What photography software do you use regularly?

[masp]

So I've mainly been using the GIMP lately, as well as some rudimentary tools for photo management. I'm curious which programs you all use on a regular basis. With GIMP, I think I'm missing out on a few useful things like RAW editing and being able to use Photoshop actions which seem to be widely available and a good way to save labor (I aim to spend less time in PP and more time shooting if possible.

So what are the other major pieces of photography software? I know there's Photoshop and Aperture, Lightzone and a few others, but looking at the variety, it's almost as confusing as shopping for a camera!

[Lovin]

I'm using Adobe Lightroom 2.0.

[Fortytwo]

I use a couple...

First of all, Adobe Photoshop CS4. My personal favorite when it comes to photo editing. There is just so much you can do in there...

Then there's Adobe Lightroom 2.5. Basically, I use this as my primary database and raw editing software. I shoot directly in DNG, so it's just perfect for me.

Then I occasionally use DxO to correct for noise or do lens corrections. Then there's Photomatix, that has some cool HDR functions.

Lately, I've been working with Capture one, as a replacement for Lightroom after hearing some really good things about it. And I must say, I really do like the results it's giving. It's definately a better RAW converter than the one Adobe had. The database in Lightroom is way better, but as a pure processor, I think Capture one is the way to go for me...

Oh, and I use Faststone to show pictures using a beamer...

[Richard]

I'm using Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom, I used the free stuff I got with the canon for a bit, but since I use adobe products at work, I made the move over at home as well.

[edG]

Photoshop 6 (owned it for years and have not upgraded) and Lightroom 3 Beta (will buy Lightroom 3 once it is released).

[Wicked Dark]

I've tried many editing programs over the years, but the only one I am comfortable with and have developed any mastery over is Lightroom. I've downloaded v3 beta 2 and really like it a lot. Will buy it once releases.

[Marko]

I primarily use Photoshop...started playing a bit with silver effex pro as well.

[Iguanasan]

I use Picasa to pretty much everything except heave PP work. Right now I'm using GIMP for that. There is a RAW plug-in for it.. ufRaw (sorry don't have the link handy) which basically operates the same as with Photoshop Elements in that you open it in ufRAW, make some adjustments there and then transfer it into GIMP for final editing.

[kkjensen]

Bibble 5 Pro here. Keeps things non-destructive, raw and simple. There are a lot of plugin developers putting stuff in almost weekly it seems.

[Bambi]

Paint Shop Pro X2. It does everything I need it to do and stuff that I don't know how to use (like raster layers and vector layers....:confused:). It's 1/3 of the cost of lightroom but does almost all the same things. As well, a lot of the plug ins for adobe work in it. It has a nice way of handling files too.

[Iguanasan]

Don't use it so this is not a "plug" but I just stumbled into this product that seems to have quite a few features.

Graphisme et utilitaires (http://photofiltre.free.fr/frames_en.htm)

[Greg_Nuspel]

Photoshop and damn I have to upgrade again :wall-an:

[ericmark]

Because I have to use it in college course Photoshop CS4 but it has problems with HDR and Photonaut is better at the first stage of process once in 32bit format Photoshop CS4 works OK.
I use Bridge to select files saves moving files into draws to make contact sheets and also use to select for HDR and other photo merge.
The Pentax software works to convert RAW files to Jpeg but have to admit with the brush and filter photoshop CS4 does a far better job.
Until six months ago I used Photoshop 7 and was happy with it. But now I complain most bitterly when college library had CS2 instead of CS4 installed as CS2 would not handle my RAW files.
Looking on write up on CS5 I am waiting to buy that on student license for home.
I have seem GIMP listed on Linux but not tried it. Did not realize it was a photo program I thought it was like MSN shows how much I know.
Tried Paint Shop Pro 7 and it was far better than Photoshop 7 for scanned images.
I will freely admit the main reason I use Photoshop both 7 and 11 (CS4) is because we are taught on it in college. Before doing course I had no idea about even the existence of HDR and panorama functions and also no idea how much more can be done with RAW images. Lab Colour was quite a surprise and much easier than HDR and I would have never found it had I not been shown.
Likely had the college had Paint shop pro installed on their Macs then I would have been hooked on that.
Once I started with Photoshop I bought the Lynda.com instruction set and learnt even more.
Some how I can't see me getting some other all singing dancing software and start learning all over again.
Exception is Picturenaut as it is visible better and does not give purple edge to clouds. Nor does it make sky supper blue.
Using on MAC and PC they are similar but not the same. I will admit MAC is the better computer but they drive me crazy as so many of the simple things are different. So easy to press PrtSc and copy into paint lot easier to remember than cap/Alt/3 having said that near every process I did I had to write about it so if there is any way to up-load word or Acrobat I can put up detailed instructions.

[Greg_Nuspel]

I forgot PTGui and Photomatix.

[Mad Aussie]

I use a couple...

First of all, Adobe Photoshop CS4. My personal favorite when it comes to photo editing. There is just so much you can do in there...

Then there's Adobe Lightroom 2.5. Basically, I use this as my primary database and raw editing software.
That explains me as well pretty much.

I like Lightroom for some stuff but find most of it's more complex editing to be awkward and clumsy.

I use Photomatix for HDR Merging but almost always take the HDR photo into PS for finishing off.

I have GIMP but never seem to find enough time to give it a real go.

[Bandit]

I use picasa for now. When I get a new computer, hopefully I'll be able to get something more powerful. At my level, picasa really serves me well.

[masp]

Hmm, when do you need to step up from a free photo management program like Picasa to something like Lightroom or Aperture?

I can see the advantage of using Photoshop with all the classes and third party support for it. I would like to stick with something that runs natively in Linux, but I have the feeling I'll want to switch over to Photoshop eventually if I get serious about photography.

[Mad Aussie]

Hmm, when do you need to step up from a free photo management program like Picasa to something like Lightroom or Aperture?

I can see the advantage of using Photoshop with all the classes and third party support for it. I would like to stick with something that runs natively in Linux, but I have the feeling I'll want to switch over to Photoshop eventually if I get serious about photography.
I guess money has some bearing in the cases of those programs you mentioned.
But also, when your current program doesn't seem to be fulfilling your requirements.

[JAS_Photo]

Lightroom, Photoshop Elements 8, Photomatix but I do not do a whole lot of HDR and the Topaz plug ins for Elements. Elements is probably your biggest bang for the buck at less then $100. Kelby on line training has a really good video that goes through all of its functions. I think it's about three hours long or so. I finally "get" layer masks. :) Kelby actually has quite alot of good videos, especially explaining some of the Nikons and Canons, how to use Photomatix, Joe McNally, lots of full Photoshop videos, and "how tos" on different kinds of photo shoots.

[craigUK]

I use PS CS4 fantastic software and sometimes Portrait Professional V9.5

[AcadieLibre]

Lightroom, and CS4 usually to resize it and make it web friendly, but for the most part just Lightroom for anything that I am going to print. CS4 I use on photos I have not intention of ever printing just so I keep up with at least some PS skills.

[masp]

Thanks for all the great replies. I think I have at least some idea of what to look for in the future now. :D

I noticed nobody mentioned the bundled RAW conversion software that came with their camera. Is this software generally not inconvenient to use (lacking batch processing and automation)? One would think that the manufacturer's software would do a superior job of converting RAW files (it's their camera after all), but maybe well supported thirty party vendors like Adobe can do as good a job or better?

[Wicked Dark]

I use Lightroom's converter only. Have never even loaded what my camera came with.

[Mad Aussie]

I used to use the canon software, but only to download and view the photos before exporting out to PS. When Lightroom came along I stopped using it.

[Fortytwo]

My Pentax camera shoots DNG as Raw files. So I don't need to convert it. Lightroom or Capture one will work with them perfectly...

[casil403]

Lightroom mainly....for HDR I stick with Photomatrix although I also have Dynamic Photo. I sometimes use PSE7 and Topaz adjust but not so much lately.
Right now I am completely addicted to the Nik Software bundle (Viveza, Silver Efex, DFine, and SharpenerPro but not so much the latter) so mainly I use a combination of LR and Nik these days. :)