I am also looking to put together photo slideshows with some video, kinda liking the look of ProShow Gold so far. Thanks!
Posted by Bill Chambers on January 24, 2012 at 11:22 AM
I don't use any upsizing software. I tried Geniuine Fractals but wasn't all that impressed. For noise reduction I use Noise Ninja, and have been pleased with it. For print sharpening I use PK Sharpener and have been VERY pleased. I don't use any filter plugins so I can't help there. I do use Tony Kuyper's actions and love them - highly recommend them. For stitching I use Autopano Pro - it does an excellent job, but I'm considering using PS for stitching as I've heard they've come a long way since I last tried it (back in CS2 days). Hope this helps.
Like Bill, I do not use any upsizing software. When I need noise reduction, which is infrequently, I use Neat Image or the noise filter in PS. For sharpening for the Web or prints, I use USM or Smart Sharpen in CS5. I do not use any filter or effects plugins. I'll also put in a plug for Tony Kuyper's PS actions--they are a real bargain, considering their capabilities. I haven't done any stitching or panos, and like Bill, I will use the tools in CS5 if needed.
In my opinion, I think it best to keep things simple. Learn and use the capabilities of your current image editing software and then purchase additional software if it is really needed.
--P
Posted by Wick Smith on January 24, 2012 at 12:08 PM
I'm now addicted to the Nik suite of products for noise reduction, B&W conversions, selective color enhancements, sharpening, etc. Every photo I take goes through Nik Viveza for just a bit of touch up then their Sharpener Pro 2. I have much more control there than with ACR. The HDR there is OK but with all the limitations software brings to the table with landscape photography. Beyond that, I am using the PS pano stitch software as it does a great job for the panos I have. I also use it for photo stacking for DOF blending and star trail blending.
Posted by Howard Cheek on January 24, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Genuine Fractals and the Viveza 2 plugin (Nik Selective Tool) are my most often used PS plugins David.
I offer a standardized image res on my automated website.
I offer images up to 16x24 and larger, so the GF is a must.
And the Nik selection tool has been a mainstay in my image processing.
Posted by Lance Warley on January 24, 2012 at 12:12 PM
I use Noiseware.
I watched Rob Sheppard's excellent tutorial for Nik Silver Efex 2. I probably would have bought it, but I couldn't get it running on my machine. It looks like a great product.
Posted by Mike Moats on January 24, 2012 at 12:57 PM
The best software on the planet, Nik Software, Color Efex Pro 4 and Viveza 2 are awesome.
Posted by Kate Silvia on January 24, 2012 at 2:44 PM
I use the NIK software constantly!! Not just for nature but for my portraits as well. It is wonderful, intuitive software that I seriously wonder what I ever did without it!!
Nowadays I use Lightroom for 90% of my post processing. That includes all NR and sharpening. The V4 beta is even better. For nuts and bolts work I haven't seen anything else work as easily and as effectively.
I was a corporate beta tester of the original Photoshop and have been using each version hence. It's gotten more powerful, complex, expensive, and irrelevant to most of the pure photography I do.
I do play around with NIK Silver Efex 2, but I'm more satisfied by the flexibility I obtain in LR and the presets I create and save.
For HDR the latest version of Photomatix works for me well enough and the slight automation with LR is OK.
For serious upsizing I trust my printer's skills; that's in part what I'm paying them for. Most of the online tests I've seen show no advantage provided by Perfect Resize (Genuine Fractuals) over CS5 these days. Actually Lightroom's adaptive upsampling routine is quite fine; you just cannot see a facsimile of the output on screen and that frustrates some users.
ME
Posted by David Mayhew on January 24, 2012 at 7:14 PM
Thanks for all the great suggestions. Should have mentioned that my platforms are LR, PS and Photomatix.
Intrigued by Tony Kuyper's PS actions & the Nik software, will check them out for sure.
Preston - I agree in keeping it simple, but if I don't look around once in a while I'd be left behind. If I had never looked I'd never have come across HDR which I use a decent amount now.
Posted by Nancy de Flon on January 24, 2012 at 7:51 PM
I have the Nik Suite and can promise that our friend Mike Moats (see above) sometiomes offers superb Webinars on using it.
Posted by Eva McDermott on January 24, 2012 at 10:58 PM
LR 3. (trial LR4 too)
PS CS5
NIk stuff but mainly Silver Efex Pro2 for B&W, Define2, and Sharpen Pro for printing
TK's Luminosity Layers
Silverfast Ai 8 for scanning film
Photo Quote
Photomatix and Nik HDR but rarely use either these days.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on January 24, 2012 at 11:19 PM
Another vote for Nik's Viveza 2 (thanks, Sandy). I also like and use selectively Picture Code's Noise Ninja. I work from a Mac using Aperture and Adobe CS5.
Posted by David Mayhew on January 25, 2012 at 2:45 PM
Great input - keep it coming!!
While we are on the subject anyone know how to do 360 Pans like the one linked below? I shoot the sky and this would be great for me. 360 Aurora Borealis
Posted by David Bostedo on January 25, 2012 at 5:46 PM
Discussion
15 replies- Upsizing software (Genuine Fractals etc)
- Noise Reduction
- Filter plugins for Photoshop/Lightroom.
- Stitching & Pano gear
I am also looking to put together photo slideshows with some video, kinda liking the look of ProShow Gold so far. Thanks!
Like Bill, I do not use any upsizing software. When I need noise reduction, which is infrequently, I use Neat Image or the noise filter in PS. For sharpening for the Web or prints, I use USM or Smart Sharpen in CS5. I do not use any filter or effects plugins. I'll also put in a plug for Tony Kuyper's PS actions--they are a real bargain, considering their capabilities. I haven't done any stitching or panos, and like Bill, I will use the tools in CS5 if needed.
In my opinion, I think it best to keep things simple. Learn and use the capabilities of your current image editing software and then purchase additional software if it is really needed.
--P
I offer a standardized image res on my automated website.
I offer images up to 16x24 and larger, so the GF is a must.
And the Nik selection tool has been a mainstay in my image processing.
I watched Rob Sheppard's excellent tutorial for Nik Silver Efex 2. I probably would have bought it, but I couldn't get it running on my machine. It looks like a great product.
I was a corporate beta tester of the original Photoshop and have been using each version hence. It's gotten more powerful, complex, expensive, and irrelevant to most of the pure photography I do.
I do play around with NIK Silver Efex 2, but I'm more satisfied by the flexibility I obtain in LR and the presets I create and save.
For HDR the latest version of Photomatix works for me well enough and the slight automation with LR is OK.
For serious upsizing I trust my printer's skills; that's in part what I'm paying them for. Most of the online tests I've seen show no advantage provided by Perfect Resize (Genuine Fractuals) over CS5 these days. Actually Lightroom's adaptive upsampling routine is quite fine; you just cannot see a facsimile of the output on screen and that frustrates some users.
ME
Intrigued by Tony Kuyper's PS actions & the Nik software, will check them out for sure.
Preston - I agree in keeping it simple, but if I don't look around once in a while I'd be left behind. If I had never looked I'd never have come across HDR which I use a decent amount now.
PS CS5
NIk stuff but mainly Silver Efex Pro2 for B&W, Define2, and Sharpen Pro for printing
TK's Luminosity Layers
Silverfast Ai 8 for scanning film
Photo Quote
Photomatix and Nik HDR but rarely use either these days.
While we are on the subject anyone know how to do 360 Pans like the one linked below? I shoot the sky and this would be great for me.
360 Aurora Borealis