Does PS process 8 bit files as GIMP does or can I process raw images with PS?

[bnnrcn]

I use DPP for the time being,but I downloaded GIMP and started learning it with the help of videos on the internet.As far as I know from the threads in CIC ,I need a raw converter in order to process photos in GIMP and I have already DPP for this.GIMP doesn't open 16 bit TIFF files and converts them to 8 bit,so some information is lost already before starting PP in GIMP.So,is this the usual practice in photoshop as well?Do I start PP with an 8 bit file in photoshop or is it possible to process raw images and convert them to JPG or TIFF at the end of PP?
I want to choose the suitable tool for proper PP and I know from the threads that GIMP is a powerful tool,but ıt really sounds strange to me that GIMP starts PP with 8 bit files.So,if you can share your opinions about the matter I can make my mind clear about it and I can go and buy photoshop and learn it if necessary.

[dje]

Hi Binnur

The full version of Photoshop can handle 16 bit files and it also includes a raw converter called Adobe Camera Raw (ACR). After converting the raw file in ACR, you can open the 16 bit file directly in PS without having to worry about producing a tif. With the cut down version Photshop Elements, you can open a 16 bit file but as far as I know there is very little editing available for 16 bit files. Most editing can only be done on 8 bit files - well at least that's what it was like with version 9. I think it's up to version 11 or 12 now but I suspect that bit hasn't changed much - but I'm open to correction on that because I haven't used the latest version.

You can buy Photoshop Elements outright but I think that the only option for the full Photoshop now is the subscription version (so much per month).

Can't speak for GIMP I'm afraid.

Dave

[bnnrcn]

Thank you very much Dave,your explanation is very clear and useful for me.Let's see what the other members will say about GIMP.I think GIMP has got a lot of functions for PP but it doesn't accept raw files and it converts files to 8 bit just from the beginning.I don't think this is good for the quality of photo.

Hi Binnur

The full version of Photoshop can handle 16 bit files and it also includes a raw converter called Adobe Camera Raw (ACR). After converting the raw file in ACR, you can open the 16 bit file directly in PS without having to worry about producing a tif. With the cut down version Photshop Elements, you can open a 16 bit file but as far as I know there is very little editing available for 16 bit files. Most editing can only be done on 8 bit files - well at least that's what it was like with version 9. I think it's up to version 11 or 12 now but I suspect that bit hasn't changed much - but I'm open to correction on that because I haven't used the latest version.

You can buy Photoshop Elements outright but I think that the only option for the full Photoshop now is the subscription version (so much per month).

Can't speak for GIMP I'm afraid.

Dave

[Manfred M]

Gimp is a very good product and has a lot of functionality that other software does not; but you have identified a couple of weaknesses.

First of all, while in priciple, I agree with you regarding the 8-bit versus 16-bit work flow, I find that I cannot tell the difference between an 8-bit and a 16-bit edit most of the time. Yes, if you do something fairly drastic, then 8-bit is more likely to result in seeing artifacts. I find that these are usually visible in the sky, especially if there are subtle variations in essentially a cloudless blue sky. I can't say I've seen problems in any other areas going 8-bit.

The RAW conversion is a bit of a pain versus the integrated ACR, but then I will also use other RAW converters (Nikon View NX2 and DxO Optics Pro), so no big deal...

Where I find Gimp falls down is that is does not support many of the non-destructive editing techniques I use all the time. While it supports layer masks, I don't see the use of adjustment layers and clipping masks. Smart Object and Smart Filter support is also missing; both are key when using non-destructive editing techniques.

The other functionality that I use alot are the content aware tools that first showed up in CS5 and continued to evolve in CS6 and now in CC. I can do things that used to take easily 10 or 20 times longer when using the clone stamp tool.

So Gimp is a very good tool, for basic and even intermediate level image editing, but is completely outclassed when it comes to advanced work. That being said, it can't be beat for the price.

[bnnrcn]

Thank you very much Manfred.I'm not an advanced photographer at all.CIC helps me a lot to improve my knowledge and my skills.But I hope that I will live with photography for the rest of my life because I love it.So I have to decide if I have to buy photoshop to avoid learning one programme and moving to another one to learn again.Your answer about GIMP is very useful for me,thanks a lot.

Gimp is a very good product and has a lot of functionality that other software does not; but you have identified a couple of weaknesses.

First of all, while in priciple, I agree with you regarding the 8-bit versus 16-bit work flow, I find that I cannot tell the difference between an 8-bit and a 16-bit edit most of the time. Yes, if you do something fairly drastic, then 8-bit is more likely to result in seeing artifacts. I find that these are usually visible in the sky, especially if there are subtle variations in essentially a cloudless blue sky. I can't say I've seen problems in any other areas going 8-bit.

The RAW conversion is a bit of a pain versus the integrated ACR, but then I will also use other RAW converters (Nikon View NX2 and DxO Optics Pro), so no big deal...

Where I find Gimp falls down is that is does not support many of the non-destructive editing techniques I use all the time. While it supports layer masks, I don't see the use of adjustment layers and clipping masks. Smart Object and Smart Filter support is also missing; both are key when using non-destructive editing techniques.

The other functionality that I use alot are the content aware tools that first showed up in CS5 and continued to evolve in CS6 and now in CC. I can do things that used to take easily 10 or 20 times longer when using the clone stamp tool.

So Gimp is a very good tool, for basic and even intermediate level image editing, but is completely outclassed when it comes to advanced work. That being said, it can't be beat for the price.