Amateur1

I enjoy photography, but I am by no means a pro. A few years ago I bought Corel Paintshop to try to do some editing and haven't had much luck with it. Do I need instructions in it or is there a different software that you would recommend to someone who is beginning to edit?
Thanks for your input.

RicknJude Loc: Quebec, Canada

If you have had Paintshop for a few years and haven't learned it maybe start with something easier. Picasa3 is free and fairly easy to use. Lots of people use it and love it. Give it a try.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Amateur, Welcome to the Hog.

I am a Photoshop Elements fan and don't know Corel Paintshop at all. Having said that, may I suggest the approach I took to PSE when I first got it?

For many things you want to do/try to do with a photo, you will have to have one open in the program. So start with opening a photo. Then explore the menu: Click on each menu item and see what shows up in the drop-down list. See anything that catches your fancy? Go to YouTube and do a search. For example, I just typed in "Color correction in Corel Paintshop" and YouTube returned about 4000 hits.
I noticed many of them are referring to "Paintshop Pro" - I don't know if there is a difference between Paintshop and Paintshop Pro.
Now, don't jump all over the place, pick on one item, and because you can pause the video on YouTube, watch a bit of the video, pause it and repeat the same step(s) on your own computer. You probably won't remember the whole thing, but that shouldn't be a problem: You'll at least have an idea of what you watched, and can always go back. Or if you're really ambitious, make a list of the URLs with a short description for each one.

If you Google for "Corel Paintshop user guide" you'll be presented with a list of links to pdf files, even for older versions of Paintshop Pro. Just download. The nice part of a digital user's guide is that you search for words or phrases (Press Ctrl+F, type in the search term, press Enter, then click on next).

Amateur1

Thanks for your insights.

janspetitpantry Loc: Washington

Hi, I am in the same boat. I bought Paintshop Prox6 last year when I purchased my new Nikon camera. I printed out the user book and put it in a 3-ring binder and look at it every few months. Today I wanted to combine 4 pic's into one for a listing in my Etsy shop (you can have 5 pictures, so I needed to combine a few to keep to the 5 allowed). I could not find it in the book, went to the web and found a few sites, but each site gave about 50 steps for making the collage of pictures. WOW, toooo much time for me,,,, I would be 90 by the time I got it figured out. Easy way was to use Word and print the 4 pictures of the miniature dollhouse cakes on one sheet of matt paper, then take a picture with my Nikon, load that in pictures as a jpg.
I also want to put a watermark on each picture I use in my listings but have not had time or the patience to read about it. Guess I need to hire somebody to be "on call" for software help! Jan

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Try this: Make a new, blank document, the size you need the final image to be and have the other four images open as well.
Drag and drop (or copy and paste) the first of the four pictures to this document. You should now be able to resize it and move it to where you want it.
Do the same thing with the other three.
If this operation puts each photo on a separate layer, you have to merge the layers when you have the photos the size and location you want them.
Save as a jpg file. Done.

PS.
For PSP 6, see page 171 of the manual: Adding graphics or text.
Also: combine photos to create a photo collage (same page).

pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ

Welcome to the UHH. You have come to the right place to ask for help with Paintshop Pro (PSP). PSP is my main go to program for most of my post-processing. I have been using PSP for over 10 years and have used versions X1 through X7. You didn't mention which version you have and that information would be helpful to help you.

Morning Star has given you some good info. PSP is a very powerful program and, of course, there is a learning curve. I am going to make some suggestions.

First, when you open a photo for editing, make sure you choose "save as", give the photo a different name, and save. This is to prevent you from saving your work over your original photo which will destroy the original. Then you can begin playing with the various menu selections to see what they do. I would recommend beginning with brightness, contrast, and saturation adjustments. Click on each of the adjustment and effect menu tabs and become familiar with the different selections available. Most of us that use PSP began at same point you are right now and learned by doing and doing with much practice.

Second, there is a good book by Diane Koers available on Amazon by the title "Picture Yourself Learning PaintShop Pro". It is available for all versions X2 through X7. You only need the one paralleling the version you have. It is easy to understand and very helpful. Click on the link.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_17?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=picture+yourself+learning+corel+paintshop+pro+x7&sprefix=Picture+yourself+%2Caps%2C234

Third, you could try Picasa for a bit or, another free easy program, Faststone Image Viewer. Faststone Image Viewer is not only a viewer but has some simple adjustments available as well as a way to pass a selected photo to PSP for further post-processing. I use Faststone Image Viewer all the time.

Fourth, Photoshop Elements 13 is very similar to PSP. Since you already have PSP. I would stick with it. You would have to purchas Photoshop Elements so, if I were you, I would save my money. You already have a very good program in PSP and the learning curve is similar.

Lastly, there are many users of PSP here on the Hog and you can get help with most anything you want to know. Hope this helps a little and have a GREAT DAY!

pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ

Hi Jan,
Could you do me a favor and start a new thread with this same information so I can help you with your problem without cluttering up this thread? Title your thread with something like Help with PSP collage. I think I can help you with your problem and make it easier for you.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

PSP s a superb program. Invest in a book or video that teaches it from the beginning. Spend on uninterrupted hour a day for one month and you will be a post processing expert. One hour per day is enough info to absorb until the following day. The system works just try it.

mickeybob Loc: Harrisville, NH

Personally, I think adobe lightroom is world class, very friendly and made for photography. there are many online courses that offer help and guidance. it is not very expensive and does not take up lots of room on your computer. it is user friendly. I am sure these other programs and workable, but not the same. if you have lightroom, you are set up to take workshops in photography
all over the country.

Preachdude Loc: Geneva, OH

There is not a software program to does everything to perfection, though the marketers would want us to believe it. As an enthusiast, I use three programs, sometimes all three on one image. Noiseware Professional does an outstanding job of dealing with digital noise. Photoshop Elements provides the editing tools I need regularly -- the larger Photoshop has tools that I will never use, and neither does noise reduction as well as Noiseware. I can also do HDR merging of images with PS Elements, but I prefer the more versatile ability of Photomatix Pro. Finally, when I decide to create high-quality panoramas, I have used PS Elements in the past, but soon I will be downloading AutoPano Pro, which appears to be a more full-featured program for doing high-quality panoramas.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Hi Amateur,
I have been using Zoner Photo Studio for years now, it has a fairly easy learning curve. The latest version is ZPS17 and you can download a 30 free trial which is full functioning but after the trail period has expired you can still use it but with some limitations. It is a standalone application and uses the libraries on your PC. Here's the link:
http://www.zoner.com/
Why not try it,
John.

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

Welcome. I started with Picasa (free), went through a couple I had trouble with. But I now use Adobe Photoshop Elements 12. You can use it in 3 different modes of increasing complexity. You'll find it to have a fairly short learning curve, plus it offers layers and layer masks, powerful tools both. Then you might find yourself adding various plug-ins, like some that Topaz Labs offers. Google them and sign up for a "webinar" to find out more about them. Good luck. djt

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Photography software has evolved to be very capable. That means it is also complex. Adobe's size in the photo software market has made huge opportunities for learning. There are more books, classes, teachers and online courses for Adobe's products than any of the others.

Pick Photoshop, Photoshop Elements or Lightroom at random. Do it based on price if you want. All work well and are exciting to use.

Then, search for an organized "essentials" class, book or school. If it is well organized, it will start with the beginning basics and build your knowledge step by step.

With the right course and a few weeks of a couple hours a day, you will understand and enjoy photo editing.

viscountdriver Loc: East Kent UK

In my very humble opinion Paintshop is the best on the market but it takes learning.If you are interested there is a free course which will open the window on this wonderful programme. Go to BW-Forums.Com and then no one will have the need to grouse they didn't understand it.