Photo Editing Software

[Amy]

I just got a digital camera this year. I've been using the software that came with the camera for making 4x6 prints at home, but now that I know what I'm doing with the camera, I'd like to expand my creativity.

What kind of photo software do you use, and what are the pros and cons? I've heard of Adobe Photostop, but I'm sure there are others. Is it easy to use? Easy to switch from 4x6 to 5x7 and other sizes? Will it work with all kinds of digital media? And just how creative can you get with it - for instance, if it's a landscape shot with people in the foreground, can you lighten the shadows on the faces without lightening the landscape in the background? Stuff like that.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I use both Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 (usually discounted at Best Buy, Compusa and the like) as well as Microsoft Digital Image Pro 9 (also discountred a lot) and often a better deal when packed with Microsoft® Digital Image Suite 9. I do prefer Adobe's Photoshop Album 2.0 though for cataloging over the cataloging segmant that is in the MS Suite. And I do prefer the MS Image Pro for photo editing.

 

[Tina]

Photo Shop can be rather expensive. A nice alternative is JASC's Paint Shop Pro (and they have other stuff, too). It runs about $70 - $100, depending on where you buy it. It works basically the same as Adobe, with a few difference. I use both, but I actually find Paint Shop Pro to be simpler to get around in for basic stuff. You can download a trial version of there stuff here:
http://www.jasc.com/products/?

 

[oogieboogie]

I use PhotoPlus 5.5 from Serif Software at home. It has the same layout and feel as JASC's PaintShop Pro and Adobe Photoshop.

The best part about photoplus is that it's completely free. I got it from freeserifsoftware.com. I've used it now for about 8 months and completely happy with it.

At work I use PaintShop and Photoshop and I have no problems migrating back and forth.

This picture I made from a combo of PhotoPlus and DrawPlus (both free from the same company):

Oh, and the pic in my siggie was also edited with PhotoPlus.

 

[Olaf]

Elements is the best, and if you decide to upgrade to Photoshop in the future, it will give you a leg up on the learning curve. It comes free in a lot of new hardware. I got one with my new scanner.

You can download a trial version at Adobe.com. Look for Photoshop Elements 2.0.

http://www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe/main.jsp#product=40

I've seen Elements bundled with Adobe Photo Album at Sam's Club for a very reasonable price.

 

[DJBounce]

I got Photoshop Elements 2.0 from Sam's Club with a rebate so in the end I spent less than $40 for it. I have yet to tap into it's full potential.

 

[olena]

Adobe Photoshop

I'm still learning with it.