Canon Enhancement Software vs. Picasa or Photoshop

[jhoulden]

I was wondering if anyone here uses the printer software (driver) to make any enhancements on their photos. I have a Canon mp830 and I have been using either Picasa or Photoshop to make all adjustments. I have assumed that the printer software is probably not worth playing with. The other thing I noticed was that if I print from with Photoshop, it allows me to select either Printer Manages Colors or Photoshop Manages Colors. Has anyone used this setting? I just leave it at default, Printer Manages Colors.

Any thoughts or expierences?

 

[lolopr1]

I was wondering if anyone here uses the printer software (driver) to make any enhancements on their photos. I have a Canon mp830 and I have been using either Picasa or Photoshop to make all adjustments. I have assumed that the printer software is probably not worth playing with. The other thing I noticed was that if I print from with Photoshop, it allows me to select either Printer Manages Colors or Photoshop Manages Colors. Has anyone used this setting? I just leave it at default, Printer Manages Colors.

Any thoughts or expierences?

My personal opinion and advice to you is that if you are use to work with Photoshop stay with it, you wont find a better software for photo editing and printing special if you are using the CS4 version. Why I tell you that Photoshop is the best photo editing software this is my opinion, the ability to work with layers and blending modes it's what makes Photoshop the best and more use program for photo editing. On the matter of Color Management if you are using custom printer profile you will select Photoshop Manages Colors and select the printer profile from the Printer Profile Box and them the Rendering Intent (Remember that you have to disable color management in the printer driver if you choose PS to Manage the Colors). But if you are not using a custom printer profile you should let the Printer Manage the colors. If you want to learn more about PS you can take a look in www.lynda.com or www.kelbytraining.com the last one been the cheapest, unfortunately they are not free but every penny is worth it if you want to learn all the tricks that PS has to offer.

Free Information
Color Management
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoshopcolormanagement/Color_Management_in_Photoshop.htm
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/photoshop-color-settings.html
http://www.computer-darkroom.com/ps9_print/ps9_print_1.htm

Layers
http://www.elated.com/articles/introduction-to-layers/
http://digital-photography-school.com/understanding-layers-in-photoshop

Blending Modes
www.northlite.net/ps/blend.htm