topic Re: Photo editing software recommendations in Camera Software

Photo editing software recommendations

Tintype_18 — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:41:25 GMT

On another thread, it was mentioned about editing photos. My T7 and File Explorer allow some editing but would like to expand the capabilities. Did the usual search and came up with a list from the XX Best Free Editing Software. GIMP was mentioned a few times as the recommended software. Anyone use this? Seemed simple to use and free. Thanks.

Re: Photo editing

jrhoffman75 — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 16:55:59 GMT

Canon provides a free editing software called Digital Photo Professional that can be downloaded from the Canon support site. I have never used GIMP so I can’t compare the two. An advantage of DPP is that it will replicate what you see on the back of the camera; it recognizes all the camera settings.

Re: Photo editing

Tintype_18 — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 22:29:38 GMT

This old dog has learned a new trick. Many thanks.

Re: Photo editing

Tintype_18 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 15:13:58 GMT

Got Canon support but it says for several of the downloads that they are for RAW photos. I don't use RAW.

Re: Photo editing

ebiggs1 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 15:36:20 GMT

If you don't shoot Raw you really don't need any editing beyond cropping. Shooting jpg already says you are not interested in getting the best possible pictures. I use Photoshop and Lightroom. GIMP is a open source clone of PS. I find it more difficult to use than PS and it is more limiting in its ability. DPP4, Canon's own is restricted to Canon products so if you use a off brand lens it is not as useful.

You really need to rethink that, "I don't use RAW."

Re: Photo editing

jrhoffman75 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 16:13:47 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
If you don't shoot Raw you really don't need any editing beyond cropping. Shooting jpg already says you are not interested in getting the best possible pictures. I use Photoshop and Lightroom. GIMP is a open source clone of PS. I find it more difficult to use than PS and it is more limiting in its ability. DPP4, Canon's own is restricted to Canon products so if you use a off brand lens it is not as useful.

You really need to rethink that, "I don't use RAW."

"DPP4, Canon's own is restricted to Canon products so if you use a off brand lens it is not as useful"

The only thing you lose with a third party lens in DPP is the lens correction feature. All other aspects of the software are unaffected.

I can't speak for GIMP, but DPP, Lightroom and Photoshop will automatically and seamlessly open a RAW file, so I concur - really no reason not to use RAW.

Re: Photo editing

Tintype_18 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 16:25:31 GMT

Both cameras are Canon- EOS Rebel T7, Powershot SX530 HD.. Not all publilcations ask for RAW but some will take RAW and jpeg. T7 will take either or both. Two mentors have stated that editors will send photos to the art folks for editing. They don't edit photos.

ebiggs1, food for thought. Thanks. Need to justify the cost of editing software at this point.

Re: Photo editing

ebiggs1 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 18:46:47 GMT

"Not all publilcations ask for RAW but some will take RAW and jpeg."

I was involved with the publishing industry for 40 years. I know of none, at least that I was involved with, that did accept a Raw file. You can not view a Raw file it must be converted to jpg or tiff, etc, first.

All Raw conversion is done seamlessly now. No input from you. The editing abilities are fat greater though with a Raw file.

The industry standard is Photoshop but there are others that will work. DPP4 is one of them and a pretty good choice if real indepth editing is not needed.

Re: Photo editing

ebiggs1 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 18:49:17 GMT

"The only thing you lose with a third party lens in DPP is the lens correction feature. All other aspects of the software are unaffected."

As long as you shoot Raw you mean. You do lose some ability if it is a jpg not simply lens correction.

Re: Photo editing

Tintype_18 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:58:46 GMT

ebiggs1, my EOS Rebel T7 take both RAW and jpeg or as separate photos, depending on the camera setting. Just heard from a friend who Uses Photo Shop Elements 14. Will peruse through the possibilities and see what comes up.

Re: Photo editing

ebiggs1 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 22:27:39 GMT

" Just heard from a friend who Uses Photo Shop Elements 14."

PSE is a great editor for beginners. It has almost everything PS has and offers some other features it doesn't. Non-pro folks really like PSE.

I see no reason to shoot Raw+jpg. It just uses up your SF card faster.

Re: Photo editing

Tintype_18 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 23:13:40 GMT

This fellow isn't exactly a beginner as he has been writing and photograpy for many years. Has won several Excelence in Craft awards.

Now, down to brass tacks. I don't keep tons of photos on my camera and I keep extra cars in the backpack. I download each time I shoot a series which could b e every day. BTW, downloaded wife's phone once...300+ photos! Anyway, I'll play with the camera tomorrow and shoot in RAW and the combo setting to see what it's like. I take it that the verious software is for RAW and not jpeg/jpg?

My photos now go to Cloud which allows limited editing but I'm looking at the crisp deetail amd bold colors that I see in magazines. I "specialize" mainly in hunting and fishing publications but looking to expand. That's a way to say I want t make more $$$$!. ebiggs1, thanks for your help.

Re: Photo editing

ebiggs1 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 01:15:39 GMT

Good luck and let me know how you do and make out.

Re: Photo editing

Tintype_18 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 13:00:44 GMT

I found DPP4 last night but had an online meeting. Didn't know how long it would take to download. Taking some photos in RAW and RAW/jpg to see any difference but. will work on editing the RAW photos. I found a YT tutorial on anvigating the DPP4 last night. Thanks again!

Re: Photo editing

jrhoffman75 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 13:41:51 GMT

Here's a whole series of canon tutorial videos on DPP.

(4) Canon DPP 4 Tutorials - YouTube

Re: Photo editing

Tintype_18 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 13:52:03 GMT

Thanks. Will be spending part of this afternoon taking photos and downloading DPP4 and tutorials.

Many thanks to all for your recommendations, etc.

Re: Photo editing

ebiggs1 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 14:33:57 GMT

"Taking some photos in RAW and RAW/jpg to see any difference ..."

Remember DPP4 or any other editor is just another tool in the photographers arsenal. The more 'right' you get the settings in the camera the less editing you will need to do in DPP4. Although DPP4 and the others ignore all those settings. They are, however, used to make the display image you see on your monitor. You can not view a Raw file since it is essentially zeros and ones. Plus the editing latitude is great in Raw and the original file is never changed or altered. It should be saved in a safe place.

Re: Photo editing

jrhoffman75 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 14:48:10 GMT

I’m not aware of any camera settings that DPP ignores in the default state.

It is possible to configure DPP to override some settings on import. And some tools have finer adjustments in DPP; i.e. sharpness has decimal point steps compared to integer steps in the in-camera Picture Styles.

Re: Photo editing

Tintype_18 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 15:31:52 GMT

"You can not view a Raw file"

So how do you view it?

Just downloaded the DPP4 and have it saved as a Shortcut for convenience. When I pulled it up, it had downloaded a bunch of jpg photos that I have taken over the years!

Re: Photo editing

jrhoffman75 — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:06:23 GMT

@Tintype_18 wrote:
"You can not view a Raw file"
So how do you view it?
Just downloaded the DPP4 and have it saved as a Shortcut for convenience. When I pulled it up, it had downloaded a bunch of jpg photos that I have taken over the years!

"You can not view a Raw file"

So how do you view it?"

A RAW file needs to be processed before you can actually view it. That is what DPP does. In addition, your computer may have a "codec" for Canon RAW files; if so, them when you view the files in a folder the codec is showing you the JPEG file that is embedded in the RAW file.

" When I pulled it up, it had downloaded a bunch of jpg photos that I have taken over the years!"

DPP doesn't download files or import them into the software like Lightroom does. DPP simply located your Pictures folder and showed you what you had in the folder. That is important to remember, since if you connect your camera or cardreader to the computer DPP might see those devices and allow you to edit the images, but if you save them they won't be saved on your computer.

In an earlier post you mentioned that you don't keep a lot of images on your camera. I suggest you download any images you took to your computer at the end of the day. A camera is not a place to be storing images.