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Jun 21, 2022 02:32:07   #
flyboy61 Loc: The Great American Desert
 
This is no laughing matter to me: To begin with, I am borderline computer illiterate. I can get my email, navigate Facebook, YouTube, and some of my favorite sites.
Over the years, my wife has spent several hundred dollars on computer editing programs for me, all of which were a total waste of money!
Somehow, I just didn't "get it". After my nephew, who is a computer whiz told my wife not to waste any more $$$ if I couldn't fathom Photoshop Elements. I finally found Picasa, which I have used for years with only minimal problems.
I would like to graduate to an editing program that will have a few more capabilities, be usable, but very simple. I would like to have other capability, like making composites, panoramics, straightening converging verticals and removing unwanted things from photos, in addition to the simple things...cropping, and adjusting color balance. So far, I don't haven't been able to make a folder on our computer.
O.K., I'd like some suggestions regarding simple ways to upgrade my computer skills, and easy to use editing programs.
Thanks!

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Jun 21, 2022 04:05:51   #
niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA
 
Assuming you shoot JPG? I use AMS Photoworks most of the time which you can download for a week or so free trial, after that it's twenty dollars US for one year or $50 for a lifetime license. It's pretty capable while being very simple to use. It has video tutorial buttons on nearly every function and also gives you a walk-through at the beginning that's very simple. Windows Photos is pretty simple, but not as complete... but it's free. So is GIMP, but it's way more complicated, on a photoshop level of a learning curve. There are many other free ones, but many are online which I don't care for, but you might. I think Picasa is still downloadable somewhere? As for moving forward with computer skills, youTube is your friend. Do a search there for "how to make a new file in Windows 10 (or whatever) and you'll find lots of hits, the same goes for Bing or Google. Just ask fundamental questions to start and then build on what you learn with more difficult questions. Good luck!

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Jun 21, 2022 04:45:49   #
gmontjr2350 Loc: Southern NJ
 
Make a new folder in Windows?
Wherever you are in Windows, the Desktop, My Documents, My Pictures - Press "Ctrl-Shift-N". A new folder will appear having the name "New Folder" highlighted. Type in the name you want to use. Done. There are other ways to do this, but "Ctrl-Shift-N" is the fastest.

I still use Picasa as well, but I stumbled upon something called Polarr https://photoeditor.polarr.co/. It can be used online or downloaded as an application on your PC. It's Picasa on steroids.


George

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Jun 21, 2022 06:00:00   #
yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey
 
One of the easiest editing programs to use is Luminar Neo.

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Jun 21, 2022 06:35:10   #
Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.
 
flyboy61 wrote:
This is no laughing matter to me: To begin with, I am borderline computer illiterate. I can get my email, navigate Facebook, YouTube, and some of my favorite sites.
Over the years, my wife has spent several hundred dollars on computer editing programs for me, all of which were a total waste of money!
Somehow, I just didn't "get it". After my nephew, who is a computer whiz told my wife not to waste any more $$$ if I couldn't fathom Photoshop Elements. I finally found Picasa, which I have used for years with only minimal problems.
I would like to graduate to an editing program that will have a few more capabilities, be usable, but very simple. I would like to have other capability, like making composites, panoramics, straightening converging verticals and removing unwanted things from photos, in addition to the simple things...cropping, and adjusting color balance. So far, I don't haven't been able to make a folder on our computer.
O.K., I'd like some suggestions regarding simple ways to upgrade my computer skills, and easy to use editing programs.
Thanks!
This is no laughing matter to me: To begin with, I... (show quote)


You’re a man after my own heart. Photoshop or Elements, I just could not fathom. Even bought a book, PSE9 for Dummies. Even that couldn’t get through my thick skull.
Then came Picasa. I found it easy to use, even to work out how to use it. Like you, that has been my main editing programme for years. Pity it’s fizzled out.
A lot of editing now, I use the IPad for editing. It’s a bit of messing about but gets results.

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Jun 21, 2022 08:12:48   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Rather than buying more software, give a list of what software you have already. You probably have what you need if you would just try instead of claiming an inability to read or watch, do and learn.

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Jun 21, 2022 09:23:00   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-690287-1.html

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Jun 22, 2022 05:36:07   #
cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
Rather than buying more software, give a list of what software you have already. You probably have what you need if you would just try instead of claiming an inability to read or watch, do and learn.


That is a rather rude response, some people have a difficult time learning software (myself included)

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Jun 22, 2022 07:25:36   #
sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD
 
cmc4214 wrote:
That is a rather rude response, some people have a difficult time learning software (myself included)


It was not rude, it was a thoughtful, practical response. Difficult does not mean impossible. Depends how much you want to do it.

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Jun 22, 2022 08:23:07   #
Jim Bianco
 
flyboy61 wrote:
This is no laughing matter to me: To begin with, I am borderline computer illiterate. I can get my email, navigate Facebook, YouTube, and some of my favorite sites.
Over the years, my wife has spent several hundred dollars on computer editing programs for me, all of which were a total waste of money!
Somehow, I just didn't "get it". After my nephew, who is a computer whiz told my wife not to waste any more $$$ if I couldn't fathom Photoshop Elements. I finally found Picasa, which I have used for years with only minimal problems.
I would like to graduate to an editing program that will have a few more capabilities, be usable, but very simple. I would like to have other capability, like making composites, panoramics, straightening converging verticals and removing unwanted things from photos, in addition to the simple things...cropping, and adjusting color balance. So far, I don't haven't been able to make a folder on our computer.
O.K., I'd like some suggestions regarding simple ways to upgrade my computer skills, and easy to use editing programs.
Thanks!
This is no laughing matter to me: To begin with, I... (show quote)

Photoscape X free and easy to use, try it you will like it.

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Jun 22, 2022 09:49:04   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Yes, I understand. Some software assumes you already know a lot. Below are links to "Software for Beginners." The most common processing tasks are cropping, adjusting exposure, color, and sharpness. Any decent program can do that. If you want to replace heads on people or change the background, that's several steps up the ladder.

https://skylum.com/blog/best-photo-editing-software-for-beginners
https://wp-modula.com/best-photo-editing-software-beginners/
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-easy-use-photo-editing-programs-newbie-photographers/

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Jun 22, 2022 09:49:53   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
Not that it’s a bad thing but "easy to use" also means limited use. I also view a modern digital camera as an accessory to a computer. If you’re not computer literate you’re limiting yourself in dealing with photo files. Cameras have a fully AUTO mode but computers have no such thing. Take a class, learn how to use your computer.

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Jun 22, 2022 11:15:38   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
cmc4214 wrote:
That is a rather rude response, some people have a difficult time learning software (myself included)


I liken learning a computer and software from scratch to clawing your way through a brick wall with a Swiss Army knife. It takes a long time, lots of effort, and many folks will give up. But success means getting to the world's biggest toy store on the other side, and getting to play with all kinds of fun tools.

That said, some people *decide* they can't do some things. My solution is to find someone who can do those things and get them to do them, for a price.

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Jun 22, 2022 12:32:04   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
flyboy61 wrote:
This is no laughing matter to me: To begin with, I am borderline computer illiterate. I can get my email, navigate Facebook, YouTube, and some of my favorite sites.
Over the years, my wife has spent several hundred dollars on computer editing programs for me, all of which were a total waste of money!
Somehow, I just didn't "get it". After my nephew, who is a computer whiz told my wife not to waste any more $$$ if I couldn't fathom Photoshop Elements. I finally found Picasa, which I have used for years with only minimal problems.
I would like to graduate to an editing program that will have a few more capabilities, be usable, but very simple. I would like to have other capability, like making composites, panoramics, straightening converging verticals and removing unwanted things from photos, in addition to the simple things...cropping, and adjusting color balance. So far, I don't haven't been able to make a folder on our computer.
O.K., I'd like some suggestions regarding simple ways to upgrade my computer skills, and easy to use editing programs.
Thanks!
This is no laughing matter to me: To begin with, I... (show quote)


What version of Photoshop Elements did you try?

The reason I ask is that the more recent versions have had user selectable levels of assistance built in. You can choose between "Beginner", "Intermediate" and "Expert" modes, as you see fit. The Beginner mode gives you a lot of assistance and automation. Might be worth downloading for the free 30 day trial to see if it works better for you. I often recommend Elements simply because it has tons of support... books, online tutorials, plug-ins to expand its capabilities, etc.

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Jun 22, 2022 12:37:05   #
Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb
 
If you have a Mac, In believe IPHOTO comes with it and it's useable.

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