As a digital photographer, you know that editing and post-production are essential steps to enhance your images and showcase your creative vision. But how do you choose the best tools for your workflow, style, and budget? In this article, you will learn some tips and criteria to help you make an informed decision.
Before you invest in any editing and post-production software or hardware, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your photography. Do you want to make simple adjustments, such as cropping, resizing, or color correction? Or do you want to create complex compositions, effects, or animations? Do you need to edit your photos on the go, or do you prefer to work on a desktop? Do you want to share your photos online, print them, or sell them? Your goals will determine what features and functions you need from your tools.
Since I started making photo images in 1967 I'm very old school. I once asked Ansel what he thought made for the most sucessful, original and connected photo image? He replied it would start with seeing the photo in your mind, then you would have to set your numbers, focus and principles based on your knowledge of light plus of photography and finally shoot at the decisive moment the image reveals! He said if the image captured is the image you visualized then that would be the most succesful! I am a SOOC art photographer ! SOOC means straight out of camera! No post production!! Made even more possible with the advent of Mirrorless Live View modern concept cameras! This is my SOOC LV art with no need to please others! Tom B
The key to mastering Photoshop and Lightroom is to use them regularly. If you don't, it can be difficult to remember all the features and tools necessary for retouching a photo. We recommend taking online lessons, which are readily available on platforms like YouTube. There are many post-production programs with AI that are more intuitive and easier to use.
Once you have defined your goals, you can start exploring different options for editing and post-production tools. There are many factors to consider, such as cost, compatibility, ease of use, performance, support, and reviews. You can use online resources, such as blogs, forums, videos, or tutorials, to learn more about the pros and cons of various tools. You can also try free trials or demos to test them out yourself. You should compare at least three options before making a final choice.
Another important criterion to consider is your skill level. You want to choose a tool that matches your current abilities and your desired learning curve. Some tools are more beginner-friendly, while others require more advanced knowledge and experience. You should also think about how much time and effort you are willing to spend on learning a new tool. If you are a hobbyist, you might prefer a simple and intuitive tool that lets you edit your photos quickly and easily. If you are a professional, you might need a more powerful and versatile tool that gives you more control and flexibility.
Your editing and post-production tools should also reflect your personal style and aesthetic preferences. You want to choose a tool that allows you to express your creativity and enhance your photos according to your vision. Some tools offer more presets, filters, or templates, while others let you customize every aspect of your editing process. You should also consider the genre and mood of your photography, and how your tools can help you achieve the desired look and feel.
Finally, you want to choose a tool that supports your workflow and integrates well with your other tools and platforms. You should consider how your tool handles different file formats, resolutions, and storage options. You should also think about how your tool connects with your camera, scanner, printer, or cloud service. You should also check how your tool updates, backs up, and protects your data. You want to choose a tool that makes your editing and post-production process smooth and efficient.
I love using Photo Mechanic for selection and captioning purposes and photoshop for editing. That's all. I am old style, I work on one photo at a time, even when its from a series of similar ones. I shoot RAW files only and I do nothing dramatic to them, the usual corrections. Slight cropping if necessary.
I'm "old school", like Stefan, and I used Photomechanic for selecting, renaming and captioning images, and Photoshop for editing. I have started (finally) using Lightroom for its ability to correct a large number of images at once. I have several colleagues who use Lightroom almost exclusively for all of the above. I do shoot Raw+Jpeg, the latter at the highest compression, because I often need to send photos directly to my camera for social media purposes.