Digital Photo programs

[nealymouse]

Im looking for a really good digital photo program to install on my computer. I am using microsoft image 7.0 now but I think I have read you guys talk about another one that is really good.

I want to be able to do lots of stuf, Not looking for a beginner one but I would also like one that is easy to use ??

Thanks in advance

 

[MICKEY88]

Im looking for a really good digital photo program to install on my computer. I am using microsoft image 7.0 now but I think I have read you guys talk about another one that is really good.

I want to be able to do lots of stuf, Not looking for a beginner one but I would also like one that is easy to use ??

Thanks in advance

picassa and gimp are good free programs, other prefer photo shop, and

some of us prefer PAint Shop PRo PHoto XI.



you can download a free 30 day trial version of paint shop pro photo from corel...

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

My MIL uses Picasa and Corel.

 

[Gdad]

I started out with Photoshop Elements 4 - Now I think they have version 5. Upgraded to Photoshop CS2 a few months ago when they had a special offer to Elements users- but honestly 90% of CS2 you can do in Elements.

 

[MassJester]

I started out with Photoshop Elements 4 - Now I think they have version 5. Upgraded to Photoshop CS2 a few months ago when they had a special offer to Elements users- but honestly 90% of CS2 you can do in Elements.

Just curious, what tasks do you find that need photoshop for?

 

[fairestoneofall]

Right now, I'm using PSElements 4.0.

 

[Gdad]

Just curious, what tasks do you find that need photoshop for?

Mainly for actions- so you can run a series of kind of pre-defined repetative tasks on a picture. Also was curious about 'curves' but I hardley ever use them now. (And I think PE5 has curves adjustment anyway.)

 

[eagles]

my main puter is dead now. but i installed elements 4.0 on it, used it and loved it! i think it was very easy to use. i would love to upgrade to ps cs2 with the special they are running right now, but i can't find my elements number.

 

[DueyDooDah]

Just curious, what tasks do you find that need photoshop for?

Click here for a complete comparison.

 

[jann1033]

i have photoshop elements 5 and like the program but had a horrendous amount of problems with the downloaded version ...raised a stink till they sent me a cd and since then...and they put a "fix" online for the problems they swore it didn't have...i haven't had a problem with it. i like the raw converter from canon camera software better though( digital professional or something like that) for naturally, raw conversion...

hmm i must like to fight with major corporations...first adobe, now canon, who will be next? the tobacco industry? ( )

the missing manual for phot.e 5 says if you use raw you should pay the $600+ for the big guy but i am using my free software instead and then sending it to the pe5 editor which is an extra step but working fine so far

eagles what is the deal?

 

[JR6ooo4]

I have not used elements since 2.0. But for that version there was a book and cd called hidden features of elements 2.0 (or something like that)
the cd unlocked even more tools bringing it closer to 95% capabilities of the $600-800 version.
I had Photoshop 7.0 and was able to upgrade to PS CS2 for only $150 (about 6 months ago)

Mikeeee

 

[carolina_yankee]

I would recommend a combination of programs.

If you have a PC:

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom (new product), which is a great organizer and intergrates with Photoshop (and presumable Photoshop Elements). It will allow you to make some significant processing adjustments, especially with RAW, but also jpeg files, so it will probably suffice for most of your work. Simplifies workflow, too.

Then, Photoshop Elements for the more advanced stuff you would want to do. The more you get into post-processing, the more you will find a need for the things Photoshop Elements can do.

If you have a Mac:
Aperture for organizing, and the RAW work (a la Lightroom, but Aperture came first). And the Photoshop Elements.

Aperture and Lightroom are both a hefty hit to the wallet, but truth be told - I find them a massively better working epxerience than iPhoto (Mac) and the old Photoshop Elements Album organizer (which I did like). The RAW intergration seals it for me.

Dirk

 

[nealymouse]

Thank you for all the replys WOW. Can I down load all these programs from the internet?

 

[carolina_yankee]

You should be able to download all the programs mentioned in this thread. Some may have trial versions, but most you'll probably have to fork $$$ over. Most sites have very good information about what their program can do before you make a decision.

The nice thing about PHotoshop, Photoshop Elements, Aperture, and Lightroom is that they are all well documented, particularly with 3rd party books. The "missing manual" series is always a good start.

Dirk

 

[MICKEY88]

Thank you for all the replys WOW. Can I down load all these programs from the internet?

picassa , gimp, and paint shop pro photo XI can all be downloaded,

I've used all 3, paint shop pro photo XI being my favorite, it has an easy elarning curve, yet will pretty much do everything that photo shop will do for a lot less money.

it has some awesome features such as a blemish remover,tooth whitener, and suntan brush, these are just a few things that make photo editing fun and easy

 

[YEKCIM]

FWIW, I d/l and installed the 30 day trial of PSP vX yesterday, and been messing around with it a little last night and this morning. So far, it seems to be both fairly comprehensive and intuitive. I'm probably going to buy the full version, as I have an online source that sells OEM version (CD only) for $27 shipped. Heretofore, I've used Picasa for pretty much all my PP, and been fairly satisfied with it. For printing 4X6's, generally all I've done is to hit "Auto Contrast", and crop, using the 4X6 (or other size) template.

~YEKCIM

 

[eagles]

i used the 30 day trial for ps 3.0..bought the 4.0 cd. i figured the cd would be better incase you have to reinstall. which i now have to do (once i get a new puter), the only bad thing about that (for me) is now i have to remember, or find where i put the cd! lol

i also have psp 7 and i find that to be not to be as easy as elements. some of the features i have managed to find however, where better to use and of course there are somethings that psp has that elements does not have.

now i am a very determined king of gal, if there is a will there is a way. so just about eveything i have seen done in psp cs2 and such, i have found a way of doing in elements.

the best way i can describe it is: psp is like using a calculator, and elements is like working it out long hand.

good luck in what ever you chose.

 

[MICKEY88]

FWIW, I d/l and installed the 30 day trial of PSP vX yesterday, and been messing around with it a little last night and this morning. So far, it seems to be both fairly comprehensive and intuitive. I'm probably going to buy the full version, as I have an online source that sells OEM version (CD only) for $27 shipped. Heretofore, I've used Picasa for pretty much all my PP, and been fairly satisfied with it. For printing 4X6's, generally all I've done is to hit "Auto Contrast", and crop, using the 4X6 (or other size) template.

~YEKCIM

PSPX or PSP photo XI ???

 

[YEKCIM]

PSPX or PSP photo XI ???

Version X; I d/l the trial version several months ago, and never got around to installing it until now. The OEM version I can obtain online for $27 is version "X", not "XI". Is XI worth 3X the cost of X?

~YEKCIM

 

[donaldduck1967]

I use PSP XI and like it. I bought PSP X and shortyl after that XI came out so I upgraded and never really got to use PSP X so I can't compare the 2.