Choosing the right software
Software bundled with camera
The software bundled with the camera includes a basic image editor and browser that lets you look through your jpg and raw files, perform simple adjustments, adjust exposure, remove red eye etc. Ideal for the beginner and a great starting point. More serious users will find the lack of options to limiting.
Advantage: Get’s you started, free
Disadvantages: Limited features
Editing Programs:
There are a multitude of editing programs available the most popular by far being Photoshop £580 it’s also rather pricey another good alternative with similar features is Photoshop Elements £80 it also has a friendlier interface.
Advantages: Offers every editing feature you could dream of
Disadvantages: Pricey, Steep learning curve.
Library Software:
It’s easy to get confused when your working with hundreds of image files. A specialist applicationsuch as iView Media Pro by Microsoft at £120 or Extensis Portfolio 8 £149 can help to streamline your workflow. Typical features include tagging, keywording, cataloguing, making back-ups and easy file sharing solutions.
Advantages: Makes managing thousands of image files easy.
Disadvantages: No image editing tools
RAW Converters:
The main purpose of a RAW Converter is to process and convert the RAW files that your camera generates (.AWR Files from the a300) into recognisable image files such as jpeg, gif, TIFF etc. A popular RAW Converter is Adobe Camera Raw which is included in Photoshop, Photoshop Elements and Lightroom.
Advantage: Dedicated raw conversion
Disadvantage: lacking in image-editing options
All In One Solution:
All in One solutions give the photographer everything needed in one package from downloading, organising, edit and showcase there photos. The most popular all in one solution is again an adobe product Photoshop Lightroom 2 £219, Lightroom 2 is specifically targeted at photographers who shoot in RAW. Because of the advanced level of many of the tools they are usually only favoured by professionals.
Advantages: Everything needed to manage, edit and publish from one piece of software.
Disadvantages: Steep learning curve, Processor intensive
