past.
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Don't have a favorite other than to say Elements is probably the easiest to use
I hear it can even be used to create a small image usable as an avatar here... :scram:
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We used to have a site license for PhotoShop back when I was working. I got to be "okay" with it for my classroom and special needs students, then I retired. :thumbup: :clap: :yahoo:
Is there any way for someone skilled in photo editing etc to "fix" a blurry image of one of my little dogs and make it sharper (he was moving when I took the picture with one of my first digital cameras)? Is there anyone here so skilled? I'd be glad to hear what such a thing would cost me as well, as I'd like to get a print from a sharp image. Thanks!
Smiles,
Sooz
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I'm far from an expert, but if you still have Photoshop, you could select the dog and use the Filter menu. Choose Sharpen and go from there.
That's the best that I can do.
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Thanks for the suggestion, Jon, but I no longer have PS or access to it. Have a nice day!
Smiles,
Sooz
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I thought you now had PS Elements. Anyway, many graphics apps have a 'sharpening' tool. I doubt it will make you happy with its results, however. Most of them simply increase the contrast of fairly obvious 'borders' between colors/brightness areas. Blurred borders look that way because there is not much of a distinct difference between areas. Therefore, the software 'brain' can't do much to increase the focus. Perhaps, one day, the software will be better able to recognize all the animals/bodies/vehicles/stuff and 'doctor' the edges based on what they should look like. :wallbash: :nono:
OTOH, you might try some effects like posterize and end up with a suitable rendering, even if not a realistic one. :dntknw: Granted, the original here was not blurred. I simply applied some Gaussian Blur a couple of times. :blush-anim-cl:
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Hi, Jim and thanks for the examples using Zeus! I don't have PS Elements and really don't know anyone who does, which is why I was looking to hire someone if making the picture less fuzzy could be done. I was hoping for as near-realistic as possible. Thanks so much for the additional info, examples, and thanks to Zeus for posing!
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There are some tools out there to attempt to fix motion blur, but there's no guarantee they'll produce a usable result. One free one is: https://sourceforge.net/projects/deconvdemo/reviews - no idea how easy it is to use.
If the blur is bad, forget it - nobody can "fix" it. You could upload the pic here and we can render an opinion on fixability.
Both Affinity AND Pixelmator have free trials - fully functioning 30 day trials. Download one or both and see if either can fix the pic. If not, I suspect that you're out of luck.
BTW - Affinity Photo is very easy to use if you've used Photoshop. I'm all for encouraging the Adobe competitors.
Now I'm in a quandary...my 2014 iMac died the other day. Won't start, no way, no how. I suspect either a dead power supply or a dead logic board. I've ordered a new one, as I was thinking of getting something newer soonish anyway, though figured it would be to replace this 2012 Retina MBP with "screen rot" not the iMac! (The anti-glare is delaminating, which they had an extended warranty on until a couple of years ago, BEFORE mine started to go, of course.)
So my quandary revolves around the fact that CS6 apps won't work in Catalina. I either have to get the subscription to Lightroom/PS (GRRRRRRR) or make a really quick transition to Capture One and hope for the best. The MBP, while still very capable, has never been my weapon of choice for photo editing, though it's running Mojave and since LR is already installed, it still works. But it's not a long-term solution either.
I will get the old one diagnosed next week and if it's the power supply, great - will get it fixed as it's probably only about $200. It would buy me some time to decide what to do/make the transition, and then I can sell it or pass it on. But if it's the logic board? Well...maybe not. I've done some looking online, and because mine is a BTO 4Ghz model, guess what? The logic board + labour to install it costs almost as much as just buying a fully-functioning 2014 27" iMac. Unless my repair place has a cheaper source of logic boards, that is.
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I'd appreciate input on whether or not this photo is fixable to be less blurry...thanks!!!!
Smiles,
Sooz
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This is focus blur, not motion blur. The dog's head is not in focus, but some of the background is - not because the dog moved, but because either the dog was too close to the camera for it to focus (some point and shoots won't focus closer than about 4-5') or the camera goofed and chose the background instead of the foreground.
You can no doubt make it a bit sharper, but it won't be print quality. The problem is that no matter what you do, the eyes won't be in tack-sharp or even reasonable focus - and with a photo such as this, that is very noticeable. We are drawn to eyes - which is why some cameras actually have software that finds, focuses on and follows the eyes of the subject. (two of my Sonys do that - the newer version of one of my Sonys, which I don't own, also does it for animals)
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Instead of trying to get the face IN focus, I'd use some light blur on the rest of the image. It's a delightful image of a cute friend! I doubt that dog is still too long, anyway! I might even try to replace the pillow corner to further emphasize the dog from the background. :Thinking:
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Thanks Paddy and Jim for following up and adding suggestions! Yeah, I did want the eyes sharp... this is my darling little boy--always happy! I'm pretty sure I took this with my old Sony that I received as a gift in 2009.
Smiles,
Sooz
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Also late to this thread... I don't do much editing of photos, but when I do my needs are met by Graphic Converter (https://www.lemkesoft.de/en/products/graphicconverter/), which does so much more than convert!
It is shareware and has been going since 1992; you can download free for a trial. Price is 34.95 Euros / 39.95 USD. It can be bought through Apple. I prefer to buy apps direct if I can.
I've always appreciated that questions are answered quickly and I saw someone ask in the forum for a small change to meet his requirements and developer Thorsten Lemke had it in the app the next day.
THAT is what I call service :clap:
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Hi, Neil,
Thanks for the link to, and info about, Graphic Converter! That *is* amazing service re questions, answers, and a request for a small change in the app!
Smiles,
Sooz
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In case anyone wants to know more, here is a link to the Graphic Converter forum (https://www.lemkesoft.info/forum/viewforum.php?f=1)
Actually, having checked back, it was not quite as quick as I recalled. The request went on the forum on 23 Sept 2018 and the resulting change was uploaded on 26 September 2018: Thread link (https://www.lemkesoft.info/forum/viewforum.php?f=1)
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request went on the forum on 23 Sept 2018 and the resulting change was uploaded on 26 September 2018
THREE DAZE?!!! So sad... :rofl:
I use some niche (Mac only) [is that redundant?!] software (WX recording/data logging) by a fellow who has a real "day job". Guess he likes to put food on the table for his family? :dntknw: But I am amazed at people when some forum member complains that his favorite idea is not added to the app and anyone mentions that it's by far the best Mac app and the software is not the Dev's primary occupation. Nor has he ever asked for payment after the first version several years ago! :coolio: Plus, the forum where the poster complains is paid for by the Dev, whether you buy the app or not! :wallbash:
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Edited to remove an offer that was supposed to be limited to subscribers to a particular newsletter.
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Thanks for posting this, Jim. I have Luminar 1 but have never used it. So, I took advantage of this offer and downloaded and installed Luminar 3.
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Ive never used the app at all, but I thought of this thread when I read about “FREE”! :thumbup: Seems like several other devs have done this when they make major improvements. Sounds like a good way to introduce your work to new customers!