Newbie with.... well Newbie questions

[OpticalPrime]

well guys, bought my first SLR and lens over the weekend. Just waiting on them to get here and Im gonna go start playing. Since Im an amateur with no real training, Im literally just gonna be playing. I hope I can come up with some nice shots of the family that I can print out...

simple question for you guys, but means alot to me...

Iv never done anything with RAW pictures before, in fact Iv never really done much photo processing at all. I own Photoshop Elements 6 and CS3 for PC that my work "gave me" and sometimes just do the auto levels, contrast, etc... but nothing outside the AUTO stuff.... I own a PC and Mac btw....

what software program should I use? any plugins worth it? really Im clueless as to what to do after I snap the picture... so any help is greatly appreciated.

[sjordan]

Well if you are going to just edit photos I would suggest Lightroom. Its easier to use and understand for a newbie.

I almost never use auto anything in PS, but I do use it for adjusting levels when I can't get the picture the way I want it in lightroom.

I am not big on special effect plugins, so the only ones I use are aftermarked sharpeners. I do use a ton of actions in photoshop that I got from dpreview.com's forums.

[mmcaleer]

I have been in the same boat. The problem was not "which software to use" but "what workflow to follow". Everyone says to "use Photoshop", "use Aperture" or "use Lightroom". Ok, I have it, now what do I do with it? What should you do to all photo's to make them look better or "pop"? I found the best for me so far is to use Adobe's ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) in CS3 using the method/book that Jack Davis teaches. ACR works for JPEGs also. The book is "How to Wow". Here is the book. Great improvement in my work. Easy method to follow. Once I tackle this and understand what the tools are doing I can make my own workflow. Until then, I will stay with Jack's method.

I have been told that if you were just starting out and only had one software to purchase out of the big three, start with Photoshop. People who have Lightroom or Aperture almost always seem to also have Photoshop. There are things in Photoshop that Lightroom cannot do. Since you already have it, I would start with it. Why spend another $300-$400 when you don't have to.

My newbie Photoshop 2 cents.

Mike

[mmcaleer]

Originally Posted by sjordan

Well if you are going to just edit photos I would suggest Lightroom. Its easier to use and understand for a newbie.

I almost never use auto anything in PS, but I do use it for adjusting levels when I can't get the picture the way I want it in lightroom.

I am not big on special effect plugins, so the only ones I use are aftermarked sharpeners. I do use a ton of actions in photoshop that I got from dpreview.com's forums.

I believe ACR in Photoshop CS3 works the same way as Lightroom for the most part. You don't need to go into Photoshop either, unless you need or want to. Plus he already owns CS3.