ericmark
12-26-2013, 06:11 PM
Picturenaut - HDR I find with some better than CS4 other CS4 has the edge must admit CS5 is in the main better but this is free.
Hugin - Panorama Stitcher more options than CS5 seems to work very well.
PhotoStage Slideshow Producer - Produces an AV has to be down loaded as part of package but rest can be deleted after PicturestoEXE is better but this one does not write produced with evaluation copy at the top.
SM Tether - Allows control of Nikon cameras with PC. Not as good as the paid for versions but does allow timed long exposures and time lapse. One problem seems to be have to start as administrator but good to try out options.
FastStone Photo Resizer - Again have to down load as package and delete the rest but being able to select a whole batch of files and walk away and let it do it's stuff is an advantage. Also allows a water mark to be added so great for resizing before posting on web.
RawTherapee - Not only converts from RAW to Jpeg or other format but allows you to use the extra information in the RAW file in a similar way to Photoshop RAW 6.5 with sliders rather than having to drag the points on a curve. OK since I an use to using RAW 6.5 not really worth me changing but it is far better than UFraw which is normally used with Gimp.
Gimp - Can't really miss this out of the list. Photoshop CS5 is clearly better but for those on budget this is about the best of the free programs. However it will not deal directly with RAW files see RawTherapee above.
Although there are many cheap programs which are very good like Picturestoexe I have tried only to list the free ones here. There are also many bundled bits of software which are good but not really free. Again not including bundled software. May be others can extend this list? I realise those who already have Adobe products be it Light Room, Elements or Photoshop will not be really interested but I know my Nikon D7000 will not work with less than Photoshop RAW 6.5 but RawTherapee still works. So some listed will still be of use to those who have Adobe products.
Hugin - Panorama Stitcher more options than CS5 seems to work very well.
PhotoStage Slideshow Producer - Produces an AV has to be down loaded as part of package but rest can be deleted after PicturestoEXE is better but this one does not write produced with evaluation copy at the top.
SM Tether - Allows control of Nikon cameras with PC. Not as good as the paid for versions but does allow timed long exposures and time lapse. One problem seems to be have to start as administrator but good to try out options.
FastStone Photo Resizer - Again have to down load as package and delete the rest but being able to select a whole batch of files and walk away and let it do it's stuff is an advantage. Also allows a water mark to be added so great for resizing before posting on web.
RawTherapee - Not only converts from RAW to Jpeg or other format but allows you to use the extra information in the RAW file in a similar way to Photoshop RAW 6.5 with sliders rather than having to drag the points on a curve. OK since I an use to using RAW 6.5 not really worth me changing but it is far better than UFraw which is normally used with Gimp.
Gimp - Can't really miss this out of the list. Photoshop CS5 is clearly better but for those on budget this is about the best of the free programs. However it will not deal directly with RAW files see RawTherapee above.
Although there are many cheap programs which are very good like Picturestoexe I have tried only to list the free ones here. There are also many bundled bits of software which are good but not really free. Again not including bundled software. May be others can extend this list? I realise those who already have Adobe products be it Light Room, Elements or Photoshop will not be really interested but I know my Nikon D7000 will not work with less than Photoshop RAW 6.5 but RawTherapee still works. So some listed will still be of use to those who have Adobe products.