Whats the easiest photo editing program?

[SamRoc]

I want to get a program for the computer to edit some pictures, but I don't want something too difficult. Whats the easiest one out there for beginners? Thanks!

 

[safetymom]

Do you have a digital camera? Usually when you buy one on the CD is an easy to use photo editing software program.

Picassa is free and it allows you to edit your photos.

 

[SamRoc]

My digital camera is pretty old, i probably dont have the CD that came with it. But i will try Picassa. I have heard photoshop is good, but it looks too difficult for me. Thanks!

 

[safetymom]

Photoshop is great but it isn't easy!

 

[Feralpeg]

While I prefer photoshop, I also have Microsoft Picture It. It was very easy to use. I've had it for a long time though. I'm not sure they are even selling it still.

 

[luvdzne]

I use adobe photoshop you can do a lot with it and it is pretty user friendly. Also if you have comcast you can download photo show Deluxe for free. It is pretty good too. What kind of editing do you want to do?

 

[MinnieMe87]

I find Kodak Easyshare software to be the easiest for me to use.

 

[teacherforhi]

Another vote for Picasa. It's free and easy to use. My middle school yearbook staff uses it for all of our pictures.

 

[Papa Deuce]

set up an account....

www.photobucket.com

Super easy PLUS the added benefit of being able to link pictures easily to the DIS.

 

[RussN]

Another vote for Picasa version 3! If you want to step it up a step there is always www.paint.net and really advanced you can go can go for www.gimp.org (alternative for Photoshop). Best of all, it is all free!

 

[manning]

While I prefer photoshop, I also have Microsoft Picture It. It was very easy to use. I've had it for a long time though. I'm not sure they are even selling it still.

It is no more.

 

[SamRoc]

Thanks everyone for all the great advice. I just want to touch up a few pictures that I took. Remove some blemishes and to do some photo editing tricks. I have seen some really great pictures after they are edited, and I think it would be fun to try. But the whole thing with layering, masks and filters looks a little intimidating!

 

[LoraJ]

I love Photoshop Elements, a cheaper and more user friendly version of photoshop.

you can download a free trail from adobe.com

 

[Carl]

I love Photoshop Elements, a cheaper and more user friendly version of photoshop.

you can download a free trail from adobe.com

That's the one I recommend. I had Photoshop and it was difficult to use because of the "levels." You would try to erase something and it wouldn't because it was on a different level.

 

[C.Ann]

I have Microsoft Digital Image 2006 and absolutely LOVE it!! There are sooo many things I can do with it and it's very, very easy..

 

[Plantlady]

Another vote for Picasa version 3! If you want to step it up a step there is always www.paint.net and really advanced you can go can go for www.gimp.org (alternative for Photoshop). Best of all, it is all free!

I use paint.NET. Which, confusingly enough is at http://www.getpaint.net.

I dream of photoshop.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I bought Photoshop Elements and I find it almost useless. It is so non-intuitive, and I just can't get anywhere. I got to buy a guide book or something - the online help gets me nowhere either. These layer things just mess me up. I can't even figure out how to add a frame a photo. I can't even resize a photo. Yep, I am that bad.

Oh well. Maybe there is a better program out there.

 

[SamRoc]

Yep, I am that bad.

Oh well. Maybe there is a better program out there.

You sound just like me! I am intimidated by the filters and layers in these programs. I think i'd like to take a class for graphic design. It looks like so much fun, but i probably need someone to show me how to do it.

 

[DBL101]

Here's a vote for Paint Shop Pro. It costs about the same as photoshop Elements ( $75-$100 depending on specials/coupons/etc.). These both have pretty much the same features, they just apply the features slightly differently. I've been using PSP for years for both graphics and photos. The last couple of versions have added more photo editing tools and automatic functions. Both of these products have a ton of features, but you can start slow and only use a few things until you get more comfortable. I run every one of my photos through this program. I may only crop the picture better, or modify the lighting or sharpness. Sometimes "Red Eye" correction, but they also have tools for blemishes, etc.
The biggest hint to remember when working with photos is to never save over the original. Everytime you save a .jpg file you lose detail. You always want to keep that original and go back to it if you ever want to change a photo you've already worked on. I will ususally copy the photos to my computer and then immediatly change them all to "read only" so I don't accidentally write over the top of the originals.

 

[Imzadi]

Are you interested in buying or just looking for one for free?

I got an ArcSoft PhotoSuite 5.5 CD free with my Canon all-in-one photo printer. The clone tool & smudging tool are invaluable for correcting blemishes and filling in spots, or erasing sections, so areas look flawless. I've gotten rid of flyaway hairs & the background looks seamless. I have lightened dark frown lines, due to bad, downcast lighting in pics, that aren't as bad in real life. I have smudged out a few wrinkles.

I haven't used another program as I don't want to go through a learning curve again, trying to figure out buttons & features. I have heard some programs like Photoshop are harder to learn at first, but there is more you can do with them in the end. And more Photoshop forum support.

There is a free, 15 day trial download for it at CNET.com. http://www.download.com/ArcSoft-PhotoStudio/3000-2192_4-10376167.html

You can also Google to read the reviews. I think there's some at Amazon, too. Then if you want it, it's $79 to buy the expanded version. Don't know if that's any different from the free CD I got.

Maybe a friend has a newer camera or photo-quality printer and has a CD of a photo editing tool they an loan you to install a program. Beats $79.