DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> 1st post..many ?'s
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 25 of 35, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 01/23/2007 08:44:42 AM · #1
I just joined today, and was hoping that being in the company of so many great photographers would rub off on me. I have always been interested in photography, but could never afford a good camera, a friend recently got a new camera and gave me her old one. I don't know anything about it, but i'm having fun learning.
1) I want some good photo editing software, what should I get? I can't afford photoshop, but could do the something for about 100 dollars any suggestions?
2)I wanted to post some photos, can anyone direct me to where I can learn how to post on this site...how to do the thumbnail, pic size ect.
3)I'm trying to understand the "golden rules"/rule of three's/golden triangel, where can I post those photos that I want to see if they stand up to the rule of three's? I think I understand but want someone to verify it for me.

Thats it for now...I know I will think of more..
Dessie
01/23/2007 08:53:54 AM · #2
My answer to question #1 is to score a version of Photoshop Elements 2.0 on ebay. You should be able to get it for under $20 shipped. I have tried versions 3-5 and still end up going back to 2.0. I think its the best deal you can get out there (unless you want free - but $20 is darned close to free when you look at the prices of the pro versions).
 01/23/2007 08:56:06 AM · #3
answer to question #2: get a membership, then you can upload photos.
 01/23/2007 09:02:24 AM · #4
Originally posted by biteme:
answer to question #2: get a membership, then you can upload photos.

This would be an answer to #3 as well. You can also link from another site. I am not sure how to do that, so go back to answer #2 and it can all be taken care of.

Welcome and good luck with your DPC experience! It is highly addictive!
 01/23/2007 09:09:10 AM · #5
#3 = try this search...

Rule of Thirds

01/23/2007 01:03:06 PM · #6
Originally posted by timfythetoo:
Originally posted by biteme:
answer to question #2: get a membership, then you can upload photos.

This would be an answer to #3 as well. You can also link from another site. I am not sure how to do that, so go back to answer #2 and it can all be taken care of.

Welcome and good luck with your DPC experience! It is highly addictive!


You can host photos on another (free) site, for example www.photobucket.com/. Then to link to images, with a thumbnail, you first need to create a thumbnail-sized version yourself - you can host that in the same place. Then its just a case of nested forum code - the best way to do it is to click the "insert image" button above where you write your forum message (3rd along), and enter the url of the thumbnail. That gives you something like {img}http//mysite.photobucket.com/myimage{/img} (made up url, and it will have square brackets not curly ones)

Then copy this expression, click "insert hyperlink", enter the url of the large photo, then when it asks for the text for your link paste the {img}xxx{/img} expression

Think that works, hope it makes sense. There must be somewhere in an faq that explains it better. Will check back tomorrow to check you got it sorted :)
 01/23/2007 01:06:06 PM · #7
Just doing a check ...ignore!
 01/23/2007 02:34:03 PM · #8
Here is a link to a thread where I describe how I post images from photobucket.com and flickr.

Posting Photos

Tim
 01/23/2007 02:42:56 PM · #9
Welcome to the site Dessie!
 01/23/2007 03:39:41 PM · #10
Originally posted by timfythetoo:
My answer to question #1 is to score a version of Photoshop Elements 2.0 on ebay. You should be able to get it for under $20 shipped. I have tried versions 3-5 and still end up going back to 2.0. I think its the best deal you can get out there (unless you want free - but $20 is darned close to free when you look at the prices of the pro versions).


This is my recommendation as well. Elements 3 is still okay, and it has the "Healing Brush". Once you advance a little bit, there are "hidden tools" that put Elements quite a bit closer to Photoshop. You can do a HUGE percentage of things with Elements.
 01/23/2007 03:48:13 PM · #11
If you need a good free image editor.. try GIMP! Its absolutely free and powerful. Plus, you can download straight from the web!
 01/23/2007 03:51:11 PM · #12
Originally posted by jfriesen:
If you need a good free image editor.. try GIMP! Its absolutely free and powerful. Plus, you can download straight from the web!


I do NOT recommend Gimp for someone just getting started, sorry. Just my recommendation. For one, it doesn't work as well as it should in Windows (it's REALLY a Linux program), and it makes a lot of things harder than it should. Yes, it's free, but that's the best thing going for it.

Not trying to start a flame war, don't misunderstand. This is a beginner asking for help. GIMP is best used with Linux by serious advocates of Open Source who know their way around that world. The Windows port of the prog has some problems.
 01/23/2007 04:03:20 PM · #13
If you go with Photoshop Elements you may want to install these free plugins which allow you to do Curves, Channel Mixer, Layer Masks and Selective Color, which was only available with the higher priced Photoshop software.

Mind you I've not tried these out myself as I don't use Elements but I've heard they work.
 01/23/2007 04:27:47 PM · #14
Originally posted by yanko:
If you go with Photoshop Elements you may want to install these free plugins which allow you to do Curves, Channel Mixer, Layer Masks and Selective Color, which was only available with the higher priced Photoshop software.

Mind you I've not tried these out myself as I don't use Elements but I've heard they work.


They do work, with some minor limitations. They are not, however, required for basic photo retouching. As your skills improve, you'll come to the point where these are of interest.
 01/23/2007 04:43:03 PM · #15
Originally posted by nards656:
Originally posted by jfriesen:
If you need a good free image editor.. try GIMP! Its absolutely free and powerful. Plus, you can download straight from the web!


I do NOT recommend Gimp for someone just getting started, sorry. Just my recommendation. For one, it doesn't work as well as it should in Windows (it's REALLY a Linux program), and it makes a lot of things harder than it should. Yes, it's free, but that's the best thing going for it.

Not trying to start a flame war, don't misunderstand. This is a beginner asking for help. GIMP is best used with Linux by serious advocates of Open Source who know their way around that world. The Windows port of the prog has some problems.


Yea, I get what you are saying but I use the windows port and have been for a long time. Yes, I am an advocate of open source software (see list) but I am not basing my recommendation around that alone. I don't think a beginner would want to shell out money for software just yet. So that's why I recommended GIMP. GIMP has many functions that Photoshop has, they are just in different locations most of the time. Just because you may be familiar with Photoshop, don't down the usability of GIMP. I don't find it that much different than using Photoshop. GIMP also has re programmable shortcuts. So if you like to deselect using CTRL + D, then you can VERY easily change GIMP's CTRL + SHIFT + A to just CTRL D. The software isn't buggy or hard to use. Just make sure and get a stable version.

Just because someone is a beginner photographer, doesn't mean they are retards with a computer. I am sure he/she can figure it out. The users are going to have to need to learn basic terms anyway.

Levels in Elements aren't any different than Levels in GIMP. Channel mixer in Elements aren't any different than Channel Mixer in GIMP and ect ect.

I am not trying to start a war either, just thought I should backup my statement a little better.
 01/23/2007 04:46:07 PM · #16
Originally posted by jfriesen:

Just because someone is a beginner photographer, doesn't mean they are retards with a computer. I am sure he/she can figure it out. The users are going to have to need to learn basic terms anyway.


I hope I didn't imply that the OP was a retard; I sure didn't mean that. :)

Your other points are well taken. I have one major gripe with GIMP - okay, two - and I suppose that taints my experience.
 01/23/2007 05:13:01 PM · #17
Originally posted by jfriesen:
Yes, I am an advocate of open source software (see list) but I am not basing my recommendation around that alone.


[offtopic]

Your Softimage link is broken. The only thing they list that is free on their web site is their XSI Mod Tool 4.2 .

Btw, I've been meaning to get back into 3D imagery (not animation). Do you have any recommendations? Last thing I messed with was 3D Studio Max R2.5 back when my gf was taking some classes on it.

[/offtopic]
 01/23/2007 05:17:11 PM · #18
Originally posted by jfriesen:
GIMP has many functions that Photoshop has, they are just in different locations most of the time. Just because you may be familiar with Photoshop, don't down the usability of GIMP.


There is a mod for GIMP which I am too lazy to hunt down right now which makes it look like (menus, etc) Photoshop.
 01/23/2007 05:20:37 PM · #19
Originally posted by routerguy666:


There is a mod for GIMP which I am too lazy to hunt down right now which makes it look like (menus, etc) Photoshop.


Gimpshop. Done by Plastic Bugs.

A slightly newer version - I think - is at //blog.yumdap.net/archives/20-GIMPshop-for-Windows.html

Frustrating thing about these is that they "trail" the current version of GIMP by several numbers most of the time, and the improvements have a really slow (if at all) trickle down.

I don't mean to down the program - forgive me. I have REALLY tried to get along with it.

Message edited by author 2007-01-23 17:25:57.
 01/23/2007 05:23:56 PM · #20
I tried GIMP too and wasn't really a fan. I found it rather difficult to use. However, this was after I'd been a Photoshop user for many years. I read a thread elsewhere recently where many people commented on their experiences with the GIMP and the general consensus seemed to be that former Photoshop users didn't like it but those who'd never used PS didn't mind it at all. Maybe it's easier if you have no preconceived notions? I suppose it's worth a shot - no loss if you hate it.
 01/23/2007 05:35:17 PM · #21
I know a few people that use Gimp and just love it. I tried it before putting the money down for CS2, but didn't really care for it. I do know a number of people that love Gimp. I think part of my problem was that I had used various versions of photoshop for 8 years and had just gotten so used to it that I didn't like having to relearn another program. I don't think it is a bad program at all.


01/23/2007 08:03:54 PM · #22
Originally posted by yanko:
Originally posted by jfriesen:
Yes, I am an advocate of open source software (see list) but I am not basing my recommendation around that alone.


[offtopic]

Your Softimage link is broken. The only thing they list that is free on their web site is their XSI Mod Tool 4.2 .

Btw, I've been meaning to get back into 3D imagery (not animation). Do you have any recommendations? Last thing I messed with was 3D Studio Max R2.5 back when my gf was taking some classes on it.

[/offtopic]


They must have quit offering the free softimage version... dang. I will remove it..

And for the other question, I have seen amazing things done with Blender.
 01/23/2007 08:11:39 PM · #23
Originally posted by jfriesen:
Originally posted by yanko:

Btw, I've been meaning to get back into 3D imagery (not animation). Do you have any recommendations? Last thing I messed with was 3D Studio Max R2.5 back when my gf was taking some classes on it.

[/offtopic]


And for the other question, I have seen amazing things done with Blender.


I know zero about Blender but just happened to see a link for this free Blender basics e-book recently which might be of interest if you're considering Blender.

[/superofftopic]



Message edited by author 2007-01-23 20:49:57.
 01/23/2007 11:04:49 PM · #24
Originally posted by mk:
I tried GIMP too and wasn't really a fan. I found it rather difficult to use. However, this was after I'd been a Photoshop user for many years. I read a thread elsewhere recently where many people commented on their experiences with the GIMP and the general consensus seemed to be that former Photoshop users didn't like it but those who'd never used PS didn't mind it at all. Maybe it's easier if you have no preconceived notions? I suppose it's worth a shot - no loss if you hate it.


I think this is a good point regarding GIMP. I used PS for years (grew up on it!) but then decided (since I was several version behind) to make the switch. The logic is SOOO different in GIMP that it really seemed unwieldy and didn't make any sense, but pure stubbornness got me through and I can switch back and forth fine. I've found that GIMP has some features that PS doesn't, and vice versa, though PS tends be be several steps ahead on technology.
 01/23/2007 11:17:01 PM · #25
Welcome to DPChallenge, Dessie. Lots of good photographers who are helpful and good people are on this site. If you have the desire, this is a great place to learn how anything to do with digital photography is done, and to see the work of many excellent photographers.
There are answers to any question here, maybe not always the answers that you are looking for. It will be an interesting experience if you want to hang out here for a while and get in the mix.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 05/02/2024 11:28:48 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 05/02/2024 11:28:48 AM EDT.