Just this evening, I rolled out that my channel on YouTube will be celebrating 5 years in a few days and my blog will be celebrating 6 years in a couple of weeks... so I have definitely had my practice with different types of Photo and Video software over the years. I am pretty comfortable with what I currently use now... though I am always on the search for something fun and user friendly. Here are the questions for this month's task along with my answers. Feel free to comment and let me know what programs you use and like too :)
1) What program(s) have you used in the past for editing your photos and/or videos? Can you provide a short review, likes/dislikes?
Since I run my own Photog business, it seems as if I have been using Photoshop / Photoshop Elements forever. I remember when I first started editing images... and used and old school Photo Editing program which at the time was expensive and did everything without utilizing the "layers" concept that Photoshop is so popular for today. I have used everything from online editors like BeFunky to Photobucket but find myself coming back to Photoshop and I really have a hard time transitioning to anything else. I feel if I stop using the software, I have a hard time getting back into it. I think Photoshop is not technically "user friendly". It does take some learning and getting used to - but once you do, the options for layers, actions and so much more are endless. It's one of those softwares that you can constantly upgrade or update without actually having to buy new software, because so many developers are constantly developing cool editing features that you just have to install. If I had to start all over again and try out new photo editors, I know that I would use Photoshop again and still back it 100%.
With regard to video editing programs... yikes, just like Photo programs, maybe even more... I have tried so many I can't even count them on my 10 fingers. I started editing with Windows Movie Maker and was not impressed with what WMM offered. I wanted the sparkle and the pizzazz that I seen for other vids... but still wanted something user friendly. From time to time I do use One True Media, which is an online site for video editing and I still love their features. Even after almost 5 years... I'm still a Pro Member and utilize some of their cool transitions and slideshows for projects I do today. I have used Pinnacle for about a year and did really like the program. It allowed me to do my chroma key and green screen without much issue... but the software itself took up a lot of space on my computer and slowed down, even if my video card is one of the highest to perform the tasks at hand. I think the software itself had a lot of bugs and while I did enjoy the many options it had available, it was one I would not repurchase again and have not used it in over a year. Currently I use two video softwares for editing: AVS Video Editor, which is my main editor and allows me to do my basic and a few other awesome features and then my Slideshow editor which I use for photos (especially when doing tutorials) which is Pro Show. AVS Video Editor was downloaded straight to my computer and cost me about $50 for unlimited use (basically forever) and the Pro Show I actually pay a yearly fee and use their online editing tool.
1) What program(s) have you used in the past for editing your photos and/or videos? Can you provide a short review, likes/dislikes?
Since I run my own Photog business, it seems as if I have been using Photoshop / Photoshop Elements forever. I remember when I first started editing images... and used and old school Photo Editing program which at the time was expensive and did everything without utilizing the "layers" concept that Photoshop is so popular for today. I have used everything from online editors like BeFunky to Photobucket but find myself coming back to Photoshop and I really have a hard time transitioning to anything else. I feel if I stop using the software, I have a hard time getting back into it. I think Photoshop is not technically "user friendly". It does take some learning and getting used to - but once you do, the options for layers, actions and so much more are endless. It's one of those softwares that you can constantly upgrade or update without actually having to buy new software, because so many developers are constantly developing cool editing features that you just have to install. If I had to start all over again and try out new photo editors, I know that I would use Photoshop again and still back it 100%.
With regard to video editing programs... yikes, just like Photo programs, maybe even more... I have tried so many I can't even count them on my 10 fingers. I started editing with Windows Movie Maker and was not impressed with what WMM offered. I wanted the sparkle and the pizzazz that I seen for other vids... but still wanted something user friendly. From time to time I do use One True Media, which is an online site for video editing and I still love their features. Even after almost 5 years... I'm still a Pro Member and utilize some of their cool transitions and slideshows for projects I do today. I have used Pinnacle for about a year and did really like the program. It allowed me to do my chroma key and green screen without much issue... but the software itself took up a lot of space on my computer and slowed down, even if my video card is one of the highest to perform the tasks at hand. I think the software itself had a lot of bugs and while I did enjoy the many options it had available, it was one I would not repurchase again and have not used it in over a year. Currently I use two video softwares for editing: AVS Video Editor, which is my main editor and allows me to do my basic and a few other awesome features and then my Slideshow editor which I use for photos (especially when doing tutorials) which is Pro Show. AVS Video Editor was downloaded straight to my computer and cost me about $50 for unlimited use (basically forever) and the Pro Show I actually pay a yearly fee and use their online editing tool.
AVS Video Editor
2) What program(s) are you currently using for editing your photos and/or videos? Can you provide a short review, likes/dislikes?
I think I kind of answered that one in the question above, sorry... thinking ahead of myself. lol
3) What are your thoughts on image editing websites; free or purchased?
Honestly, if you can find a free download or free editing site and it is easy enough for you to use and get the job done, I don't see that there is a problem regarding it. More power to anyone that can produce anything they need and not need to pay for it. As I mentioned before... when it comes to Photo editing, my go-to is Photoshop because I also use it for my business... but if I didn't need to - I'm sure I would still be utilizing a free editor. With regard to Video editing... there are some fun ones out there that offer free services or a small monthly fee. My problem with free services is sometimes you have to either host your own or you may have a limit on the amount you can and cannot do - so I rather go with a software, knowing that in a year - I can still find my videos or images if needed.
4) What are your thoughts on editing videos directly on Youtube's website?
I have used that Editor once, before they made all the added affects and fonts and stuff. I particularly didn't like it because of its lack of options - but I don't really have anything bad to say about it. I like that the option is offered and I'm happy it is, because 5 years ago when I started, it was not an option or available to me.
5) What program(s) would you recommend for beginner bloggers?
Hmmm... honestly, I say this pretty often and mean it when I do... Photos should tell a story, not the editing. If you image is clear and accurate, there is no need for editing except for maybe some brightness... so basic programs like PicMonkey, Photobucket, Gimp and others will work and are completely user friendly once you get the hang of it. When you learn your software, then you can play and have some fun (that's just my opinion). With regard to video editing - use what you know you will be able to go to if your computer should fail or in the case you have any issues... you will always have a back up program later to fall back on just in case. Basic software like WMM or even YouTube editor are great for beginners. It's been such a long time since I used WMM that for me it is weird. lol But, the options are endless honestly.
6) What is your editing process like? Do you edit individual pieces or schedule a day for all your editing?
I usually edit all images I take the day I take them. Everything in my mind is fresh and I can retake the images in the case lighting is not ideal. Videos - hmm... I usually film a few in one day once a week, so I actually edit a video a day trying to make it so I'm not sitting down for 6 hours straight just editing... which honestly, if you do youtube videos, you know this is possible even if you don't want to do it.
7) On average, how much time do you think you spend on editing images and videos in a week?
For my photos - I probably take about an hour in a whole week, but I'm constantly taking photos. For videos - each video averages 40 - 60 minutes to edit depending on what needs to be done and I edit videos about 2-3 days out of the week.
This was a pretty lengthy post - but I'm glad it was our task for March because I get asked these questions time and time again... it's nice to get it all out and written down. If you have any questions and I did not cover or answer what you may have had in mind, please don't hesitate to ask. I think I may have kind of rushed through this post a bit - so I apologize if it was a little weird to read. lol Lack of sleep will do that to you!
Sprinkles, Glitter and Sparkles to all!
xoxo
Honey
I think I kind of answered that one in the question above, sorry... thinking ahead of myself. lol
3) What are your thoughts on image editing websites; free or purchased?
Honestly, if you can find a free download or free editing site and it is easy enough for you to use and get the job done, I don't see that there is a problem regarding it. More power to anyone that can produce anything they need and not need to pay for it. As I mentioned before... when it comes to Photo editing, my go-to is Photoshop because I also use it for my business... but if I didn't need to - I'm sure I would still be utilizing a free editor. With regard to Video editing... there are some fun ones out there that offer free services or a small monthly fee. My problem with free services is sometimes you have to either host your own or you may have a limit on the amount you can and cannot do - so I rather go with a software, knowing that in a year - I can still find my videos or images if needed.
4) What are your thoughts on editing videos directly on Youtube's website?
I have used that Editor once, before they made all the added affects and fonts and stuff. I particularly didn't like it because of its lack of options - but I don't really have anything bad to say about it. I like that the option is offered and I'm happy it is, because 5 years ago when I started, it was not an option or available to me.
5) What program(s) would you recommend for beginner bloggers?
Hmmm... honestly, I say this pretty often and mean it when I do... Photos should tell a story, not the editing. If you image is clear and accurate, there is no need for editing except for maybe some brightness... so basic programs like PicMonkey, Photobucket, Gimp and others will work and are completely user friendly once you get the hang of it. When you learn your software, then you can play and have some fun (that's just my opinion). With regard to video editing - use what you know you will be able to go to if your computer should fail or in the case you have any issues... you will always have a back up program later to fall back on just in case. Basic software like WMM or even YouTube editor are great for beginners. It's been such a long time since I used WMM that for me it is weird. lol But, the options are endless honestly.
6) What is your editing process like? Do you edit individual pieces or schedule a day for all your editing?
I usually edit all images I take the day I take them. Everything in my mind is fresh and I can retake the images in the case lighting is not ideal. Videos - hmm... I usually film a few in one day once a week, so I actually edit a video a day trying to make it so I'm not sitting down for 6 hours straight just editing... which honestly, if you do youtube videos, you know this is possible even if you don't want to do it.
7) On average, how much time do you think you spend on editing images and videos in a week?
For my photos - I probably take about an hour in a whole week, but I'm constantly taking photos. For videos - each video averages 40 - 60 minutes to edit depending on what needs to be done and I edit videos about 2-3 days out of the week.
This was a pretty lengthy post - but I'm glad it was our task for March because I get asked these questions time and time again... it's nice to get it all out and written down. If you have any questions and I did not cover or answer what you may have had in mind, please don't hesitate to ask. I think I may have kind of rushed through this post a bit - so I apologize if it was a little weird to read. lol Lack of sleep will do that to you!
Sprinkles, Glitter and Sparkles to all!
xoxo
Honey
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