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Updated: 2018-01-30
If your photo presentation objective is posting to the web or making small
prints for an album then image processing or "post processing" may be
of little
interest. You will be using JPGs straight from the camera and in-camera
processing (which can be very good) has already been applied.
Those to whom the best image quality is important will probably be using
something better than a shirt-pocket camera and will want to supplement
in-camera processing with imaging software running on their computers. They
might even shoot RAW images optionally produced by more sophisticated cameras and do all
the processing themselves. This isn't as time-consuming as it sounds because most
imaging software includes batch features to automate large volume work.
Besides, it's fun. If you are serious about your photography you will enjoy
making your pictures look the best they can be. In-camera processing is always a
"one size fits all" compromise.
There's a huge amount of good "digital darkroom" software out there these days and
the choice depends - like camera choice - on what you want to accomplish. The
rest of this article comprises an account of personal experiences and choices. I
recognize that one man's meat is another's poison and that what works best for
me may not for many others.
Paintshop
Pro (by Corel who acquired it several years ago as a result of buying out JASC):
Easily my #1 choice for post-RAW processing.
Comprehensive image processing with excellent sharpening
algorithms, sophisticated noise reduction, perspective correction and most of the
other things you'd expect. If the comprehensive suite of
built-in controls isn't enough for you, it accepts the same plugins as Adobe Photoshop.
This is the product most frequently compared to
Photoshop and it's 1/10 the cost - or less - with a more generous license. Many similarities to Photoshop, including
much of the user interface. If you already know how to use Photoshop or
Paintshop, you have most of the skills needed to use the other. Straightforward and intuitive in operation.
A fantastic template feature makes it trivially easy to size images to any
required print format and position (wonderful for
greeting cards). There's a powerful
scripting and batch feature for dealing with large numbers of images which I
find superior to Photoshop "Actions". The system
can learn any series of keystrokes and then save these for later automated use.
Very nice. Scripts are saved in plain text format so you can easily edit them.
You can edit images right down to the pixel level and, yes, there are
layers. Has recently been extensively improved to provide asset
management and 48 bit image support for all photographic functions. Provides text and drawing
functions. Numerous special effects such as posterization, embossing etc.
Compatible with .8bf plug-ins designed for Photoshop. Has a
potentially very useful facility for user designed filters if you understand
something about signal processing. Supports RAW and an astounding number of additional
image file formats so it's great for conversions although there are better RAW
editors out there. The template driven print facility is worth the
price alone. The product is distributed in both 32 and 64 bit versions.
The most serious shortcoming of Paintshop for some potential users is that
Mac/Apple are not supported. This is strictly a Windows product.
Adobe Photoshop:
Sometimes regarded as not just "The Standard" but "The Environment".
It thrives in an oppressive atmosphere of hype and presumption. The product is
so dominant that any sort of photo editing by any means is often called
"Photoshopping". There are the less costly Elements and
Lightroom (also from Adobe) but you lose a lot of desireable functionality. Quite frankly,
Photoshop is shameless bloatware, difficult to learn, easy to
forget. It can, however, do just about anything and has come to dominate the
image processing environment in much the same way Wintel dominates the PC market.
Recently, Adobe has been pushing its controversial Creative Cloud concept and a
subscription model for support.
SILKYPIX
Developer (Ichikawa Soft Laboratories):
Intended initially as a RAW developer this program
provides additional features with each new release. These include sophisticated controls for sharpening, noise reduction, chromatic
aberration removal and much more. Has a good batch feature. Processing
profiles can be saved in a library and recalled later. Supports 48 bit images in
all functions. It can crop and print but the print facility is a bit bare-bones.
Not just for RAW format files. Also handles TIFF and JPEG. Noise reduction
feature could be improved - it's not the most suitable for really noisy images
but fine for mild noise reduction. Very easy to learn and use. The manual is in
laughable "Japlish" but you probably won't need it. Absolutely stunning,
flexible user interface supports having as many function windows visible as you
want and have room for. Continuous zoom control is a pleasure to use. Ships free with some Panasonic
cameras. Bug-free so far
as I can tell. Excellent lens distortion and perspective controls. Has a
powerful highlight controller, histogram adjustments and much more.
Picture Window (Digital Light
and Color): This might be all you ever need. More deserving of
attention than it gets. Full 48 bit support, print
templates (almost as good as Paintshop) and slick
workflow management utilizing unique "pipeline" concept. Could use much more sophisticated noise processing
- not very good for noisy images. Can draw text. Supports RAW. I find the user
interface a bit awkward but most love it. Looks and feels as if designed by a
photographer for photographers. Prompt, expert online support from the developers by
means of vendor forum. Very solid, no important bugs discovered so far. Almost
no additional features such as comprehensive drawing functions etc. but why pay
for these if you don't need them?
DXO
(2010):
This is a very
interesting product because the developers model specific lenses and camera
bodies, then design algorithms to "back out" any distortions and imperfections
... all automatically because it identifies lenses used and settings from
the EXIF file produced by the camera and stored with each image. For the most part, this works and is a time
saver although the effect can be duplicated in other products
with a bit of effort. The
interface takes some getting used to and it's annoying how it does not provide a
thumbnail preview of images while clicking through a folder. Furthermore, the
various processing effects are inconveniently not invoked unless you zoom in on
an image past about 80%. Rather large number of glitches like preview
images sometimes not appearing, panning control mysteriously de-activating and a
couple of application crashes. Quirky command responses such as double-clicking
an image name does not automatically load it - you must click "Add".
Very good keystone correction and noise reduction. No print facility(?). I was always able to achieve a visibly
superior result using other products but in fairness to
DXO, cannot say I used it long enough to truly master all its capabilities.
Definitely worth a try, especially if you interchange lenses often and would
benefit from having distortions automatically fixed in batch processing of a
large number of images.
A possibly significant drawback to the product is shortage of manual/generic correction
controls for use with unsupported lenses and cameras. If your camera and/or lens
are not specifically supported you may not be able to apply more than a few very
basic adjustments. DXO appears to target the high volume pro photographer who needs
automated processing of a huge number of images taken with a multitude of
supported lenses and cameras
the developers have chosen to model. Outside this need you may find something
else far more flexible and useful. Unless I have really missed the point, this
is a rather specialized product.
Capture NX:
This is for Nikon owners and often highly recommended. Somewhat bare-bones. I have tried it a couple
of times and it's very good but could find no advantages over what I
already use and enjoy. Capture NX has lately been included free with some
high-end Nikons so if you don't already have a good RAW converter/processor you
should give this a try.
Phase One /
Capture One Pro: This package may have the best RAW converter money
can buy. Furthermore, its controls provide most of the image editing
features the serious photographer could ever want. Highlight recovery
borders on the miraculous, enabling you to produce masterpieces from
images you'd otherwise want to discard. Does not support plugins meaning
some potential users might find the feature set limiting but really - it
can do just about anything you actually need. A nice feature is that, once
you are done making your adjustments it can optionally launch any other
image processing package (like Paintshop Pro) for you to finish up in,
including making use of all those plugins. So, it's fair to say plugins
actually are supported, if indirectly.
Excellent color management with profiles for each make/type of camera
- not something you are likely to find with most other editing programs.
Has a somewhat complicated and initially baffling user interface that
takes getting used to. It's image organization scheme requires use of
"catalogs" or "sessions" where images and various control files are
stored. This adds some extra steps to your workflow but once you become
comfortable with the process you'll appreciate the benefits.
Topaz Labs:
Excellent suite of plugins covering noise reduction, sharpening and
multi-level color/contrast/brightness editing. Includes a refocusing
tool but it's not as good as Focus Magic. There's much, much more best
reviewed by visiting their site.
Beginning 2017 the offering has been
re-packaged as "Studio" which can run stand-alone as well as a plugin.
Evidently, Topaz is now aiming to offer a comprehensive imaging package
that's more than just plugins. Nicely executed with a novel and
convenient support mechanism relieving the user of doing manual
updates. A new "Clarity" feature provides superb image contrast
management. Highly recommended. Just bear in mind that for now, at
least, you will need something in addition if for no other reason than
to print.
NeatImage:
Very good noise reduction program. Can be installed as plugin for popular image
processing software such as Photoshop and Paintshop or used stand-alone. I
prefer this to Noise Ninja but that may be only a matter of having obtained it
first and being more familiar with the settings. Give Ninja a chance. Remarkably
effective while having minimal effect on image detail. Works with 16 bit/channel
TIFFs and various other formats, including JPEG. No RAW support (although if
using as a plugin it will process RAWs opened by the host software).
Noise Ninja:
Another popular noise reduction program. Provides (and allows you to build)
noise filters matched to specific cameras, lenses, sensors and camera settings.
The developer understands and makes proper use of advanced signal processing theory.
Works with 48 bit images. Drawback: cannot process RAW files - needs TIFF - so
you have to convert first from RAW.
PixelFixer:
If you have bothersome hot sensor pixels this product does what its name suggests. It's
free but don't be a leech - send the author a donation. PixelFixer is fast, easy
to use, supports a large number of camera bodies and incorporates a data base
for pixel maps so you can easily use it with multiple camera bodies. Also
supplied is a pixel map editor for making manual corrections. These days we
don't seem to get corrupted pixels in our sensors but this product will do the
job for older units such as the Nikon D80 (mine had several bad pixels).
Focus Magic:
Unusual and sometimes very useful piece of software. FM employs
proprietary algorithms to "back out" focusing errors and motion blur.
(This is not the same thing at all as conventional sharpening.) Providing the
correction needed is not too large this can work surprisingly well. You
can sometimes even salvage a quite respectable image from one you might
otherwise discard because it is hopelessly blurred. Display manipulation
(zoom, etc) essentially non-existent. Can be installed as a plug-in for
Adobe and Paintshop. In this mode it supports any file format, of course. Most useful on images where focusing and/or
stabilization just slightly off but ... I once used FM to correct a 30 second
unguided comet image for quite long star-trails resulting from rotation of the
earth. It worked almost to perfection. Not quite the miracle worker the
company claims it to be but very useful just the same.
Inexpensive and well worth having in your photo toolkit for those
occasions when nothing else can save the day.
Powerretouche:
Comprehesive suite of plugins developed by well-known artist Jan Esmann.
The best sharpening and dynamic range editing tools I have ever come
across. Some of the plugins such as "Black Definition" can make dramatic
improvements to photographs and there are no equivalents from anyone
else. You can purchase individual plug-ins but cost for the entiire
suite is very reasonable. 64/32 bit editions available. You benefit from the eye of the
artist.
JAlbum: Slideshow/gallery
generator for the Web. Platform independent (JAVA based). Free (although they appreciate
donations)! Includes some useful image processing. If you want to present
slideshows and galleries of your work on the Web this is a great way to do it.
Dead simple to use yet produces slick looking results. You will find examples on
this site. Remarkably good at maintaining appearance of your images despite
compression needed for Web. This is important because it's very easy to lose
image quality when preparing for network distribution. Includes library of attractive styles and presentation modes with
numerous options to enhance the appearance and accessibility of your work. It
even includes a visitor guestbook and hooks for selling your pictures. You generate and test your slideshow locally,
then publish it to a web site. If you are using MS Expression Web you simply
drag the slideshow album from your local h/d to anywhere appropriate on your
open Web site and make a link to the index page. Couldn't be easier and looks
fantastic.
Challenges the theory "you get what you pay for".
Perfectly Clear:
Curiously expensive plugin at $200 but might be worth it. Comes for free
with Paintshop Pro. Since you can get the latter for $41 from some
sources this is a great bargain. This is intended primarily as a
one-step image improver but there are manual controls if you want to
customize the processing. Works surprisingly well, especially if you
prefer images on the dramatic side when it comes to color and contrast
and you don't want spend the time tweaking ever photo on your own. In
Paintshop you could write a script to duplicate what Perfectly Clear
does but scripts (or Photoshop Actions, for that matter) are much less
convenient to customize.
Not doing regular, disciplined backup risks losing your life's work.
There are numerous choices in backup software. If your needs are
simple and you don't have many image files then simple drag-and-drop
from one drive to a backup may suffice. The problem is that this soon
becomes tedious with all the requests asking if you want to replace
existing files having the same names as those you are dragging. Backup
software is inexpensive and a big time-saver. I have used the following.
If you want to know more, follow the links:
Genie:
Popular, highly rated
- Backs up open files
- Network capable
- Not needed to do a restore (you can drag files using Explorer)
- Numerous options for encryption, event triggered backup, etc.,
etc.
- If doing "mirror" backups (the type I usually need), cannot
handle the situation where the target drive letter has changed and
will produce a whole new backup from scratch rather than just
backing up changes to an existing set. Note that drive letters are apt to
change once in awhile if you are using external USB units.
Goodsync: My
personal favorite
Pros:
- Native format backup - not needed to restore.
- Backs up open files.
- Network capable.
- Easily handles changed drive letters with minimal manual
intervention.
- Exceptionally easy to setup and use.
Cons:
- Doesn't have a cloner (I use AOMEI see following).
AOMEI Backupper:
This is a great utility comprising backup and cloning services.
Cloning is the best way to backup your system drive because the copy is
bootable. If your system drive fails or is corrupted, just pop in the
clone and you are good to go without having to re-install your operating
system and applications.
Pros:
- The drive cloner is unusual in that it runs as a Windows
application rather than stand-alone (like Acronis and others). You can keep
using your PC while it runs - a big advantage since cloning can be
time-consuming. Every other cloner I've come across requires taking
over your PC in stand-alone mode.
- Very attractive and intuitive user interface.
Cons:
- Can't comment on the backup feature because of insufficient
experience. I use the cloner regularly and the product is worth the
reasonable cost just for this.
Choose something that can produce a
conventionally structured backup that's the same as your original folder
structure. That way you don't need the backup program to restore
parts or all of your source. Some backups provide only an
encoded output which requires the backup software for any restore. The
advantage is that they can provide more options/automation for restore
but the drawback is you might be stuck if you lose the program itself.
There should, at least, be a "native structure/format" option
or a stand-alone recovery option that's stored with the backup.
Being able to
handle changed drive letters may be
essential if you use external drives. If you don't use externals
or never re-plug your USB devices this is a non-issue.
If you have a LAN, make sure the product
supports network acces and/or network drives. Most do but some
only if you purchase a higher-end version.
The best way to backup your Operating
System drive is by cloning. (Some backup packages include a
cloner but others do not.)
Acronis is
often named the gold standard for cloning and other backups. I haven't
used it in some time so shouldn't comment too much on what it might be
able to do today. Definitely have a look because it must be popular for
a reason. What I disliked was that the cloner has to run stand-alone
which deprives you of access to your PC until it's finished and cloning
can take a couple of hours. The AOMEI cloner runs as a Windows
application which suits me better. Of course, you could always run
Acronis after-hours and have it shut down your PC when it's finished.
There's much, much more as any web search will show you. The products
described here are either ones I own and use or have tested over a significant
period of time. Adobe Photoshop is a great package, some of my criticisms
notwithstanding, but
to me just not good value because you can get as good or better results at far
lower cost with a couple of the products in the list above - Paintshop Pro and
Capture One especially.
For the casual photographer or snapshooter there's plenty of freeware
out there. Google offers "Picasa" and under GNU license there's "GIMP". I have
tried and do not like either. There's not much in these for the
advanced photographer (although GIMP is getting better) but they do offer basic editing functions, slideshows and
album builders. Worth a try if you really do not want to get involved with
extensive digital darkroom activity and - the price is right. Picasa
offers a great service for image sharing on the Web. You will certainly run into
the popular "Flickr" and its competitors. I don't care for the advertising or
image presentation properties of these services but they obviously respond to a
need and many are happy with them.
I have a lot of experience with many imaging processing resources and
have settled on the following.
- Capture One Pro with Paintshop
Pro for all image editing, including RAW/NEF conversions.
- Topaz Studio, Powerretouch and Focus
Magic plugins.
- QImage (see eslsewhere) for
printing.
Don't hesitate experimenting with other choices or recommendations.
Much will depend on what you want to achieve, which will involve
personal factors.
RAW (or NEF in
the case of Nikon) is an unprocessed image format straight from the camera's
sensor and is specific to the particular make and even model of camera. The
appearance of a RAW image is determined only by the exposure (shutter
and aperture settings) and the native characteristics of the sensor itself.
All in-camera processing is bypassed (exception: Sony "Alpha's" apparently
apply some noise reduction - a controversial decision). Cameras
providing RAW do so as an option and will usually produce in-camera processed
JPEG or TIFF images simultaneously. That way you have all the bases covered
although it does chew up memory card storage.
Photographers
interested in producing the very finest images from their cameras process RAW to
their taste. When a new camera comes out its RAW format may take some time to
find its way into the support list of a particular piece of imaging software if
it has unique properties. SILKYPIX is very fast to respond (a few days) while Paintshop
can be slow.
Photoshop users report
good response and Picture Window is prompt. Cameras providing RAW always ship with an included RAW
downloader/converter (typically to TIFF) but its best if your software can work
with the RAW prior to any format conversion.
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