Photo Editting Software Choice

[happos2]

I am new to the camera scene and shooting a D7000. I have some nice quality RAW photos that I would like to learn to edit. What software to you suggest to run (between Lightroom and Aperture)? I have a 2009 Macbook Pro with 8 gig of RAM and 120 gb SSD (1 TB external storage). This will be a hobby but I look to spend some time learning the program.

Thanks for you suggestions!

[Billup]

I hear a lot of people really like Lightroom for their editing in RAW.

I am an amateur and use Photoshop CS6.

[justanotherdude]

I use Lightroom and GIMP (Freeware).

[happos2]

I have only heard good things about Lightroom. I plan on doing some more research in the next couple of days. I was just curious of what is used around this forum.

Thanks for the responses!

[druu]

I use lightroom and PS for everything. Lightroom is awesome because it lets you batch process files very easily. It also has profiles for nearly every camera and lens combination that you can use.

[efrainruiz]

LR and PS combo.

[ddk632]

Lightroom for organizing, basic/medium editing such as white balance and tone adjustments, PhotoShop for more advanced stuff such as merging panoramas, HDR's, merging multiple bracketed exposures as blended layers, etc.

I'd say since I started using Lightroom about 95% of my photo post-processing has been in Lightroom.

The latest version even does chromatic abberation removal, which used to be solely a PhotoShop domain.

So you can get away with Lightroom for most everything but not 100% of everything and eventually having Photoshop will be very useful.

Never used Aperture so can't comment on it compared to any other software.

[happos2]

Looks like I will be going the Lightroom software way. Once I start to master that, I may look into PS and start getting more hardcore.

I appreciate the Feedback from all. It essentially falls in line with what the reviews have said online!

[happos2]

So I have LR now!! Unfortunately, I have no idea what a lot of the controls do. I just click things until it looks good to me. I would like to purchase a book that kind of explains things so I understand what I am doing rather than just clicking away. Does anyone have any suggestions for LR? I was thinking:

The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter) by Scott Kelby.

[ddk632]

Scott Kelby is great and easy to read. I haven't read this particular book, but I've read others of his work and I like his style. I'd say yes to this one.

[happos2]

Originally Posted by ddk632

Scott Kelby is great and easy to read. I haven't read this particular book, but I've read others of his work and I like his style. I'd say yes to this one.

Thanks for the input!

[M_Six]

You might want to look into joining NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals). It's like $99/yr and includes 10 issues of their Photoshop User magazine (which is very good and also covers Lightroom stuff). Plus they have tons of Scott Kelby's tutorials (he owns NAPP) and other tutorials, plus discounts from Adorama and B&H. It's seriously worth the money just for the tutorials alone.

[happos2]

Originally Posted by M_Six

You might want to look into joining NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals). It's like $99/yr and includes 10 issues of their Photoshop User magazine (which is very good and also covers Lightroom stuff). Plus they have tons of Scott Kelby's tutorials (he owns NAPP) and other tutorials, plus discounts from Adorama and B&H. It's seriously worth the money just for the tutorials alone.

Awesome. Will need to look into this!