Suggestions on simple photo retouching software
Dec 14, 2016 09:37:39 #
I just bought this for the holiday price of $39 as powerful as PS but much simpler IMO and the site has tons of tutorial videos from the basics for beginners all the way to pro.
https://www.dpreview.com/news/7495946883/affinity-photo-for-windows-now-available-mac-version-updated-to-1-5
https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/
https://www.dpreview.com/news/7495946883/affinity-photo-for-windows-now-available-mac-version-updated-to-1-5
https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/
Dec 14, 2016 10:05:49 #
Dec 14, 2016 10:43:08 #
speters wrote:
I always enjoyed using Photoshop (also for its "simplicity" yes there is such a thing), I rather found Elements rather somewhat clumpsy and complicated when compared!
Elements is much simpler since they overhauled the user interface with Elements 12. This user can start with just the Organizer and the simple edits it enables. Then later move on to the Editor in guided mode.
You can find Elements on sale from time to time for $49. The latest release is 15.
Dec 14, 2016 10:58:10 #
Peanut_the_cat wrote:
My girlfriend takes some amazing photographs with ... (show quote)
Maybe buy her a class on basic how to use PhotoShop?
There's bound to be shortcuts and simple ways to use PhotoShop.
Dec 14, 2016 11:24:48 #
markngolf wrote:
The problem is that each program has its own learning curve. She'd be unfair to a program if she made a decision based on the first few minutes of use, but trying to evaluate so many in such a short period of time would be roughly comparable to that.Here's a suggestion:
Since you desire buying her an X-Mas gift, why not have her or you download PSE 15, Faststone, Gimp , Adobe CC (LR & PS) and ON1. Each is either free or comes with a free 30 day trial. That's quite a bit of time to experiment & test drive. After she decides which she prefers, purchase it for her. The others will auto expire after 30 days. The free ones can be uninstalled or continue to be used. She should make the decision, not you.
Mark
Since you desire buying her an X-Mas gift, why not have her or you download PSE 15, Faststone, Gimp , Adobe CC (LR & PS) and ON1. Each is either free or comes with a free 30 day trial. That's quite a bit of time to experiment & test drive. After she decides which she prefers, purchase it for her. The others will auto expire after 30 days. The free ones can be uninstalled or continue to be used. She should make the decision, not you.
Mark
While I was still using film, but trying out the concept of digital, I had a simple program called Picture-It {not Microsoft at the time, but I believe MS later bought it}. It was a very simple program and I fixed a number of scanned photos using it. My first slide scanner came with a "Limited Edition" of Photoshop; at first, I couldn't image why I would use it instead of Picture-It, because doing simple tasks was so complicated, but as I learned to use it, I came to realize that it gave me more creative ways to address an issue, instead of the one-cookie-cutter-task per problem that Picture-It gave me.
This is a long way of saying that different persons need different tools. I use gimp, but someone like her might be much happier with a simpler tool like Picture-It.
Dec 14, 2016 11:30:03 #
Gene51 wrote:
Photoshop and Lightroom are the obvious choices - ... (show quote)
OP wants "simple photo retouching software". I don't know many who would suggest that Photoshop and Lightroom meet that request.
Dec 14, 2016 11:32:05 #
Dec 14, 2016 11:39:30 #
Peanut_the_cat wrote:
I thought about Photoshop Elements? That might eventually allow her to gravitate to the full blown Photoshop in a couple of years time if she felt inclined. I know there is free stuff out there but I want something semi serious. What say you hoggers?
Yes, Photoshop Elements would be my choice. I know someone that uses that and actually does expert composites with it. He has fooled many people with this program.
Dec 14, 2016 11:49:48 #
If you want really simple you can try Google Photos. I just downloaded it to try. It is free and provides free online backup.
It takes a few minutes to figure out but does simple stuff like crop and color adjustment. Here is an example.
It takes a few minutes to figure out but does simple stuff like crop and color adjustment. Here is an example.
Edited
Origina
Dec 14, 2016 11:58:19 #
Try Aviary. She can get it as an app on her phone or her computer. It's free, simple, and will probably do everything she would want.
Dec 14, 2016 12:00:20 #
Jim Bob wrote:
OP wants "simple photo retouching software". I don't know many who would suggest that Photoshop and Lightroom meet that request.
Not Photoshop but Lightroom can be used simply.
But he also wanted something with serious growth porential.
Dec 14, 2016 12:00:40 #
Peanut_the_cat wrote:
My girlfriend takes some amazing photographs with ... (show quote)
I use Fast Stone quite a bit... it's simple to use does the basics and is a free download. Also think about Gimp - another free download. It's a little more complicated but does nice work too.
Dec 14, 2016 12:02:07 #
Peanut_the_cat wrote:
My girlfriend takes some amazing photographs with ... (show quote)
I think the key words here are "She does enjoy some retouching but wants to spend 5 minutes on an image and not an hour or two that I might." Has anyone mentioned Picassa? If you can get a copy (it has been discontinued by Google) it's free and it's very easy to use for a basic tune up of a pic. Since her pictures are from a phone, RAW processing is probably not a consideration. Worth a try.
Although free, GIMP is powerful but more difficult than PS to master.
Dec 14, 2016 12:06:44 #
jimmya wrote:
I use Fast Stone quite a bit... it's simple to use does the basics and is a free download. Also think about Gimp - another free download. It's a little more complicated but does nice work too.
I found Gimp very complicated even with an expensive book.
I also found Elements challenging prior to release 12.
They assume you know what words like dodge and burn mean. I didn't when I was starting.
Lightroom seemed much easier to me. But I had sort of mastered Elements by then. I can now use Photoshop as well but it took several years. I am nowhere near mastery on it. I believe Gimp is more difficult than Photoshop.
Dec 14, 2016 12:11:42 #
speters wrote:
I always enjoyed using Photoshop (also for its "simplicity" yes there is such a thing), I rather found Elements rather somewhat clumpsy and complicated when compared!
Photoshop??? For it's Simplicity?????
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