lhunt

I would like your recommendations for a fairly easy/intuitive photo organizing and editing software. I have been tasked with setting up a photo transfer and editing station that will be used by the general public. The station will include photo/slide/film scanner, VHS to DVD converter, and a high end PC with photo editing & video editing software. We have decided not to go with Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop as we are thinking that would be too advanced for this application. Two I have been looking at are ACDsee (for organization) and Corel PaintShop. Thoughts? Thank you.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

ACDsee and Corel are both fairly good programs, but you really haven't given much information regarding usage. Are you installing this as a work station in an office, for a store, for a family group? What are the skill levels of the people using the work station? Knowing this will help members here give a more helpful response.

lhunt

This would be installed in a library. We are not expecting high skill level, and will not have dedicated staff for training. We will be providing a photo/slide scanner and VHS to DVD converter. It is as much for converting to digital media as for photo editing which is where organizing photos would come in, but also removing dirt, stains and scratches, and cropping might be important. Does that help?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Yikes! That is a setup with lots of potential for problems.
I would suggest sitting it up to just scan/copy and save to their own media (thumb drive, etc) to take home and leave editing to the customer on their own computer.
For one thing anyone doing editing or scanning a lot of things is going to tie up the machine for a looooooooong time.
The good scanning apps do the scratch removal on auto fairly well.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Photo organisers would only work for the general public if they have the same programme at home. They are a file catalogue basically. Cropping and resizing is a pretty standard task on any photo application, However to remove dirt stains and scratches would require a pixel replicator (to copy a clean patch and paste it over the damaged area) - only available on the larger programmes PSE Corel etc. Your Library service or Public Records Office will tell you how difficult this is to get right.
You could trawl through the free programmes, but where photo retouching is concerned 'Joe Public' is going to require help for the uniniated and all the 'bells and whistles' for the younger people whose expectations will be full Photoshop or similar.

The plan to have the equipment 'unattended' is flawed from the start. (enquire how often help is needed when the photocopier is required.....and that is almost idiot proof)

It could be that a 'photo booth' type system is available - check out camera shops for examples...They often provide some sort of take home print solution. But a desk top PC,scanner and printer is probably too much 'hands on' to be 'simple'.

Photography has come to 'the masses' ....along with a whole raft of different systems and programming skill requirements (or not). Like books in different languages...its only easy in the one you speak.

Good luck

cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada

Choose Luminar end of discussion imho

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

General public? That's a tough one. Exposure, color saturation, and sharpness are about all the public could do without someone right there telling them what to do. This sounds like you need a programmer to write a basic processing program.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Scanning slides and converting video should be the extent of this project. Let the public do the conversions and process on their own.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

I agree. You will get enough questions from people just using the scanners and converters, re the copy machine comparison earlier. Ask Walmart how much time is spent by the photo clerk explaining their print ordering computers, which are fairly straight-forward.

Ed Walker Loc: Eclectic, Alabama U.S.A.

You might try something like Canon's ZoomBrowser EX. It does basic editing and is fairly straightforward.

jmvaugh Loc: Albuquerque

I use Paint Shop Pro, which is probably a bit easier to use than PhotoShop, but I've used old versions for years for web graphics and it's anything but intuitive and easy for someone unfamiliar with PP.

elferna

ACDSee Ultimate 2018 is excellent for both organizing and editing. I've used this software for 15 plus years for organizing and now find it convenient frequently to do quick edits. They've added layers like Photoshop and have "smart" brushes and a "smart" healing tool as well (equivalent to content aware tools in Photoshop). It also has very nice features to catalog photos and tag pictures with people's names convenient when you want to see all photos in the library of Aunt Bee. I have a 1 TB library so this feature for me is a huge plus.
It is a solid database with editing capabilities. I particularly like being able to enter information in the Metadata tab to identify travel photos.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Have the station equipped with a scanner and have the public do their own work. To do what you are describing will allow one individual to work. It will lock up the station for too long.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Corel Paint Shop is a fine program but... you had better contact the main company about legalities! Some are legal for the computer, some for the person, some "lessor" programs don't care. What about copying copyrighted material? (That is another story.)

After deciding on whatever program be sure you don't have it on something like a mainframe that all the other computers tap off of. The general public will fine a way to screw it up. That could possibly shut down the entire building. Have a dedicated computer that is completely off the grid so-to-speak. Just go to a Walmart or similar store that has a photo department and ask how often their Kiosh (?sp?) machines get fixed... and those are super-simple without a lot photo modifications to be had.

For things like schools, the companies just might offer a discount. Contact them. I know that last year Capture One Pro offered a 50% discount to schools when I ask them. Other's might do similar.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I use Photoshop Elements, has a decent organizer and all the editing power that I need. Has three modes in the Editor from Wizard to Guided to Expert.