Capture One Express

[Uncle Kevriano]

Greetings. I'm actually asking a question! I thought I'd give this program a go, to see if I can ditch my Adobe subscription, not because I hate it, but if I can get something free, all the better. Anyway, I quite like it BUT, does anyone know if you can add a border to the image, like I do on all of mine, and whether you can add a signature. I have been unable to find an answer online as everything refers to the Pro version which is way too expensive.
TIA

 

[TC6969]

I would think that any app that supported layers would do what you want.

If you're already familiar with Photoshop, GIMP will be very easy for you, and its free!

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

I would think that any app that supported layers would do what you want.

If you're already familiar with Photoshop, GIMP will be very easy for you, and its free!

I hate gimp. Too messy

 

[spudhead]

Greetings. I'm actually asking a question! I thought I'd give this program a go, to see if I can ditch my Adobe subscription, not because I hate it, but if I can get something free, all the better. Anyway, I quite like it BUT, does anyone know if you can add a border to the image, like I do on all of mine, and whether you can add a signature. I have been unable to find an answer online as everything refers to the Pro version which is way too expensive

Greetings. I'm actually asking a question! I thought I'd give this program a go, to see if I can ditch my Adobe subscription, not because I hate it, but if I can get something free, all the better. Anyway, I quite like it BUT, does anyone know if you can add a border to the image, like I do on all of mine, and whether you can add a signature. I have been unable to find an answer online as everything refers to the Pro version which is way too expensive.
TIA

express is ok but its a teaser really as the pro version is so much better I personally find. I just checked prices and the pro has doubled in price since last year quite a shock.

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

express is ok but its a teaser really as the pro version is so much better I personally find. I just checked prices and the pro has doubled in price since last year quite a shock.

Yeah this is why I asked. Looks like Express is too limiting for me. £299 for Pro is basically 30 months of Photoshop, which both my wife and I can use on the same licence as it's for 2 devices, and I can guarantee it will always stay completely up to date. A shame, I like the look of Capture.

Darktable does both, is as powerful as Lightroom, is very well supported, and it totally free.

I agree about Gimp. It was choked with a bunch of features that reminded me of the old Broderbund Print Shop.

Thanks for that, I will have a look at Darktable and report back. Gimp was fine back in the day, I used it back when I first had a Mac in 1995, but it hasn't really evolved since, and actually, on Windows is not that user friendly.

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

They used to publish a new version every year with updates in between. Once COVID and lockdowns hit they started doing them twice per year, I guess the programmers were bored! Current version is 3.8.1, I believe.

There is a learning curve, but the environment is fairly familiar to most. There's an Aussie named Bruce Williams who has an extremely large tutorial channel on You Tube, he does an excellent job. I watched a lot of his stuff when we first went into lockdown over here. He recently posted a two-part video for newbies that focuses on the new release. Part 1 is more about importing/exporting UI etc. If you want to see the basics and how modules work before you download, watch Part 2.

Well, that was infuriating! I'll be sticking with paying Adobe, it's no wonder it's the top program!

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

LOL. What happened?

Trying to suss out cropping was a nightmare, even with a tutorial or manual, and I couldn't fathom adding a border or text (without importing a .png, which I don't use). I liked some of the features, but maybe it's too like Lightroom, which I have never got on with, much preferring CC.

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Unless they removed the module you can add a border in the program. I don't use it so I don't know if they deprecated it. You can add text in the watermark feature, or use a preset like shown below. Cropping is simple.

In all honesty, looking at a program like this for a few minutes and declaring it a nightmare isn't a fair assessment. Having said that, I find myself thinking the exact same thing every time I try out C1, Luminar, etc. The only one I've come close with is Affinity and I need to put more time into it.

DSC00301 by Shotglass Photo, on Flickr

I played for about 90 minutes before wanting to lob the laptop out of the window

 

[DavidN]

Skylum have issued their new Neo program today - maybe worth a look?

 

[RHerr]

I am currently using Capture One Express 22 version 15.3.1.15.

I have read every article about watermarks and how to add watermarks to images but for the life of me, i cannot find watermarks in the program.

Every article tells me to open the Export icon and a tab for watermarks is under the Exports. Well please look at the attached screen shot and tell me where is the watermarks.

 

[spudhead]

I am currently using Capture One Express 22 version 15.3.1.15.

I have read every article about watermarks and how to add watermarks to images but for the life of me, i cannot find watermarks in the program.

Every article tells me to open the Export icon and a tab for watermarks is under the Exports. Well please look at the attached screen shot and tell me where is the watermarks.

Express is a cut down version and watermarks may not be included, I use capture 22 pro and you are in the right place, if you click the 3 dots do you get any options?

 

[Clix Pix]

A few years ago I tried Capture One Express for Sony, and although I was not 100% thrilled with it, decided that probably the limitations were why I was frustrated, so went ahead and bought the full program. Ehhhhhh...... After a while I finally reached the sad conclusion that the limitations were my own and that the program was way, way over my head and had too many features and functions that I would never need or use, so I reluctantly gave up on it altogether and that was that. Eventually found my way to DXO PhotoLab and have been happy with that program ever since.