dsphoto

WARNING THIS IS A RANT

"I don't know if you want to limit your program usage to true open source or free software, or broaden it to include closed-source and paid-for applications as well."

Not to sound like an elitist, however, the more time I spend looking at open source the more compelling arguments I come across to stick with it.

yes there are many closed-source options that do a fine job and some that are still best of breed. But consider that Linux is less than 15 years old and surpasses the quality of MS Windows which I grew up on as a youngster (Remember when Windows 3.1 on DOS 5.0 was a huge move? ). What I mean to say is that Linux got to where it is because of community.

If you need 16 bit support then get involved. When people say there is no cost to open source I'd say that there is, the cost is time and passion. You enjoy GIMP because other people poured energy into it. You may not be a programmer, but as users we need to let them know that 16 bit is wanted and desired and in some cases required.

get on those discussion channels and let them know you want it.

Want to buy something? buy a book like "GIMP 2 for Photographers", or organize a GIMP course with your local photo club.

If the photoshop crowd never wanted 16 bit they'd still be 8 bit.

When I got my digital camera I was surprised to learn GIMP was only 8 bit. I was told after a while that no one wanted 16 bit. so where are we now? If you use a closed-source application they know what you want because you buy it. Open source communities know you want something because you ask for it and use the product.

Like they say what good is free speech if you don't use it. Free as in free speech, not free beer.

Look forward over the horizon and check out item for on the GIMP Development Q and A for high bit implementation http://developer.gimp.org/faq.html

Check out the generic graphics library http://www.gegl.org/, the new heart of GIMP?

Just a rant, thought I'd share.

P.S I Saved a government department $175,000 (CDN) last year, increased productivity by a factor of 12, and kicked our projected production goals out of the water by switching to an open source image processor for Aerial imagery (http://GDAL.ORG). I can tell you that after that, I got a lot of people to look at open source. if you're missing something in your workflow post it here and lets discuss.

Peter,

I too looked into using cinepaint / filmgimp a long time ago for satelite imagery I wanted to process (As I work in the field of geomatics). GIMP at the time had no 16 bit capability.

With the RAW image formats and UFRAW plugin dealing with 16 bit images what is your motivation to stay with cinegimp?

There is always talk in the air about GIMP going 16 bit native but I have not followed that discussion in a while.

Cheers

UFRAW works fine and so does the plugin. I speak from the linux world and a Nikon D70 User... UFRAW and GIMP work well together once you set it up. Not as out of the box as some users need, but if you're smart enough to understand digital photography, moving a few files around is a cinch.

If you're intereste din a book that helps lay it out check out "GIMP 2 for photographers" - Image Editing with Open Source Software- by Klaus Goelker.

About the link to the file above, I agree that a link to the executable is not a good idea either. However, I think so for different reasons. Unlike the slow paced world of closed source software, open source software often come out with regular updates and enhancements. To follow a link to an executable (for example today 5 months later) you are certainly limiting yourself to an old version.

Skip the middle man and go to the source.

And thoughts about gimpshop? Just use GIMP, if you can use MS word then any other word processor works the same. Same thing here, if you know PS then GIMP is quick to pick up... just take 5 minutes and RTM (Read the manual).

About 16 bit channels?... then UFRAW is your ticket

For the general and many professional photographers GIMP will fill every need. and you're customers will like it when you pass the savings on to them for less overhead.

just some thoughts

P.S BTW I started a thread discussion open source photo tools in general.

Cheers

Hey Folks,

It's been a while since I've been around and looks like things are changing nicely.

I thought I would start a thread concerning the use of open source tools for

photographers.

First off it would be good to meet some other photo.net people that are also

using open source tools. Second, it would be agood opportunity for other people

to learn about open source tools and how they can be used in their workflow.

I won't get into a banter about the benifits of open source or start defining

it. So I will start by listing some of the essential tools for photographers to

start with.

First, you need a graphics editor. We all know and have probably used Photoshop.

The equivalant open source tool is callend GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/). there

are few limitations in using this software. I have used GIMp for years but only

rcently got a book for it. "GIMP 2 for photographers" -Image Editing with Open

Source Software-. Pretty interesting so far.

For those of you using the wonderful RAW formats of the world you'd be

interested to know about UFRAW (http://ufraw.sourceforge.net/index.html). This

utility and program is used for managing and manipulating RAW image formats.

If you are using the GIMP there is a plugin that uses UFRAW to import photos

into GIMP.

if you are into using 16 bit channel images then UFRAW or DCRAW

(http://www.cybercom.net/~dcoffin/dcraw/) are a must.

so what about general viewing and cataloging? All Operating Systems come with

simple image viewers, but sometimes you might want something a bit more feature

rich.

I have just started using imgSEEk (www.imgseek.net) to manage some of my photos.

I'd be intereste dto learn what other people have been using for their cataloging.

So for those that are new or old hats learn and share away.

Cheers

Hey Folks,

Well first off I am closer to being a photographer than an amphibian.

I am looking for a way to take my D70 under water for skin diving...

no more than 10 feet.

I went to a local Dive shop (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) and realised

that you're paying almost double the price of the camera... for

instance for the Nikon D70 I am looking at around $3600 CDN by the

time it is all done.

This is what it is for

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/2dslr_dttl70.html

There are also bags out there like this

http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/ewa_marine/slr/housings.html

any reviews or sugestions?

Thanks

Cheers

As for business I have little to say except that from all my buddies I talk to they say give yourself 6 years from when you break in to the time your smooth sailing (which is equivalent to everyone working their ass off when being comapred to photographers). Myself I'm just getting started with greeting cards (lots to learn) as a means of getting my name out there.

Through this so far I have landed a few art shows.

I have also written to event organizers and have aquired media passes. Good experieince going through the process and a great way to get into events free while shooting... Basic principle, shoot now, sell later if you have the stuff.

Just incidently I have run into a few people that have contacts with local papers and such. I'm still waiting to see if that pans out.

If you want to make a living, it looks like wedding photography is the way to go... especialy if you like nature shots... wedings pay for the travel opportunities.

Two good books to check out.

1. Photographers Market (U.S Publication, also Canadian Version)

lots of interesting articles from model releases to organizing

stock images. It also lists 1000's of places to sell photos

2. The Travel Writers Handbook. By Louise Purrwin Zobel

Working backwords she talk about adding pictures to text to sell

text better. I was thinking opposite. Take my pictures and add

text to open new markets

I thought I'd share, because pretty soon photography might make me more money than working retail. And retail is my filler while I look for good work as a geographer...

Good luck

Dave Sampson