Foto Faq: What Software Do I Need to Edit My Photos?

Whenever most people think about editing photos, the first thing that comes to  mind is: Photoshop. It's almost become it's own verb. I can't tell you how many times someone has said to me, "Can you Photoshop that out?" Photoshop is an awesome program (and technically you can "photoshop" something out...) but it is not the only program out there and definitely isn't for everyone.

Q: WHAT SOFTWARE DO I NEED TO EDIT MY PHOTOS?

A: 3 of the most popular software programs out there are: Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, and Adobe Lightroom.

Photoshop Elements

$70 // This is perfect for any beginner. It contains all the basic "elements" of Photoshop without all the confusion. You can crop photos, adjust the brightness and perform other basic edits you may need. Many scrapbook mom's use this for digital scrapbooking as well since you can put together layouts, add text and work with layers. I'd say it's a step above the photo editing software your computer may be pre-installed with but there are still limitations, which keeps it user friendly and an entry level program.I don't have a picture of this because I no longer have the software but it looks very similar to Photoshop...there are just fewer features.

Photoshop CS6

$560 // This is the professional grade software with the purpose of image editing and manipulation. The possibilities with this software are endless. You can do everything from face retouching to making whole buildings disappear. It can be a very intimidating software which is why there are whole college courses dedicated to it. Photoshop is not just limited to photos but you can do basic graphic design with it as well. I use this software for my blog collages and occasionally for serious image editing. I've used it for a majority of my graphics in my blog as well. The only downside to this software is it is extremely pricey and can be complicated initially. It is definitely worth the investment if you are going into photography professionally.  Adobe Lightroom$120 // This one tends to be a favorite of many. It's fairly simple to use and like Photoshop, there are plenty of awesome online tutorials out there. This is my go to when I am edit large batches of photos. With this software you can organize, import, process, and export in a simple manner. If you want to quickly edit things like brightness/contrast/cropping/highlights/shadows/saturation/temperature and the like, this is for you. You can create your own preset that will allow you to consistently edit all your photos. It is also significantly cheaper than Photoshop. I would recommend this software to anyone who wants to edit their images quickly and efficiently. Both professional and amateurs alike use it!Try before you buy. All three of these programs allow you to try them out for 15-30 days for free! I highly recommend it. Click here to try. Keep in mind -- if you are a student or teacher, you are eligible for a significant discount on all of these titles. Photoshop is only $245 with proof that you are in college through Academic Superstore! I've purchased through them before so they are a reputable site. (Please note that I am not sponsored by Adobe and will not receive any sort of reward for this post. I'm just writing from my personal post-production experience.)Some other programs that are well-known and favored by others are:Corel Paintshop Pro $50 -- another excellent beginner's programAperture $80 -- the Apple version of LightroomGimp FREE-- a more confusing Photoshop but hey, it's freePicasa FREE -- a Google based program that you download. I've never used it but it looks great for the beginnerIn summary, all these programs come highly recommended and it's a matter of deciding what your photo editing needs are, how much you want to spend as well as how serious of a photographer you plan on becoming. I personally use Lightroom for basic editing and then Photoshop for collaging, design work and any major retouches. For those of you that already know most of this, I apologize that these initial posts are basic. Everyone has to start somewhere and I hope to dive deeper into more stuff as the weeks go by. Please comment below and let me know if you have a question so I know what to cover in the future!

Foto Faq: Where Should I Buy My Camera?

Best Buy? Craigslist? Amazon? Now that you've determined what kind of a camera you should purchase, the next step is to figure out where you should buy your camera. There are several different options: a local camera shop, mainstream electronic store/department store, online or a local private party and a lot of people are curious as to which vendor is best. Each location has it's pros and cons...I personally prefer to purchase from a reputable online store but I also have purchased a few items off of Craigslist from other photographers. Customer service, price and convenience all play different roles in all of these vendor options...read the list to find out which suits your needs the best.Local Camera Shop

Pros:

• supports a local business
• friendly service with people that actually know what they are talking about
• most local camera stores have a variety of equipment
• take the camera home the same day you make the purchase
• you are purchasing brand new equipment with a manufacturer's warranty
• you have the opportunity to purchase an in-store warranty
• you may have the opportunity to test the camera at the store before buying
• ease with returns (no shipping)

Cons:

• prices may be a little more than on the internet or a big name business
• return policies may vary
• if they don't have the item in stock, you may end up waiting as much as you would if you ordered it online

Mainstream Electronic Store/Department Store

Pros:

• may accept competitive pricing
• there is a good chance of your camera or lens going on sale (especially around Black Friday)
• some stores like Best Buy, have rewards programs where you earn points or can use a coupon towards your purchase
• take the camera home the same day you make the purchase
• you are purchasing brand new equipment with a manufacturer's warranty
• you have the opportunity to purchase an in-store warranty
• you may have the opportunity to test the camera at the store before buying
• you may have the opportunity to test the camera at the store before buying

Cons:

• store workers may not be as familiar with each camera model and features (a lot of them really don't know what they are talking about, unfortunately)
• prices still may not compare to cheaper internet prices
• there is a limited selection in comparison to a local camera shop or what you can find online
• pushy sales people that may be making commission and lead you to a different camera

Examples: Best Buy, Target, Wal-mart, Ritz Camera, Cardinal CameraOnline

Pros:

• huge selection since you can shop multiple stores at once
• prices tend to be the most inexpensive at online websites
• return policies tend to be most lenient since you can't actually hold the camera in person
• some websites partner with Bill Me Later which allows you to make big purchases with 0% interest for (6) months*
• some have camera bundles that include all your needed accessories
• opportunity to buy extended warranty

Cons:

• you pay for shipping (though, most websites offer free standard shipping with big purchases)
• you have to wait for the camera to be delivered
• you can't test out the camera before purchasing

I recommend using Amazon.com, Adorama.com, B&H photo. As for Ebay, I've had friends order off of Ebay with no issue but when it comes to big items, I personally don't feel comfortable making that kind of a purchase online. I've bought a lot of used equipment locally (for the sheer fact that I can actually look at the used gear and assess it) but wouldn't dare buy used gear online unless I knew for a fact it was from a reputable photographer or dealer.Local Private Party

Pro's:

• used equipment generally means cheaper prices
• take the camera home the same day you buy
• sometimes you can buy used equipment that is practically new (the owner may just need quick money or it may be backup equipment a photographer never uses)

Con's:

• it takes time arranging a meeting
• the seller may stand you up/be a no show
• if you don't know much about cameras, you may not be able to assess the correct value of a used camera
• if the deal is too good to be true, it usually is a scam OR if it's legit, many others may also be interested
• no warranty
• you are buying as-is condition
• you don't know the history of the camera or if the owner took good care of it

Examples: Craigslist.com, Bookoo.comLet me just add that my husband and I bought a camera body off another photographer through Craigslist. Upon meeting him, he also threw in a battery grip, additional battery and a top of the line flash (valued at $450!) He was an older man that had a bunch of backup stuff sitting around and so we got an amazing deal! However, I've also dealt with my fair share of flakes that I've arranged meetings with and they never showed up. It's hit or miss but if you do decide to purchase used equipment through a private party dealer, make sure you get the manufacturer's code/number so you can look up the date the camera was made and/or ask for the shutter count so you know how much life the camera has on it left. Be sure to check for scratches, ask if the equipment has ever been dropped, and most importantly, get a bill of sale.What experiences have you had with camera purchases? Is there another store you recommend? Have you had any bad Craigslist experiences?

Foto Faq: What Camera Should I Buy?

Over the years I've gotten tons of questions about photography emailed to me and I always find myself typing out the same things over and over again. I've decided to start a regular series answering your photography questions. I have a few posts already lined up but I figured I'd start with one of the most basic, yet common question I am asked:Q: What Camera Should I Buy?A: This is a tough one. It all depends on what exactly you are looking for and what your needs are. I won't re-hash what many other great articles already cover but I will give the answer that I typically email to other people.Decide what your purpose in purchasing a new camera is.Buy a point and shoot if:

• you want something light and compact
• you don't care about getting artsy shots or "blurry backgrounds" you just want to take a picture of what you see
• you don't want to spend a ton on a camera
• you just want to press and button and be done with it
• you want something that's quiet (DSLR's have that classic "click" sound when taking a picture...point and shoots don't)
• you are ok with not being able to diversify your camera (with DSLR's you can buy new lenses that reach further distances. most point and shoots give you a range you are stuck with because of it's built in lens

Buy a DSLR if:

• you want that "blurry" background in your photos (let me just throw it out there that Depth of Field is the technical speak for this)
• you don't mind spending a bit more on a camera (and if you can't afford it, you don't mind being patient and saving up for better quality)
• you don't mind carrying around a bigger bag so it will hold extra lenses and equipment
• you are considering shooting professionally (more on this one later!)
• you want something that does well in low light situations (though, some new point and shoots seem to be working on this too)
• you're willing to take the time to learn about your camera and all it's complexities
• you don't mind looking through a viewfinder instead of using a live LCD screen to take the picture (like most point and shoots and cell phone cameras)
• you are willing to learn how to properly focus. (you can miss a shot because you accidentally focused on the wrong subject)

If you've decided that a DSLR may be for you, here are some other things to consider: There are semi-pro/entry-level DSLR's and then there are true professional DSLR's. Semi-pro's are similar to point and shoots in that they are more compact and they are more focused on automatic features. If you want pictures that have the "feel of a pro-photographer" but you don't want to think about a thing you are doing, this would be the way to go. This was the first DSLR I purchased several years ago but I quickly outgrew it when I realized I was so limited by the features. I wanted to dive deeper into photography. I wanted to control the amount of light that went into my camera (which is shooting manual...similar to driving a manual/stick shift vehicle versus and automatic.) So I always, always tell anyone that tells me they are looking to buy a DSLR that IF they have any tiny desire to charge money for photos or shoot professionally, they need to get a professional camera body and just skip the semi-pro stage all together. Most people don't want to hear this because they want a camera now, and buying a step up means saving up and having to wait longer. I totally understand the impatience but I've had some of the same people come back and message me telling me that they regretted not taking my advice and now they are trying to sell their camera so they can upgrade. I was fortunate enough to be able to sell my camera and upgrade immediately. Nowadays, it's harder because there are so many cameras floating around on Craigslist. Be smart. Think longterm and purchase accordingly.Sooooo...how do you tell the difference between a semi-pro DSLR versus a professional DSLR? Without going crazy into it, there's a huge difference in sensor size, frames shot per second, what kind of lenses it can take, etc. Here is a list of the latest entry level DSLR's and the latest pro-level DSLR's.Comment below and let me know if there is something you want me to cover!