Free Image Processing Software

[Mike Farley]

A couple of magazines are offering free software at the moment. Both are older versions of current applications, but together should provide most required editing functions without having to pay a penny.

Digital Camera has Phase One's Capture 6 Express raw converter available for download, with the link which the mag provides expring on 19 August 2013. Judging by the list of supported cameras, it is around a year out of date, but will allow people to get a feel for the software without having to worry about a trial period expiring. Those who shoot Raw and have a camera released in the last year will first need to convert their files to DNG format use Adobe's free conversion software. There is also a 60 day trial for Capture 7 Express which will support the latest cameras and Phase One currently has a half price sale.

http://www.phaseone.com/en/Online-Store ... ess-7.aspx

I have played around with C6E and the controls are similar to Adobe's ACR, but there is no image editor integration. Unlike Lightroom the library functions are not as extensive and it does not have an adjustment history for each image. One thing that I have found is that whereas ACR applies a default value giving the images a red cast, the custom profile from my converted infrared camera is recognised and I do not have to apply a new profile as I have to in Lightroom.

Amateur Photographer is offering Cyberlinks PhotoDirector 3 in the next issue, which comes out on Tuesday, 25 June and is also a download with the supplied link being good until 22 July. As a subscriber, I have my copy already although I have not yet installed it, but it looks as though it will do most things people will require.

Included in the same edition of AP is a booklet by Damien Demolder describing advanced software processing techniques. I have only skimmed my copy so far, but it looks as though it will require close attention to get the best from it. Based on Damien's Wratten Lecture presentation, I expect the effort to be well rewarded and to get some useful information.

If anyone wants further details, drop me a PM.

[Mike Farley]

A quick update on the booklet included with the latest issue of AP which is out today. It gives a clear and succint explanation of the most commonly used functions when processing images, showing not only what to do but also why and in what situations. It's definitely worth the cover price alone, so Davidc can throw away the magazine unread and keep the freebie.

I have also had a quick look at PhotoDirector 3 and while it will do most things, unless you are really cost conscious, most people would be better off using Photoshop Elements. For anyone considering upgrading to version 4, the cost is currently £30 on Amazon, in other words roughly the same price as the occasional offers on PSE. No contest, in my opinion.

If you do need free image processing software, then take a look at GIMP as well. http://www.gimp.org/.