Image manipulation programmes

A digital darkroom consists of a computer loaded with an operating system and software designed to work with images. Photo-manipulation software used to be specialised and expensive, now it is common place and can be cheap.

Adobe Photoshop:
For many years Adobe Photoshop was the main programme used by designers and photographers to control images on computer. Whilst Photoshop remains the most commonly used in the professional field, many alternatives now exist, most work in a similar way to Photoshop.

Adobe Photoshop Elements:
Designed as an easier to use version of Photoshop.

Paint Shop Pro:
One of the first of the alternatives, now a very powerful programme.

The Gimp: FREE
Originally written for Linux but also available to run on Windows and Mac. Running on Linux this is my programme of choice. It has many advantages over Photoshop.

Raw Converters: There are now a number of excellent 'Stand-Alone' raw file converters.
Favorites include: Ufraw, RawTherapee, Lightroom and Darktable.

Why do you need these programmes?
There are many reasons why you might need to manipulate an image.

Cropping:
One of the most common tasks in digital imaging is to crop an image to change the shape or proportions, or to remove unwanted parts on the edges of the frame.
Resizing:
Images are measured in physical size and resolution.
For some uses an image might need to be a specific size. Pictures can be re-sized and their resolution altered for these purposes.
For printing on photographic printers the image usually needs to be at the size required and at 300 dpi ( dots per inch ).
For use on a web site they need to be 72 dpi.

 
Colour Changes:
There are occasions when the colour of an image might need to be changed, either to correct a problem, or to deliberately alter the original. Brightness and contrast can also be adjusted.

Graphic Effects:
These programmes can be used to alter images and turn them in to graphics.

Graphic design:
Most photomanipulation programmes can also be used to create graphic design. They are a good choice for creating posters and leaflets based on images.

Combining images:
It is possible to combine images to create a photo-collage or copy elements of one image and place them on an other.

There are hundreds of other programmes available.

An image manipulation programme is essential to work with images, but you might also find a use for a Desk Top Publishing programme if you intend creating publications. There is a wide choice of programmes available ranging from professional software like Quark Express through to MS Publisher. Scribus is excellent running on all operating systems.
Some office programmes will also allow a small amount of design work to be undertaken - Libre Office is probably the best in this area.

A computer designed for image manipulation requires specifications that differ from one used for more general office duties. You can e-mail and surf the internet on almost any computer, even the latest versions of office programmes will run on a moderately specified computer, but to work with large photographic images you require plenty of memory.
Much more on computers

Memory - RAM
A typical new computer will be supplied with 4gb of RAM, which is fine on a Linux computer but to work comfortably If you are running Windows - 4gb would be the minimum requirement and you probably need 8gb.

Storage - Hard Disk
To store images on the computer a reasonable size hard disk is required. In the past year the size of hard disks on new computers has risen so most have plenty of space, but older computers might have a problem. 80Gb should be large enough to accommodate the operating system, program files and work in progress, but bigger disks will be needed is you want to store a lot of images. Photographs can be large, one designed to print at A3 size will be about 50mb, 20 images will take up a Gigabyte of disk space.
External USB hard disks can be used to store and back-up files.

CD / DVD-Writer
In order to 'back-up' and transport images a CD/DVD-writer is important, whilst there are other options, a CD/DVD-writer is the cheapest and most flexible choice. Most computers have DVD-Roms so storing images on CD/DVD means that they can be seen on any computer. DVD writers are now cheap and can be used to back-up larger amounts of data. ( You will need a DVD - writer )

Monitor
A good monitor is essential, professionals use large screens, but any size will do so long as it is capable of giving a clear sharp picture.
IPS screens are the best - so spend a bit more and get a good one.

More on Monitors 
Flatbed Scanners
Will scan flat artwork and photographs. They need not be expensive and almost any of the scanners available will do a good job.

Some flatbed scanners with also scan from negatives, but generally these are not as good as dedicated film scanners.
Film Scanners
Designed for film, are expensive, costing more than a basic computer. For the same price you can buy a good digital camera.