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Free software

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Posted by GeoffR: Wed Apr 18th, 2012 06:33

1^st Post

We all know that there is a huge amount of excellent, expensive, software available to organise, manipulate, download and catalogue images. Unfortunately, many a newcomer to the world of digital photography doesn't have the budget and/or the desire to buy Photoshop CS. So, it might be worth while discussing the free software that is available to said newcomer.

I haven't found a free editing program that I really like but, I do find Nikon's own View NX and the associate Nikon Transfer to be very useful and, as Nikon users, we all have a copy that came with our cameras.

I know there are alternatives but we are talking free software for the new user. What do you recommend and why?

Posted by Gilbert Sandberg: Wed Apr 18th, 2012 06:43

2^nd Post

Geoff,

Has this subject not been discussed before?

On the positive side, my 2 cents.
I use Google's Picasa for cataloging all images om my PC.
There are serveral disadvantages, but I can live with those, for the time being.

PS The View NX software serves its purpose, but it is not designed to be cataloguing software.

Regards, Gilbert

Posted by GeoffR: Wed Apr 18th, 2012 06:50

3^rd Post

Gilbert Sandberg wrote: Geoff,

Has this subject not been discussed before?

On the positive side, my 2 cents.
I use Google's Picasa for cataloging all images om my PC.
There are serveral disadvantages, but I can live with those, for the time being.

PS The View NX software serves its purpose, but it is not designed to be cataloguing software.

Regards, Gilbert

I am sure we have discussed this before, but it will now be in the archives so worth reviving/refreshing.

Nikon View NX does what it says on the box, it lets you view your pictures, I actually like Nikon Transfer because it too does exactly what it says with minimal effort.

Posted by Gilbert Sandberg: Wed Apr 18th, 2012 07:46

4^th Post

Geoff,
re: View NX does what it says
... and then some, like export/convert, geotag from a gpx-file etc.

What Picasa does fo me:
-support non-nikon files (View NX can prove a bit selective)
-catalog across directories/drives
-couple with Googles online images.
-elementary editing.

I agree that Nikon's Transfer and View software do what they are advertising (and I like that), in yesteryear these were in one package.

Regards, Gilbert

Posted by richw: Wed Apr 18th, 2012 08:32

5^th Post

I have found Nikon software very buggy and slow over the years - to the point that I stopped using it some time ago - so probably can't comment on the current versions.

It does not have most of the DAM features I require though (looking at the declared capabilities) and it would elongate my workflow too much - my time is too short to spend more than necessary, to the point where I prefer good and quick - even if that means expensive - over free.

Posted by jk: Wed Apr 18th, 2012 09:00

6^th Post

I think it is worth touching on but we need to be aware that we are opening a huge bag of software.

For Windows there is:
FastStone, Picassa and NikonView that I think are worthwhile.
There are many others available that a quick search via Google will yield.

On Mac there are:
iPhoto, Picassa, Preview

On Linux there are:
GPhoto and several others.

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Posted by Robert: Wed Apr 18th, 2012 10:53

7^th Post

You didn't mention Graphic converter for the Mac, Used to be a slightly rough and ready imitation of Photoshop but I haven't used it for years.

In the early days it was a good alternative.

Here is the LINK:

http://www.lemkesoft.com/content/193/key-features.html

____________________
Robert.

Posted by Iain: Thu Apr 19th, 2012 03:33

8^th Post

I have heard a lot of people talking about GIMP being good though I have never tried it.

http://www.gimp.org

Posted by Doug: Fri Apr 20th, 2012 21:31

9^th Post

Iain wrote:
I have heard a lot of people talking about GIMP being good though I have never tried it.

http://www.gimp.org
A lot of people also like S&M:thumbsup: :whip:

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Posted by jk: Sat Apr 21st, 2012 04:16

10^th Post

Doug wrote:
Iain wrote:
I have heard a lot of people talking about GIMP being good though I have never tried it.

http://www.gimp.org
A lot of people also like S&M:thumbsup: :whip:

Apparently the new less 'stern' form of GIMP will be released soon when version 2.8 or 2.10 is released.
It is slowly getting ther. When v2.8 is released then it will look just like Photoshop.
Then Photoshop will have some serious challenges in the nonprofessional consumer group as it will be 0$ versus $1000 for PS license.

____________________
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https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none

Posted by Iain: Sat Apr 21st, 2012 10:48

11^th Post

Doug wrote:
Iain wrote:
I have heard a lot of people talking about GIMP being good though I have never tried it.

http://www.gimp.org
A lot of people also like S&M:thumbsup: :whip:

I thought we were talking about software!
;-)

Posted by Doug: Sat Apr 21st, 2012 13:06

12^th Post

:-O

Newsflash:M&Ms like S&M
(Anyone notice these guys look like the characters from the M&M ads)

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