photo editing: I want to find the best photo editing software for someone who's never used photo editing software.

jabe750

I want to find the best photo editing software for someone who's never used photo editing software.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

jabe750 wrote:

I want to find the best photo editing software for someone who's never used photo editing software.

Shoot JPEG from the camera and use directly, easily the best and easiest.

timcc Loc: Virginia

Both Windows and Apple have simple photo editing programs built in. Try one of them to get the hang of it, then use Search in UHH and you will find lots of responses to similar questions. Many programs are free, and the ones that cost usually offer free trial periods. If you shoot RAW, you will have more flexibility in editing. Good luck!

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

jabe750 wrote:

I want to find the best photo editing software for someone who's never used photo editing software.

If your computer OS came with editing software, that would be a good place to begin.

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

jabe750 wrote:

I want to find the best photo editing software for someone who's never used photo editing software.

I agree with shooting jpeg, but for cropping, straightening, minor adjustments, you can't beat the price of Windows Photo if you're using Win10... it's free (and easy). When I want to remove things and the like, I use AMS Photoworks. It has a how-to video embedded in each function and if you watch for sales and coupons you can get it for under $30. My favorite feature is "save". No exporting, etc... just save your edited copy and it's placed back in your folder right next to the untouched original with 'edited' added to the new file name to keep them separated. If you're talking raw, that's a whole other thing.

jabe750

I have used the software that's offered with my windows editing but want something more. Windows only gives limited editing, such as light/dark, basic filters, color saturation, cropping. I'm looking for more. Is lightroom and photoshop hard to maneuver?

F8 Forever Loc: Lng Island, NY

They are ALL hard to maneuver. No matter which one you choose, prepare yourself for big time learning curve.

Howsumever, FastStone, Irfanview, and Xnview are pretty damn good for the price (free) but they are limited.

GIMP is also free, and does a lot more-- some say it's up there with Photoshop.

Play with these and other recommended freeware before spending money on your quest.

jabe750

Thanks. Good advice. Will do.

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

jabe750 wrote:

Thanks. Good advice. Will do.

This video is where I learned of the Photoworks software I previously mentioned and it would appear he still has a link to a discount in his comments that still works? There other new features that he doesn't cover here (it also looks like they offer a free trial?):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koG60ETiHs8&t=269s

timcc Loc: Virginia

PhotoScape X is another free* program you might want to try. Lots of features and easy to learn, with plenty of video tutorials.

http://www.x.photoscape.org/

* - Its "trial" period has no end, so it is effectively free. There is also a paid Pro version, but the free version will probably meet all your needs.

CO

If you shoot with Nikon, download Capture NX-D and View NX-i from Nikon's website. They're both free.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

"The best"!? Broad term. Listen to CO. I have used Capture NX for years (among others) and find it to be a very good editor. And being free "don't hurt."

anotherview Loc: California

Agree:

timcc wrote:

Both Windows and Apple have simple photo editing programs built in. Try one of them to get the hang of it, then use Search in UHH and you will find lots of responses to similar questions. Many programs are free, and the ones that cost usually offer free trial periods. If you shoot RAW, you will have more flexibility in editing. Good luck!

bleirer

I'm still going to recommend Photoshop Elements, since 'best' and 'beginner' are in play. For every image you can choose a basic, a guided, or an advanced tab. And it's on sale. https://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-Elements-2020-Disc/dp/B07X4S9DJJ

anotherview Loc: California

Agree:

bleirer wrote:

I'm still going to recommend Photoshop Elements, since 'best' and 'beginner' are in play. For every image you can choose a basic, a guided, or an advanced tab. And it's on sale. https://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-Elements-2020-Disc/dp/B07X4S9DJJ