5 favorite freebies for photographers

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Note: I’ve received more than a few inquiries about the ‘acetate’ (diffusion screen material) referred to in the DIY lighting videos. We use ROSCO Tough Frost diffusion material #3026, it’s color neutral, heat resistant and very durable…a genuine investment. One of this site’s sponsors, Calumet Photographic, sells it in 20″ x 24″ sheets for $7.95. We buy it in 48″ x 25′ foot rolls for $136.99. If you want to go big, the 48″ x 25′ roll will make 3 full size 4′ x 8′ panels. Or if anyone buys a roll and has excess they’d like to offer through prophotolife please let me know and I’ll post it. - Jim T.

Shop Calumet Photographic - It’s Where the Pros Go

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On to the freebies…

1. The GIMP - image editing software (Window, Mac, Linux)

The GIMP is free download, open-source image editing software, kind of a free version of Photoshop. It’s similar to Photoshop but more basic (no real color management) and it lacks some of the capabilities (it has layers but not adjustment layers). But if you don’t have Photoshop, just want to experiment with something else (aren’t we all curious?) or want to join the open source software community, try the GIMP. Here’s a tip: finding the download for your particular computer might be hard for the non-tech savvy. Once on their site just jump to the bottom of any page and look under “downloads”.

2. Open Office - word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software (Windows, Mac, Linux)
More free download, open-source software. This is an extensive suite similar in capability to Microsoft Office, just without the huge developmental and support budget (and cost). You can read and save in Microsoft .doc and Excel file formats so you’re compatible with the rest of the world. I admit it: this is what I use at home and it’s MS Office for work.

3. Corbis READYMECH Cameras - downloadable pinhole cameras
Download these crazy pinhole camera patterns, print them out at home, and cut and fold them into your own working, distinctive 35mm camera. Even if you’re not interested in pinhole cameras you should definitely see these objets d’art.

4. Firefox - web browser (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Another free download, open-source software. A lot of my site visitors are already using Firefox. I love the way the tabs work, folders are really easy to setup and navigate, and the plugins are amazing.

• 4a. FireFTP - Firefox FTP plugin - An FTP client that works right in your Firefox Browser! Convenient and easy to setup. It’s all I use anymore.
• 4b. Sage - Firefox RSS Reader plugin - A really simple, clean RSS Reader that plugs into Firefox and opens a side window when needed. “It’s got a lot of what you need and not much of what you don’t”, according to the website.

5.
- image organizing and editing software (Windows, Linux)
Freeware from Google, Picasa is kind of like iPhoto for Windows (and Linux, using a supplied emulator). This is the only decent image organizing software I’ve found for a Linux machine. Plus the RAW file conversions are pretty darn good. It’s simple and limited in capability but what it does, it does well.

6. The Prophotolife Business E-booklet
Okay, listing my own booklet might be considered cheating so it’s listed as number 6 (out of 5!).

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