Photo-Editing Program Plug-Ins to Enhance Your Photography

When I first converted to “digital” imaging, I also converted from having a lab develop my film prints to using Photoshop Elements (version 1.0) and Photoshop (version 4.0) to help me maximize my photographs and print them. Digital cameras became more sophisticated, digital SLRs were introduced, and with them came advanced versions of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. As I advanced my camera purchases and became more prolific than ever before with my photography, I found I had to learn new skills for my “digital darkroom”. I spent untold hours trying to learn everything Photoshop & Elements could do. You might wonder why I had both levels of programs on my computers. I found they had different tools and capabilities, each of which had their place depending on my intent with a photograph. 

Then I discovered “Plug-ins”. “Plug-ins” are programs that add new features and capabilities to your photo-editing program. Whether you use Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Corel Photo Paint, Ulead PhotoImpact, or some other photo-editing program, these plug-ins are usually added to your program’s “filter” or “effect” menu. Some of these are also stand alone programs as well as being a plug-in. Some offer both in one package while others require you to choose whether you want it to be stand-alone or a plug-in. 

At first, I was leery of spending my hard earned dollars for these “plug-ins”. I looked at the capabilities of the filters included in my Photoshop/Elements programs and knew I was not fully exploiting all the features that I had for no more money than the program had already cost me. I struggled to emulate the effects I was seeing other people accomplish. I began to realize that they were making these effects in less time and with greater success than I was because they had these “plug-ins”.