GordonB. Loc: St. Petersburg, Fl.

I am well aware that Photoshop is the top of the line in
photo manipulation. I'm also aware that the cost (for me)
is prohibitive as is the sharp learning curve.

When creating an HDR image, most excellent photographers use both Photomatrix and Photoshop. My
question is: although Paint Shop Pro X4 or X5 is not of
the same caliber as Photoshop, is it possible to get
remotely similiar results using PSP instead of Photoshop? Again, I know full well that PS is far superior than PSP.

Thank you for any information that anyone who is a fan
of HDR can give on this subject matter.

GordonB

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Honestly, have you tried GIMP, I know that is not what you asked, I have X3 and X4, I use Paintshop pro 7 yes 7 or Photoshop Elements

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

This is GOOD do not overlook it

http://www.hdrsoft.com/

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I have both Photoshop and Paintshop (long story) and it seems to me that Paint does pretty much, if not all of what Photo does at, as you have noted, much less cost.
Caveat - I use Niklon's Capture NX2 more than either of the other two.
Another caveat - I do little mote than light, color and size adjustment which Capture does as well or better than those others as far as I am concerned

dalematt Loc: Goderich, Ontario, Canada

I use Paintshop X4 (the price was in my range) and Photoshop CS2 (it was free from Adobe a couple of months ago). I find Paintshop just as good as Photoshop for my needs and easier to use and learn. My needs are pretty basic, as in not professional level. I also use Photomatix Essentials because it was cheaper than the full model. It, too, is good for what I want/need. Because I am retired and on a pension and because I will never likely be a professional, I look at things regarding price and if they will satisfy my needs in photography.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Considering the price Photoshop should take the photo for you, get PSP x5 and don't look back you won't need to, you can get a trial from the Corel site, try it you'll like it, Bob.

rhin0ski Loc: Boise, Idaho

I have both. I recommend PaintShop Pro X4. It's far more stable. I just updated both apps to their most current service pack. PSP x4 is now on service pack 3; Psp x5 is on service pack 2.

Psp x5 still has issues with its HDR engine. I've sent in images to their technical support, who verified the problems but still haven't come up with a fix.

Psp x4 is the one I use (until they can fix the issues with Psp x5).

jfantasma

Topic has been talked about before

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=paintshop+pro&u=&s=0

I have paint shop pro x5 ultimate edition. I am very pleased with it. My cousin uses Photoshop and I can do anything he can plus more. I think it is a great deal. I picked mine up for $25 from Corel during black Friday but that was my upgrade price I already had pspx4 that I picked up from Corel for $30 the black Friday before that one LOL. As far as HDR in PSP.... I am not pleased with it at all I use photomatix pro, oloneo HDR engine. Or I just stack images myself in psp so I can choose my own color range but that takes a bit of learning.

Good luck with whatever your choice is. If you need any help pm me I'll be glad to help

2x25mpg Loc: Long Island NY

I dont know how to edit. i went to software store and was told that paintshop 5 was beginner friendly and easy to learn. I purchased it and cant even load an image let alone edit one. its just way overly complicated for an old geezer to understand. i took it back but they wont give me a credit or a refund because i had opened the package.
i give up i will leave editong to you whizz kids

chuckwh

I,m just an amateur but have used Paint shop pro 4 and now have 5. It does a decent job and the learning curve isn't bad. Also Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 does many of the same things and is every reasonable.

Chuck

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Yes, you can get similar results with less expensive software. If I were you I wouldn't try or watch anyone else use CS6 though. If you do then you probably won't want any of the other software because of how good Adobe software is.

Have you considered Adobe PSE 11? It's less than $100 and is basically a lite version of CS6. Or, if you do mostly photo editing you might think of LR4 for your image editing. You can't layer with LR but it's relatively inexpensive at less than $150. (often times you can get it for about $100)

If you stick with Adobe products, most of the keyboard shortcuts you learn will transfer over to CS if you decide to upgrade later.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Have heart. I am a very old geezer. One has to take it one step at a time, and each step can be intimidating at first. Have used Google, tutorials, blogs, chats, etc. etc.
I have Lightroom and have spent an enormous amount of time (my choice, not everyone's, I know) learning it. I look at it as a gigantic puzzle, taking one piece at a time. Puzzles can be fun things for some. I am now comfortable with it but every time I use it there is a new hurdle/challenge. Almost a love hate relationship at times. Many things about it I am sure I will never know.
Not for everyone, but, just sharing my story for what is is worth.

Ronbo Loc: Okanagan falls BC. Canada

I have used psp-x5 ultimate since december and am very happy with it so far. I learned editing with it. It seems pretty easy to use. I'm having a problem understanding layers though. Cheers...

paul mcpherson

Get paintshop X5 trial verson free for 30 days from Coral site and make your own mind up! I prefer it to photoshop and it is far less error prone

pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ

I have used PSP for years, from JASC through Corel PSP X5 Ultimate which I now use. X5 does have an HDR module but, in my opinion, the HDR module needs some work. It does a fair job but Photomatix is much much better. I start an HDR session with Photomatix and do the finishing touches in PSP X5. As far as post processing photos is concerned, PSP X5 produces some outstanding results. I try different programs a lot and I haven't seen anything I like better or is any easier to use than PSP. Don't get me wrong. PSP X5 Ultimate has a big learning curve too. Lots of bells and whistles. One must realize that any software that does so many things is going to have a learning curve. No one has mentioned yet that PSP X5 Ultimate comes with NIK EFEX Pro 3 plugins. They are wonderful. X5 also is capable of using many of the Adobe Photoshop plugins. Many are free to download. For the money, I think PSP X5 Ultimate is a bargain and, once you learn how to use it, you would be pleasantly surprised at what it will do for you and pleasantly satisfied with the results. Yes, it is possible to get remotely similar results of Photoshop using PSP. As suggested in another post, get the 30 day free trial and give it a whirl. I, personally, would highly recommend PSP X5 Ultimate.