post processing suggestions

[TX26257]

Ok I am currently own a canon xt and a canon g9 both can shoot raw. I am wondering which software to post process I should use. If I am shooting in raw will I need CS3. So far I am just shooting jpeg and might continue to do so It just seems a shame to not at least play around with the raw and see how it works for me. If I stay with jpeg what are my choices

 

[Dino]

If you just want to get started playing with RAW you should have gotten a copy of DPP with your XT (possibly with the G9? I'm not sure). Install it on your computer, snap a few RAW shots to play with and just see how it all works! You can go to Canon's site and download the latest version of DPP to play with (completely free) as the version you got with your camera probably won't be the most up to date. After you get done playing with the RAW file in DPP you can convert it to .tiff or .jpeg and load it up in any image editor of your choice (photoshop, gimp, etc.) to do any additional PPing.

DPP isn't an overly complicated RAW editor but it has the major stuff and it'll let you play with the RAW files to learn how they work and if you even like using them - without buying anything!

 

[d4a2n0k]

Adobe Lightroom is another good one. Has basically all the features you would ever use for photography that Photoshop does at a much cheaper price.

 

[MCary]

DPP is an excellent program. It comes free with your camera and does most basic things, spot removal, exposure fix, white balance and sharpening. PS elements does a good job too. Lightroom and CS3 are expensive and CS3 has a steep learning curve. I have both, and love them. But they're luxuries for the average hobbiest not necessities.

 

[IPT]

DPP is an excellent program. Here is a link to a good tutorial to help you learn your way around it. I use it and then directly import it too PS. Some people say (even if it is minimal) that coverting RAW in the software program of the camera manufacturer will yield slightly better results since they wrote the RAW code. Can't say I see a difference, but I found DPP easy to use anyway.

http://www.usa.canon.com/content/dpp2/index.html

 

[IPT]

dinoman - your avitar is insane!! Did you need rails and some crazy lens??

 

[ReefingBuddha]

aperture works well for me. Mac software but I'm pretty sure its PC compatible.