christmas gift idea- please help photo enhancements

[serene56]

looking for a program to give my honey to enhance photos online

he already does photoshop.

i have no idea where to even start looking.

 

[DSLRuser]

Adobe Lightroom.

Most pros use light room for 100% of their work flow. Then use photo shop for the 10% they want o get creative with.

The 2 programs work in tandem.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Another is Topaz Lab's Photoshop plug-in bundle. It has some great stuff in it. I use Denoise exclusively for my noise reduction and the DW loves Effects. They have just released a new version of Detail that looks real good.

http://www.topazlabs.com/bundle/

 

[LittleMissMagic]

IMO, programs are kind of personal, something that has to be researched by the intended user. I wouldn't expect anyone to know what program to buy me unless I specifically told them.

I'm an architecture major, and a good friend wanted to "get me something original" for my birthday (because everyone gets me Disney things... but that's because I like Disney things). Well, he bought me a Home Design software program. It's something that someone who wants to build their own house but doesn't know anything about architecture or construction would probably use. I thanked him profusely, but the program has remained wrapped, sitting in my basement for years. It's just nothing that I have ever had the need or desire to use because I create from scratch and have my own design and rendering programs to do so (actually, it was a little insulting for him to give me an amateur program, but I know his intentions were good).

You've already taken a step to ask the "pros" what they'd recommend. Lightroom or Topaz are good programs, and something he definitely might want to have. But I'd suggest that you'd ask him what he wants because he might have specific needs or wants that we can't address here, not knowing him personally.

 

[photo_chick]

looking for a program to give my honey to enhance photos online

he already does photoshop.

i have no idea where to even start looking.

Unless he's named something specific if he's already using Photoshop I wouldn't get him anything. It's the standard for a reason. Lightroom is a good piece of software to augment Photoshop as far as image management goes if that's something he needs. But I know a number of photographers who are ditching Lightroom since Bridge in CS6 runs so much better than previous versions and actually works more seamlessly than Lightroom does with Photoshop. And the Topaz plug in's are great, as is Photomatix if he's into HDR. But the problem is those are task specific things and if you don't need them for those tasks then they're pretty useless to you.

 

[DSLRuser]

Lightroom is a good piece of software to augment Photoshop as far as image management goes if that's something he needs. .

I learned to use lightroom for everything, and photoshop augments lightroom.

That was how i was explaiend / taught to me many years ago. Just goes to show there are many ways to skin a cat.

 

[klmall]

I agree with Topaz; maybe a gift certificate for $100 or whatever.

I have to say though that their customer service has been a problem for me in the past and I've been using Topaz products for more than 7 years.

Topaz Adjust is a great add-on for enhancing and making photos pop or bringing out clarity.

Topaz often runs packages with 2 or more of their products together for a slightly reduced price.

You can also look at software that improves "focus" e.g "Focus Magic" which is a simple product I love.

Despite improvements in cameras and lenses many experts feel that most digital pictures need more focusing or sharpening. I use Focus Magic on many of my shots after all other post-production work is done (after Lightroom etc.).

 

[photo_chick]

I learned to use lightroom for everything, and photoshop augments lightroom.

That was how i was explaiend / taught to me many years ago. Just goes to show there are many ways to skin a cat.

Totally. I do use Lightroom for 90% of what I do as well. But with the new Bridge in CS6... I see why people are dumping Lightroom. Adobe keeps throwing out new versions so fast that what was the best solution for some a year ago may not necessarily be the best now. It's constantly changing.