Beginner Do I 'need' new software?

scottishmonkey

scottishmonkey

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Name
Derek
Edit My Images
No
This lockdown malarkey has given us all too much time

I currently dabble with Capture NX2 and Paintshop Pro Photo X2. Dabble is about all I've managed, tweaking contrast, black and white conversions and the odd sharpening of an eye or two.

I read that most use two bits of software, a RAW converter (although not sure what it is best to convert to) and something more detailed for final tweaks. Both of these are dated now and I believe the more up to date programs are better at 'fixing' blemishes etc.

I guess the question is, do I spend the time with these to see if I actually hit limitations or do I buy Affinity or other and invest the time with more current software?
 
I still use Capture NX2, I find that the raw conversion is excellent and the editing tools are more than sufficient for nearly all my needs. It is a bit/very slow at times and can be clunky but the adjustments that I can get with the colour control points more than compensate.
I also prefer to simply adjust something like brightness and then use a brush to apply or remove the adjustment rather than having to remember to add a mask and then paint in black or white to localise the adjustment.
As it is Nikon software it also has the advantage that it can recognise all the camera settings and apply them to the raw file, so if you are happy with the contrast, saturation etc, that you have set on the camera you just leave them alone. If you want to change them then you can do so easily.
I do use Photoshop Elements if I need a better healing tool, a clone tool or if I want to use layers to combine pictures - something I only do for fun i.e. put santa hats on people's heads for xmas etc.
 
I used Capture NX2 many years ago and remember being very happy with the results it gave me. So I guess if you are happy with results you are getting, then you probably don’t ‘need’ new software. I now use a mixture of Lightroom, and Photoshop when editing on a PC, and Lightroom and Affinity Photo when editing on an iPad, and to be honest, I couldn’t imagine going back now. Not because Capture NX2 is bad, it’s just because the level of editing I do (which is on the minimal side) is an absolute breeze with this new software.
 
scottishmonkey said:
This lockdown malarkey has given us all too much time

I currently dabble with Capture NX2 and Paintshop Pro Photo X2. Dabble is about all I've managed, tweaking contrast, black and white conversions and the odd sharpening of an eye or two.

I read that most use two bits of software, a RAW converter (although not sure what it is best to convert to) and something more detailed for final tweaks. Both of these are dated now and I believe the more up to date programs are better at 'fixing' blemishes etc.

I guess the question is, do I spend the time with these to see if I actually hit limitations or do I buy Affinity or other and invest the time with more current software?
Click to expand...
If you want to try something new for raw conversion and image sorting, you might download Capture NX-D or Capture One Express - both are free, so you have nothing to lose:

www.captureone.com

Buy Capture One: Professional Photo Editing Software

Discover Capture One’s complete suite of photo editing software, trusted by professionals worldwide. From Capture One Pro to our mobile app, Live, All in One bundle, and Studio solutions, explore pricing options that suit your creative workflow. Enhance your photography across desktop, mobile...
www.captureone.com www.captureone.com

Affinity is so cheap at the moment, dabbling with it won't break the bank and it complements NX-D or C1 Express well.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I've downloaded NX-D and Capture One Express. Better get a pot of coffee on and an adult nappy :ROFLMAO:
 
Note that the C1 Express installer doubles as a demo installer for C1 Pro - you have to choose which you want during installation so that you get the Express version for Nikon (never expires, but more limited features) rather than the full version (expires after demo period, but has more features).
 
Enjoy playing but if you are like me you will prefer Capture NX2 rather than Capture NX-D :)
 
There's 6 litres of coffee and 3 nappies I'm not getting back :ROFLMAO:
 
scottishmonkey said:
This lockdown malarkey has given us all too much time

I currently dabble with Capture NX2 and Paintshop Pro Photo X2. Dabble is about all I've managed, tweaking contrast, black and white conversions and the odd sharpening of an eye or two.

I read that most use two bits of software, a RAW converter (although not sure what it is best to convert to) and something more detailed for final tweaks. Both of these are dated now and I believe the more up to date programs are better at 'fixing' blemishes etc.

I guess the question is, do I spend the time with these to see if I actually hit limitations or do I buy Affinity or other and invest the time with more current software?
Click to expand...


Photographers are supposed to be creative, we just need to overcome and improvise, by finding ways to use what we've got.

When it comes to software, you could just keep going and make the most of it, until it can no longer do things you wanted it to do. I've actually used Microsoft Word 97 for almost 20 years, even on my 5 years old computer with Windows 7.

So, if your software is doing the job you want it to do, then you should stay with them until they stopped working (maybe because you upgraded your computer, and the software is no longer compatible with the hardware, or you updated your Windows/Mac and the software is no longer compatible with the new operating system).

As they say: If it's not broken, don't fix it.

Unless you want to start shooting in RAW, or that you want to go beyond "tweaking contrast, black and white conversions and the odd sharpening" like doing serious photo manipulation, until then, you do not "need" new software if your current software can keep going.
 
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