Adobe Lightroom CC
That's it! I said it. This is by far the best software that I am so glad to have been using for the past 4 to 5 years. It just makes editing so much fun, and it has such a vast scope when it comes to flexibility, with different elements of a photograph, such as highlights, contrast, texture, and so on. It has also saved me a number of times in situations where I thought I completely messed up some images due to reasons such as no control over the environment, lack of light, or OCF failing situations... yes, it happens with the best of us! We're learning every day! (This is also why photographers don't necessarily...enjoy, for lack of a better term, sharing raw images..but more on that later maybe in another blog?)
Check out my blog where I discuss Adobe Lightroom Features I'm Grateful For which can help you learn further more about this beast of a software. Did I mention how deliberate and well-thought-out their upgrades are, btw? Every. Single. Time!
Adobe Photoshop
Everyone has heard of Photoshop. It is literally a synonym now for 'edit it out' LOL. I don't blame anyone though, because that is indeed what the software is primarily made for; for editing and playing around with images, using your own imagination. I find myself using Photoshop not too often and mainly for edits that (I think) would be noticeable only by my own eyes. I could be wrong, thoooo.
I use it to edit out large disturbing elements from images that seem to be snatching the overall beauty of an image, such as a car or a lawn mower!
Sometimes, clients request minor tweaks to themselves; either to their eyes, hair, or arms. Although body manipulation is not encouraged at ansarilens, in the end, we ensure happy clients so Photoshop comes to the rescue in such cases as well.
Another way I use Photoshop is to put together my Instagram posts for the carousels. If you view my posts, they have a sort of togetherness when you swipe through the post, you get what I mean? Well, I use Photoshop for that! Yes, I know there are now mobile apps for that, but I like to work more comfortably on my PC!
Adobe Photoshop Elements Editor
When I started off as a Wedding & Lifestyle Photographer, I didn't fully take into consideration the seriousness of the possibility of capturing important family photos and moments; and having the subject's eyes closed :') YES! I'm sure this has happened to you at some point as well if you're in the business of capturing moving objects or group photos. Especially when you may not have another shot at the moment. *sobbing*
In all honesty, I'm sure this software has many more amazing features but man I did not take a single extra second to ponder over purchasing this guy because I have saved so many family portraits and moments, ALL thanks to this software's Closed Eye Correction feature! I kid you not, it works like magic.
I (obviously) initially got the trial version and when I found myself using it quite often for my photo sessions, I decided to make the one-time payment of USD 100, and have never looked back (especially not with my eyes closed; hahaha I had to, sorry!)
