Thanks in advance to everyone. I have been offered a photo editing program of my choosing. Being free, my first thought is to go for the best (most expensive) on the market. My problem is I have never used anything except Picasa for cropping and slight brightness adjustment. Also, I worry about a big learning curve and then giving up because it is overwhelming. What program do you recommend that is fairly easily learned?
utube tutorials and adobetv
It depends on how generous your mentor can afford to be. I have recently acquired one of the PhotoShop Creative Suite programs and even though I haven't been able to spend a lot of time with it, it was fun and not too hard to learn. PhotoShop is an amazingly complex program but Am looking forward to exploring its options. On the downside, Photoshop Creative Suite 6 retails for about $2600.
Unless you are going for PRO jobs, get Photo Shop Elements or PaintShopPro.
PaintShopPro will do most everything that 90% of the people need and is usually $60-90 for the Ultimate version. Current version is "x5" with "x6" being released very soon.
I agree with Wahawk. There are many alternatives for photo editing without breaking the bank. Explore your options and, if possible, play with the top contenders.
If you have a very generous benefactor then I would ask for Light Room 5 and Adobe PhotoShop CS6 (still available through Amazon) If the generosity is at a more mortal level then I would ask for the latest version of Elements.
remember, just because you may not need all the horsepower now, that could change down the road. You can always grow into it.
If you can't do it with Paint Shop Pro it probably wouldn't look good any how.
There is a reason why all other programs are compared to and played off against Photoshop Creative Suite series..
I use LR for several reasons: one is that it's a really great processing program, you only need PS to composite photos, do HDR or panos, or to erase a large segment of a photo. LR has wonderful data bank capabilities, allowing you great latitude in how you manage your files, as long as you do so from within LR. You can print very easily from LR, including creative printing pieces, such as multiple photos. You can export into any format and size you need. You can do slideshows (not the best at this), create a web site, and create a book (from Blurb) as needed. A good program that is used by both professional and non-professional photographers. Do purchase PS if you can, as the two really do go together. You can also easily use plug-ins in LR. Good luck.
No matter what program you decide upon, you will find taking one step most advantageous. Like using the cloning tool, before you start on layering. Use it till you know what and how it works, what it can and can't do. Masking off and area to protect it. Inverting layer so forth. Growing from using that tool, will lead into other areas that you can explore.
To try and jump into a PP with both feet running will only discourage you and make you more confused. Spend hours to days with each new step. Eventually you be going from a crawl to a good paced walk in the program.
Ok, an update for your mentor. Price aside, you may really want to look for a program that you are comfortable with. I don't remember where I saw the ridiculous price tag on CS6 but Amazon has it for $617 and some change. BUT, if you don't need all of that yumph, there are less expensive alternatives as previous posters have shared.
elwynn wrote:
If you can't do it with Paint Shop Pro it probably wouldn't look good any how.
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Wahawk wrote:
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Paint Shop Pro is great and at about a hundred bucks it is a great deal. Download a trial at corel.com and give it a try before you buy.
Wahawk wrote:
Unless you are going for PRO jobs, get Photo Shop Elements or PaintShopPro.
PaintShopPro will do most everything that 90% of the people need and is usually $60-90 for the Ultimate version. Current version is "x5" with "x6" being released very soon.
Paint Shop Pro X6 was released yesterday (09/04/13)
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