Tina 2 Loc: New Hampshire

Hi. I am a non professional, casual photographer, who loves taking photographs. I just bought a new computer and need a program for editing my photos. I shoot with a Sony 10 iv. Since I don't shoot often, I feel there is no need for me to get a more advanced Photoshop program. Any advice on what I should get is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Tina

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Elements should work nicely for you.

Did an editor come with the camera?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

PhotoShopElements is a powerful bit of software. It's also pretty complex, even for the most basic functions, aka a learning curve.

Those of us that edit our digital images believe all image files benefit from a bit of editing using computer-based software. You might find free tools in your computer's OS do enough for your needs. You might find any free software from Sony is good enough. You might find several titles that cost about the same $100 as PSE that are easier to use and better matched to your needs.

Consider the trial period offer for any candidate software titles your post generates in the replies. Use one-at-a-time for the entire trial period, including the available training, possibly always against the same set of 20 to 100 images. Make an informed decision that hopefully gets it right the first time. Consider the online documentation and free video training (u-tube) in the context of your trial-period comparisons.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

When you register your camera on line @ SONY.com look around there for their editing program, usually free and quite capable. PS Elements is good especvially if you use other brand equipment but if you only shoot SONY their system will be quite adequate.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

Elements will be great for you, if you go that route. You might also like to look at ON1RAW and also the offerings of Topaz Labs software.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

There is a program that was offered by Google but they no longer support it. It is quite intuitive (rather easy). It is still used by many. It is called Picasa 3. Google doesn't offer it anymore, but there are places you can still get it. I have the install file for Windows. Be careful to choose a reliable source.

Tina 2 Loc: New Hampshire

Thanks everyone. An editor came with the camera but I don't like it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Free and easy usually don't come together in the same software. The trial period or risk-free cancellation window are your best bets for commercial titles.

Keep in mind digital photography editing software is rarely easy to use. They're not designed for clicking around and figuring it out. Consider utube videos and searches like "utube getting started photoshop elements" as a way to get started with each software. Just repeat the search for any software you decide to try. Watch 1 or several videos and make note of the authors you find most helpful. Even save the links for return visits.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

The goal of my photography is to have fun... PS is not fun, it is an ego thing, and turns off many to photo editing, perhaps even to photography.

PSE, combined with a $12 Elements+, is very versatile combo, the + opens doors of PS tools suppressed for Elements. http://elementsplus.net/

Paintshop Pro is also an effective editing program and has a how to guides
https://www.paintshoppro.com/en/learn/how-to/

I find that my Topaz plug in make life easy and give the ability to spice photos effortlessly. Yes, all can be done in PS, but it takes a long time while with Topaz plugin, change is quick and easy.

Buy PSPro and Topaz Plugins and keep them as is for year and years of satisfying, having fun, photography. PS is a puzzle you do not need to solve; a puzzle that will turn you off to editing.

There are basic tools that you will use, crop, clone, straighten, prospective, brighten, contrast... that is about all you need to master to start... and they are easy. Open your photo and then save the opened photo adding Mod A, so if you mess up no problem... or use the revers tool at the top row to undo what you did.

Start reading about composition ... https://truecenterpublishing.com/photopsy/article_index.htm

Red6

I agree with others here that Photoshop Elements is a good program and would fill the needs of most casual or hobby photographers. Another good editor is Affinity Photo. For me, Affinity's user interface is more intuitive than Elements and easier to use. Both are reasonable in cost with PS Elements at around $80 and Affinity Photo at $50. There are some good free editors, but I have found that learning materials such as books, user guides, and videos are not as numerous as those for Elements or Affinity. I do not think you can go wrong with PS Elements or Affinity. Both are well-supported, very reasonable in cost and have many active users.

Youtube is a great resource for learning materials. Also, both editors have much in common with Photoshop so skills learned using them will easily transfer to using Photoshop as you advance.

In my opinion, whichever editor you decide to use, the most important thing is to learn as much as possible about it and become proficient. Do not fall into the trap of jumping from one editor to another just to obtain some features that you will rarely use. Rather than switching around and searching for that "perfect" editor that is easy to use and produces perfect images with little effort, put that time into practicing with the one you choose. Learn and become proficient in one editor until you have the knowledge to know and understand the limitations of the software you are using, then you can make an intelligent decision on switching if needed.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Hi Tina. Photoshop Elements is an excellent entry level photo editor, and will help you develop editing expertise. It also will breed familiarity with the Adobe ecosystem should you ever decide to move to either Lightroom or Photoshop.

Another option is Luminar Neo which is relatively inexpensive and very easy to use, and has impressive capabilities.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

...A real grown-up editor..... Love it...
Similar to a grown-up camera I suppose.

Louis in QC Loc: Gatineau QC Canada

I am am surprised that no one suggested the following: Capture One Express is a free photo editing software for Sony and Fujifilm files – a simplified version of Capture One's award-winning photo software Capture One Pro. It's completely free to download and unlike a 30-day trial, doesn't expire.
I agree that there is a steep learning curve, unless mostly you the "Auto" feature...

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

This page has the Sony download and some preliminary training video, if our OP is interested in something free and targeted at Sony owners.

https://www.captureone.com/en/capture-one-express/sony

julian.gang

You will be very happy with Photoshop Elements 2023! I started with Photoshop CS3 but find, Elements 2023 much better...Julian