I’ve decided that photo backdrops are the way to go for my new layout and learning to use a photo editing application would be a good idea. I’ll probably use it to print surfaces for stuctures a la Mindheim too.
I’m looking for suggestions for a good straight-forward Mac program that doesn’t have a steep learning curve. About 5-6 years ago I tried a program and it was basically undecipherable for me so I got rid of it. It is time to try again. Any suggestions about photo printers for backdrops would be appreciated too. Thanks.
I use Adobe Elements and it does everything I want to do for both hobby and family photos.
Although I use the Windows version I don’t see why the Mac would be much different. You can choose between three levels of complexity and switch between them as needed while editing a single photo.
In the “expert” mode there is a “photostitch” utility that allows you to make broad landscapes by merging photos.
I mostly use older version 11 but I recently “upgraded” to the 2019 version.
I bought the “program” on a DVD (some call them apps, now?). I don’t use the monthly “cloud” subscription. I believe the licence allows me to have it on three computers.
I believe there is a 30 day free trial you can download. The list price is around $90 but if you watch for discounts you can find a street price closer to $60.
Note: I come at this from a fine art photo background that might not be applicable to how you want to do your backdrops.
Most of the photo editing software works in a similar fashion. I would suggest photo shop elements (probably the same as the previously mentioned Adobe Elements). It is a less fully featured version of Photoshop. Once you get the hang of Elements, you can easily step up to regular Photoshop if you need any of the advanced features. Google any questions you have about the software rather than using the photoshop/Elements help section - you will get better answers more quickly.
BTW: One overlooked issue with many of these programs is file management (especially true of Lightroom). Make sure your file tree is rock solid and consistent. Decisions made at the beginning of the process are a hassle to change later. Especially once you have lots of images in the system and are having trouble keeping track of things. The first decision is whether to store the images in I photo… Opinions vary, but I personally don’t use it.
Back drops of any quality will likely require very large files - especially if you stitch several images together. These may choke a basic desktop, so your expense may extend to a new computer (or upgrade) depending on your current machine.
I would send the files to be printed on a comercial printer. Purchasing and maintaining a quality printer (Epson and the like) is lots of expense and time for just a few prints. Printer inks dry out when not in use and are expensive to replace. I have found Costco to be good for inexpensive testing of large prints for resolution issues before coughing up big bucks or the final print.
Thanks for everyone’s comments so far. To clarify what I am planning to do, I am modeling the Maryland Midland. I have a shelf layout with a 14 inch backdrop all the way around it that is already painted sky blue. Most of the trees will be painted on the backdrop, but I would like to use photographs that I have taken along with Google Earth downloads to be able to print out area-specific things like background buildings, rivers and roads that would be cut out and glued to the back drop. A photo printer that could do 14 inches long should do just fine (I hope!).
I use a Brother ink jet printer scanner fax that handles 11x17 paper. If I need a longer section my local Fed/Ex Kinkos can print out my spliced together photos from a thumb drive.
