Where to begin in post processing photos.

[AirtrafficController]

I had recently gotton a new camera and I am looking forward of how to post process my photos. I have Canon Digital Photo professinal.
Can anyone assist me?

[nwafan20]

Get Photoshop, doesn't matter how, just get it.

[emshighway]

Go to one of the computer shows. You can pick up photoshop cheap.

http://www.tri-statefairs.com/

[Mellyrose]

Do you have MS Paint? That should do it.

[stuart schechter]

Do you have MS Paint? That should do it.

So simple Mel!

Hey kid, I uh.. got a photoshop come to my car with me.

[nwafan20]

Do you have MS Paint? That should do it.

I really HOPE that was a joke... As a photographer, if it wasn't I would be worried...

[Mellyrose]

Honestly, all of my JP and Anet uploads were accepted using MS paint. What's the issue?

[NIKV69]

Get Photoshop, doesn't matter how, just get it.

Get Photoshop, doesn't matter how, just get it.

This is very good advice and I would follow it.

all of my JP and Anet uploads were accepted using MS paint. What's the issue?

I don't think it's an issue Mel, and that is a nice accomplishment. I think what he meant was if someone is going to seriously pursue taking pictures and then editing them MS Paint is not the way to go. There is a reason PS dominates not only av-photo but photo editing in general.

I would try to get a copy of CS2. Which has the raw plug in. From there it is up to you how far you go and learn to use PS. Shooting in raw may seem intimidating but if you take the time to learn to use it and how to process it the results are worth it.

[Mellyrose]

all of my JP and Anet uploads were accepted using MS paint. What's the issue?

I don't think it's an issue Mel, and that is a nice accomplishment. I think what he meant was if someone is going to seriously pursue taking pictures and then editing them MS Paint is not the way to go. There is a reason PS dominates not only av-photo but photo editing in general.

I would try to get a copy of CS2. Which has the raw plug in. From there it is up to you how far you go and learn to use PS. Shooting in raw may seem intimidating but if you take the time to learn to use it and how to process it the results are worth it.

Yeah, MS Paint is tough to edit with. But have you guys tried v8.5? ;)




















:roll:

[AirtrafficController]

I also have Corel Paint Shop Pro

Thanks for the answers but where do I begin in making the photos look better?

noise removal etc...

[Mellyrose]

OK...game is over. First of all, for everyone who thought I was serious, you should know better! :lol:

And...I don’t even HAVE MS Paint! I have a Mac and MS=Microsoft.

I pretty much live in Photoshop with everything I do (photography, retouching, aviation, etc) and I can help you learn the tools, but the first step is to get the software. Let me know when that happens, and I’ll be more than happy to do so. :)

If you CAN get CS2, that would be best...but I don't know if you'd be shotting RAW so if it's easier and quicker to get your hands on a copy of PS7 or CS, do that first.

[NIKV69]

OK before this thread goes any more off topic I will answer your question. I am assuming you are going to use PS and you shot in jpeg mode with the biggest file you could for quality. From there you should..

1. Open the pic in PS.
2. Level (If needed) There are many ways but to start use rotate image (arbitrary). With the grid on you should see if it's needs any rotation.
3. Crop the pic, Keep it simple and use 3 to 2 in the boxes above. Make sure the aircraft is centered properly. With many of the things in PS it's a ton of trial and error.
4. re-size, for you in the beginning keep it smallest possible so flaws are not readily visable. 1000 is good 1024 max. PS will pick the rest. Usually 1024 by 683.
5. Once you get the pic back to 100% view you have to find any dust spots and fix them. Clone tool is best as this does not give the pic the look that it is over processed.
6. Adjust the levels a little if needed.
7. Give the Hue and Saturation a little boost.
8. Sharpen
9. Save at the highest quality


This is a bit vague and is based on a good capture that doesn't need any color, white balance or contrast work but if you want a great guide to get you started here you go.

http://www.airliners.net/addphotos/PsProc.pdf

[AirtrafficController]

thanks guys and gals

[nwafan20]

OK before this thread goes any more off topic I will answer your question. I am assuming you are going to use PS and you shot in jpeg mode with the biggest file you could for quality. From there you should..

1. Open the pic in PS.
2. Level (If needed) There are many ways but to start use rotate image (arbitrary). With the grid on you should see if it's needs any rotation.
3. Crop the pic, Keep it simple and use 3 to 2 in the boxes above. Make sure the aircraft is centered properly. With many of the things in PS it's a ton of trial and error.
4. re-size, for you in the beginning keep it smallest possible so flaws are not readily visable. 1000 is good 1024 max. PS will pick the rest. Usually 1024 by 683.
5. Once you get the pic back to 100% view you have to find any dust spots and fix them. Clone tool is best as this does not give the pic the look that it is over processed.
6. Adjust the levels a little if needed.
7. Give the Hue and Saturation a little boost.
8. Sharpen
9. Save at the highest quality


This is a bit vague and is based on a good capture that doesn't need any color, white balance or contrast work but if you want a great guide to get you started here you go.

http://www.airliners.net/addphotos/PsProc.pdf

I would HORRIBLY disagree!!!!

Everything should be done BEFORE resizing!!! That is how you maintain the best quality after resizing

So:

Make level (arbitrary via the measuring tape tool)
Crop (3 in 2 in ratio please)
If you don't have a 400D (:D) dust spots
Levels (drag the right bar all the way to the beginning of the graph, if that makes sense)
Curves (if you are familiar with them, if not, skip it)
Shadow/highlights as necessary
Bump up the contrast
Add a little saturation
Sharpen
Size - 1280 wide for personal use, 1024 wide for web use, none if you want to be able to adjust things later (At least thats what I follow by)
Save - highest quality, DO NOT OVERWRITE THE ORIGINAL FILE!!!

[PhilDernerJr]

nwafan20, I agree with Nick. The editing done to the photo is done optimally with the existing pixel layout. Sharpening and then resizing means that your sharpening was done with different pixels. Maintaining quality in that way is simply not true.