Free or almost free image software?

[peterm1]

I'm currently using Elements 2.0 for Mac and it does the trick for 99% of my images. If I do need things like curves, I use the Gimp. I'd only shell out the $$$ for the full Photoshop version if I absolutely really needed it, or if it was necessary for my job. I'd rather use my money to buy film 😉

There are a few freeware "curves" plugins for Elements. Search on Google. But heres a tip - I use one by produced under the name "smartcurve" Works superbly and as I prefer using Elements (given my partial understanding of PS) it saves me from having to borrow a friends machine with PS6 on it.

here is a d/l link

http://free.pages.at/easyfilter/curves.html

While on the subject of free software I use a standalone noise reduction program called Noiseware community edition. (I think there is a pay plugin version for PS as well.) It works fine for those shots where noise is excessive. Probably not up to the standard of Noise Nija (not sure) but for free and it works so its good value.

PS if you are using The Gimp you may wish to try plugins like smartcurve. I think the plugin standard is an open one so if it works with PS it may work with The Gimp.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Thanks a big lot! I had a dinner engagement and couldn't come to read your replies any earlier...

BTW, since I'm a prof, I intend to buy the educational version of PS Elements. I had PS 7.0 and it turned out to be overwhelming for my needs. I liked it, of course, but I don't know if I would be able to use well the whole CS.

Besides, there's something here: my instituion owes me money, and it's about the price of the software. Hence, it's easier to get it that way.

I'll try the possibilities soon. BTW, as far as I know, my machine will be the snazziest iMac, with the 10.5.5 (I believe). It'll probably be able to "talk" to my laptop (which I got in August). In any event, I'll keep you posted! 🙂

 

[nzeeman]

i will also recommend GIMP. it is really great program. and another program that i like is silkypix. silky have some very nice options. you can do everything to jpg and tiff photos (change wb, exposure...) like they are raw.

 

[titrisol]

Lightzone does not support linux anymore
Bibble is OK, but GIMP is better
once you get used to the structure of the menus you can do a lot

tutorials for gimp here:
www.gimpguru.org

Don't like Lightzone?
Or Bibble?

Many more than just Gimp.

 

[LeicaM3]

Lightzone does not support linux anymore
http://www.gimpguru.org

Agree that Gimp is the way to go.

Unfortunately, the info above is false.
Lightzone for linux always has been free. One of the main authors does use and develop on Linux. It was always either a free download or a "beta".
There is no official support, only via the fora.

Looks as if it now called a "beta", just to not tick off the users of other OS's who pay for it. 😀

 

[GeneW]

The GIMP is very good, if a little eccentric. I use it on my Linux boxes. However, if you're thinking about ever moving up to full Photoshop, I'd recommend Elements, because you'd then learn the 'family' characteristics of Photoshop. It's become very slick and has all the essentials and many of the more advanced features of full Photoshop. With your educational discount, it would cost about the same as a decent lens shade for your Leica 🙂

Gene

 

[titrisol]

oohhh is back!
I had the previous version and their website said it was discontinued in the summer
Thanks for the correction, however it siad the beat expires in may????

Agree that Gimp is the way to go.

Unfortunately, the info above is false.
Lightzone for linux always has been free. One of the main authors does use and develop on Linux. It was always either a free download or a "beta".
There is no official support, only via the fora.

Looks as if it now called a "beta", just to not tick off the users of other OS's who pay for it. 😀

This was the source of my news a while ago

RIP: LightZone for Linux

In order to prepare a blog entry, I wanted to reinstall LightZone for Linux only to realize that the project no longer exists. LightZone is a java-based RAW processing software edited by Light Crafts. While its first plateform is Windows, a co-worker of Light Crafts was porting LightZone to Linux and making it available free of charge.

This was stopped with version 3.0 of LightZone and even the previous version aren’t available anymore.

According to this thread in LightZone forums, the company felt it had to either offer proper support for Linux or completly stop the Linux version. The second option had to be picked due to lack of funding.

LightZone’s most interesting feature was (and still is on Windows and Mac) a very easy way to apply post-processing to only a zone of the image - much like a selection mask, but very easy to perform. Defining two selection spline, (one for the beginning of the selection gradient, the other one for the end) would allow you to do local dodging, burning and so on. Maybe an idea for someone else to pick?

My grip has always been lack of curves support, though - even if their tool was supposed to be more intuitive or whatever, I couldn’t get used to it. It is too late, now, anyway.

 

[varjag]

You can also check out Blimp, a small, simple, layered, 16-bit photo adjustment software. More geared towards digital output though, since it lacks spotting/cloning tools.