Really good software needed to correct dark pics

"SS" <xsx2000x.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:H7jyj.7046$r%3.6711@newsfe4-win.ntli.net...
>I had some pics which were taken at an event in the Grosvenor London, but
> they are dark as the flash was too far away. I need some good software to
> brighten the shadows, correct the colour and remove the grain -
> recommendations please!
>
>

Lightroom, Photoshop, in that order.

Go and buy them now!!
 >> Stay informed about: Really good software needed to correct dark pics 

Pete D wrote:
> "SS" <xsx2000x.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:H7jyj.7046$r%3.6711@newsfe4-win.ntli.net...
>> I had some pics which were taken at an event in the Grosvenor London, but
>> they are dark as the flash was too far away. I need some good software to
>> brighten the shadows, correct the colour and remove the grain -
>> recommendations please!
>
> Lightroom, Photoshop, in that order.
>
> Go and buy them now!!
>
>
But even these Programs can not bring you details back that are not
there in the original images. When the Parts are just "a bit too dark"
than you might get happy. But "black on black" stays "black on black"
even with the most expensive software.
And for gods sake, why always photoshop? Who can really use photoshop
here, and use functions that other (much cheaper software like gimp or
psp) don't have?
If you just want to tweak some curves and set the white-pont you
definitely don't need photoshop, because there is software which does
this at lower price and much more userfriendly!


Marco

--
Dimage A2, Agfa isolette
http://flickr.com/photos/kruemi
http://profile.imageshack.us/user/kruemi/images
 >> Stay informed about: Really good software needed to correct dark pics 

Shadow Illuminator Pro from (IIRC) Intrigue Technologies (PS plugin) is by
far the best thing I have come across for getting the best out of
underexposed photos, at least in most cases. The Shadow/Highlight adjustment
in Photoshop reduces contrast greatly; apparently the algorithms in the
plugin quite cleverly increase contrast in the processed areas, giving a
much more natural look. It is really pretty amazing.

OTOH there is no free lunch--you will find the noise in the recovered
shadows to be painfully increased, and this is not something that you can
get rid of with a noise-reducing plugin without completely losing your fine
detail.

Toby

"Pete D" <no.RemoveThis@email.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:47c9c643$0$27293$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
>
> "SS" <xsx2000x.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:H7jyj.7046$r%3.6711@newsfe4-win.ntli.net...
>>I had some pics which were taken at an event in the Grosvenor London, but
>> they are dark as the flash was too far away. I need some good software to
>> brighten the shadows, correct the colour and remove the grain -
>> recommendations please!
>>
>>
>
> Lightroom, Photoshop, in that order.
>
> Go and buy them now!!
>
 >> Stay informed about: Really good software needed to correct dark pics 

"Marco Tedaldi" <news0208.5.kruemi.DeleteThis@spamgourmet.com> wrote in message
news:946e1$47c9d0c0$544a2b65$10978@news.hispeed.ch...
> Pete D wrote:
>> "SS" <xsx2000x.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:H7jyj.7046$r%3.6711@newsfe4-win.ntli.net...
>>> I had some pics which were taken at an event in the Grosvenor London,
>>> but
>>> they are dark as the flash was too far away. I need some good software
>>> to
>>> brighten the shadows, correct the colour and remove the grain -
>>> recommendations please!
>>
>> Lightroom, Photoshop, in that order.
>>
>> Go and buy them now!!
> But even these Programs can not bring you details back that are not there
> in the original images. When the Parts are just "a bit too dark" than you
> might get happy. But "black on black" stays "black on black" even with the
> most expensive software.
> And for gods sake, why always photoshop? Who can really use photoshop
> here, and use functions that other (much cheaper software like gimp or
> psp) don't have?
> If you just want to tweak some curves and set the white-pont you
> definitely don't need photoshop, because there is software which does this
> at lower price and much more userfriendly!
>

Lovely, what are they called, not helpful if you are not
specific....................................
 >> Stay informed about: Really good software needed to correct dark pics 

On Sun, 2 Mar 2008 10:22:55 +1100, "Pete D" <no RemoveThis @email.com> wrote:

>
>"Marco Tedaldi" <news0208.5.kruemi RemoveThis @spamgourmet.com> wrote in message
>news:946e1$47c9d0c0$544a2b65$10978@news.hispeed.ch...
>> Pete D wrote:
>>> "SS" <xsx2000x RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:H7jyj.7046$r%3.6711@newsfe4-win.ntli.net...
>>>> I had some pics which were taken at an event in the Grosvenor London,
>>>> but
>>>> they are dark as the flash was too far away. I need some good software
>>>> to
>>>> brighten the shadows, correct the colour and remove the grain -
>>>> recommendations please!
>>>
>>> Lightroom, Photoshop, in that order.
>>>
>>> Go and buy them now!!
>> But even these Programs can not bring you details back that are not there
>> in the original images. When the Parts are just "a bit too dark" than you
>> might get happy. But "black on black" stays "black on black" even with the
>> most expensive software.
>> And for gods sake, why always photoshop? Who can really use photoshop
>> here, and use functions that other (much cheaper software like gimp or
>> psp) don't have?
>> If you just want to tweak some curves and set the white-pont you
>> definitely don't need photoshop, because there is software which does this
>> at lower price and much more userfriendly!
>>
>
>Lovely, what are they called, not helpful if you are not
>specific....................................
>
Irfanview is free, and with the plug-ins will do what you want
in the above paragraph.
 >> Stay informed about: Really good software needed to correct dark pics 

Pete D wrote:
>>> Go and buy them now!!
>> But even these Programs can not bring you details back that are not
>> there in the original images. When the Parts are just "a bit too
>> dark" than you might get happy. But "black on black" stays "black on
>> black" even with the most expensive software.
>> And for gods sake, why always photoshop? Who can really use photoshop
>> here, and use functions that other (much cheaper software like gimp
>> or psp) don't have?
>> If you just want to tweak some curves and set the white-pont you
>> definitely don't need photoshop, because there is software which
>> does this at lower price and much more userfriendly!
>>
>
> Lovely, what are they called, not helpful if you are not
> specific....................................

You mean this isn't in the above "much cheaper software like gimp or
> psp) "
 >> Stay informed about: Really good software needed to correct dark pics 

"Marutchi" <BarbaraH*REMOVE THIS*@ozdebate.com> wrote in message
news:I4udnVpXDdUCslfanZ2dnUVZ_t2inZ2d@giganews.com...
> Pete D wrote:
>>>> Go and buy them now!!
>>> But even these Programs can not bring you details back that are not
>>> there in the original images. When the Parts are just "a bit too
>>> dark" than you might get happy. But "black on black" stays "black on
>>> black" even with the most expensive software.
>>> And for gods sake, why always photoshop? Who can really use photoshop
>>> here, and use functions that other (much cheaper software like gimp
>>> or psp) don't have?
>>> If you just want to tweak some curves and set the white-pont you
>>> definitely don't need photoshop, because there is software which
>>> does this at lower price and much more userfriendly!
>>>
>>
>> Lovely, what are they called, not helpful if you are not
>> specific....................................
>
> You mean this isn't in the above "much cheaper software like gimp or
>> psp) "
>
>

Yeah, silly me, should read the whole post, however the OP did say "Really
good software needed to correct dark pics" and I think PS is really good and
the others are not as good so I would be right, right! What do you use
Marutchi? Gimp? Irfanview? PS?
 >> Stay informed about: Really good software needed to correct dark pics 

Pete D wrote:
> "Marutchi" <BarbaraH*REMOVE THIS*@ozdebate.com> wrote in message
>> Pete D wrote:
>>> Lovely, what are they called, not helpful if you are not
>>> specific....................................
>> You mean this isn't in the above "much cheaper software like gimp or
>>> psp) "
>>
>
> Yeah, silly me, should read the whole post, however the OP did say "Really
> good software needed to correct dark pics" and I think PS is really good and
> the others are not as good so I would be right, right! What do you use
> Marutchi? Gimp? Irfanview? PS?
>
>
You are right. PS is a very good software. Only think about it twice to
suggest PS to someone inexperienced. It's not easy to work with PS and
get used to it. And the questioner implies for me that he is not
experienced in this field!
PS is userfriendly, but it's a bit picky about who it's friends are.

And even good software does not have to be the pest shot for every
situation! For removing noise some suggest PS, other noise ninja. And to
just adjust some curves PS is definitely overkill (not only becuase of
the cost)

Oh yes... I'm using gimp (and several other tools like imagemagick for
batch conversions). One reason is, that I like to spend my money an
photo equipment instead of software. The other is that I would have to
buy a commercial wine-version to run PS under linux.

It's always the question what is the right tool for the situation and
the task you have. It does not make sense to use a 400hp tractor to to
make your 20m^2 backyard.


Marco

--
Dimage A2, Agfa isolette
http://flickr.com/photos/kruemi
http://profile.imageshack.us/user/kruemi/images
 >> Stay informed about: Really good software needed to correct dark pics 

Pete D wrote:
> Yeah, silly me, should read the whole post, however the OP did say "Really
> good software needed to correct dark pics" and I think PS is
> really good and the others are not as good so I would be right,
> right!

Aren't you always?

>What do you use Marutchi? Gimp? Irfanview? PS?

PSP for the most part, as I am an admitted editing dummy and as Marco said
it's easier to use.
Having said that, lately I occasionally use CS2. I have edited photos in
both PSP and CS2 and to be honest to my perhaps not so discerning eye,
there's very little difference and I generally prefer the PSP edit.
 >> Stay informed about: Really good software needed to correct dark pics 

> You did dive bomb me a bit, anyway how are you?

In fine form.

>Doing lots of shooting? Still using the 20D?

Yes and yes, on the odd occasion.
 >> Stay informed about: Really good software needed to correct dark pics 

"Marutchi" <BarbaraH*REMOVE THIS*@ozdebate.com> wrote in message
news:74Wdnb-CA_9t6VfanZ2dnUVZ_vKunZ2d@giganews.com...
>
>> You did dive bomb me a bit, anyway how are you?
>
> In fine form.
>
>>Doing lots of shooting? Still using the 20D?
>
> Yes and yes, on the odd occasion.
>
Does this mean you have a 30 or 40D? They look pretty good.

I looked at one of your shots in photo.original group today and posted a
comment but I only have access to binary groups through a free account that
takes days to get posts through so you may not see it for a while, do you
have other shots of the beehive flower, like from the side, most unusual.
 >> Stay informed about: Really good software needed to correct dark pics 

Pete D wrote:

> Does this mean you have a 30 or 40D? They look pretty good.

Yes, thank you.

> I looked at one of your shots in photo.original group today and
> posted a comment but I only have access to binary groups through a
> free account that takes days to get posts through so you may not see
> it for a while, do you have other shots of the beehive flower, like
> from the side, most unusual.

Beehive Ginger flower? Yes as a matter of fact there is a side on shot, both
on apbo and my Flickr site.
 >> Stay informed about: Really good software needed to correct dark pics 

"Marutchi" <BarbaraH*REMOVE THIS*@ozdebate.com> wrote in message
news:m8KdnQ4PQ5g-FFfanZ2dnUVZ_tqtnZ2d@giganews.com...
> Pete D wrote:
>
>> Does this mean you have a 30 or 40D? They look pretty good.
>
> Yes, thank you.
>
>> I looked at one of your shots in photo.original group today and
>> posted a comment but I only have access to binary groups through a
>> free account that takes days to get posts through so you may not see
>> it for a while, do you have other shots of the beehive flower, like
>> from the side, most unusual.
>
> Beehive Ginger flower? Yes as a matter of fact there is a side on shot,
> both on apbo and my Flickr site.


Thanks, took a bit to track it down from a week ago but very striking, did
you use a softbox for the shot?
 >> Stay informed about: Really good software needed to correct dark pics