Re: Photo editing Software

Photography

Photo editing Software


Deimos 12/03/2008, 13:39
What do people use to “sort-out” their pictures.  I’ve looked at Photoshop (at least I saw the price and started looking away quickly).  Then there is Adobe Lightbox – but it seems to save your edits in its own database so once you start using it you are tied to Adobe for ever more (or lose all of your processing !!!).  Corel Paint Shop Pro X2 looks reasonable price wise but anybody any experience.  Then there is GIMP which is free but not desperately convenient (in that many of the adjustment dialogs are modal so you call them up, adjust one aspect of the pic then dismiss them and go on or back, etc.  Also GIMP is slightly “unstructured” as can be the case with Freeware software from many contributors – but it is excellent value for money.

And there are probably loads I have no even considered.

I am new to this and am more interested in the results than the package so if anybody has any experiences any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank

Ian


Copyright Deimos. All rights reserved

Re: Photo editing Software


cooperlola 12/03/2008, 13:42
Photoshop is great but "Elements" - which is a shortented version - is more than enough, imo, for most amateurs.  I got it free with my scanner!  Prices are quite reasonable for this version Ian.
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Re: Photo editing Software


Clair 12/03/2008, 13:46
I use Picasa 2 for basic adjustments and filing and Photoshop Elements for anything more involved.
Photoshop Elements came free with a digital camera.

You might find some useful info here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=/connected/essentials/dcarchive/nosplit/dcarchive.xml


Clair, a Real Virtual French Person

Re: Photo editing Software


Russethouse 12/03/2008, 13:46

I have just started using Irfanview after it was recommended here - it looks as if it has lots of things for me to explore.....

http://www.irfanview-stop.com/index.asp?s=go-uk&a=irfanview&kw=irfanview

Its a free download.


www.quimperclub.org

99

Re: Photo editing Software


cooperlola 12/03/2008, 13:53
Ian, I have a copy of Nikon Picture Project which I have never even loaded into the PC as I already had Elements.  You are welcome to it, if it's of any interest?
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Re: Photo editing Software


Deimos 12/03/2008, 16:05
 cooperlola wrote:
Ian, I have a copy of Nikon Picture Project which I have never even loaded into the PC as I already had Elements.  You are welcome to it, if it's of any interest?


Many thanks.  I actually got something with the camera (purchased the other week) but it is limited and had a really tacky user interface.  Also, I did not get a Nikon so the Nikon package probably wont support the Olympus RAW format - but many thnaks for the offer.

A lot of the concepts are new to me so I was thinking of trying to select “the right” package to start with and stick with it through learning what is involved.  I had a look at GIMP (the free one) and it seems a bit “unstructured”.  Adobe always worries me because they seem to tie you into sticking with their software (as in the Lightroom method of saving all your work in Adobe’s Lightroom’s own proprietary database rather than actually modifying your picture – so you always have to use their Lightroom to view/print/whatever the pic or you have lost the work !!  I’d prefer something that actually changes the pic so you could e-mail it to somebody else to view if you want.

Not being an expert I don’t think I need the full Photoshop level thing but don’t want anything too basic either.  I was looking at Corel Paintshop Pro (?) which looks a reasonable price.

Ian



Copyright Deimos. All rights reserved

Re: Photo editing Software


cooperlola 12/03/2008, 16:14
Hmm.  I don't think you'd find Elements at all basic - I don't know that there's much it won't do that the average person would want.  Don't know a lot about Corel - I have it in a bundle somewhere on the PC but have always used Elements.  I must explore it a little better some time!
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Re: Photo editing Software


fivecats 12/03/2008, 16:21
There is other free photo editing software you should have a look at

  • paint.net - this is a sophisticated piece of work from computer science students at Washington State University. It's not quite as powerful as The Gimp but a lot easier to use and install. Website: http://www.getpaint.net/
  • photoplus - this software installs easily and it's loaded with features including layer support. In fact, it looks and feels like a "lite" and slightly clunky version of Adobe PhotoShop. Version 6 is free, however the latest version is available for only $10. Website: http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/PhotoPlus/default.asp
  • Photofiltre - this is french software. It comes with a good range of tools, however it cannot handle layers. Website: http://photofiltre.free.fr/

Hope this info helps

Re: Photo editing Software


Dick Smith 12/03/2008, 17:26
Which? rates Photoshop Elements as the best.
I use Elements and Aperture, but I prefer full fat Photoshop.

Regards

Dick Smith

Nowhere is there warmth to be found
Among those afraid of losing their ground
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