So...after years of being hobby-less, I have decided to pick up photography as my new passtime. I've spent two years fiddling around with my first DSLR and am just confident enough to start shooting outside of the little green box. My question is...how do people afford this? I know plenty of blogging Momma's walking around with 3-4K worth of photography gear, but that's just not realistic for me! Then one of the best photographers I have ever met uses some pretty basic eqipment and gets the VERY BEST results I have ever seen. Conundrum? Oui!
The software needed to post process photos seems to be more like a puzzle...which programs work best with which operating systems. Then which program complements another, which has one thing that the one you thought had everything doesn't actually have, unless of course you have the upgraded version, the free downloadable add on .....ugh, I'm confused already.
So...input please. I have a VERY basic version of photoshop...Photoshop 7. Do I need Photoshop Lightroom? Do I need the fancier version of PS7 - CS4? Who freaking knows. I'm taking two photography classes this summer, and I REALLY want to have the right programs in place so that I'm not behind.
I'm also thankfull to a really talented Minneapolis photographer who has been giving me advice on the side. She's amazing, and if you live in the Twin Cities, get her to take photos of your kids...she is amazing!
So, I'm asking for advice..
10 comments:
Wow, those are some really spectacular photos in that link. I wish I could take pictures like that.
i'm as clueless as you on the computer end, as i sit here with Aperture 2 (a $250 dollar mac program that rivals the latest adobe photoshop, and it's so complicated i've yet to figure it out)...
and you know the camera i have... bit of a disappointment for all the hype about it.
Sorry I can't afford nothing either! I don't even have photoshop-Maybe one day!
I just ordered Lightroom 2. I have Photophop Essentials 6 but am clueless. Since out class in June says LR2 that's what I bought
You are too kind Haley!! All we have is just Picasa...nothing special and it is free! We have yet to splurge on any fancy software packages!
Hi,
Your photos are great. I use Photoshop Elements 7 it is the baby brother of Photoshop and has all the same things. Their are some great online course for it.
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I know where you are and I'm equally clueless. I have photoshop elements and have NO clue. I did however get Lightroom 2 yesterday (academic version) since that's what we'll be learning in June. I'm even more of a novice than you are but I do love it so. I am finding my favorite non-kit lens so far is my 50mm 1.8 which was under $100 (Canon). It's a wonderful prime and great for portraits. It is a costly hobby. I find I am stalking pregnant women and infants trying to have subjects less wriggly and more cooperative than you-know-who.
I say don't go overboard buying equipment or programs. Fiddle with what you have. My experience is you can do plenty with some very basic stuff. (that said, I am lazy as all getout...that's just my MO. So take what I say with a grain of salt. I don't like reading manuals. I don't like taking courses. I prefer to wing it and see what I can do.)
I'll be interested in any advice too... I'm in the same position. I've signed up for some courses to fiddle around... but I only have the most basic of cameras and I can't afford a lot of lenses, etc. I also need to buy some version of photoshop in the near future as well....
I think this is like the guy's hobby of golf... It seems like it wouldn't be expensive, BUT....
I wanted to let you know that Lightroom 2 sales for $299. on the Adobe website but if you have a student in college (or know one real well) or are a teacher, family member or close friend that is a teacher that will let you use their use their name and get a little info from them about the school they teach at, then you can purchase it for $99. You may already know this or you may have already bought Lightroom by now. I just purchased it for $99. using my youngest son's college ID. Just thought I would pass on this tidbit of info to you.
Have a great weekend!
Kim
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