dspoon2 Loc: Rockwall TX

Like mommy115 I have PSE9 with the topaz adjust 5 plug in...total cost for both was about $150...the best advice I got and followed before committing to PSE was a purchase of a pselement tutorial book by Scott Kelby...(amazon.com $15)...worth every penny...well written and easy to follow step by step procedures...I've also found that forums like this one and betterphoto are just busting with really nice folks who love to help...if you want to learn good photography and editing there is a world full of information out there...best of luck and Happy Thanksgiving to all

Sensei

If you don't have anything at all consider Picasa it is a free program that does a lot. Also take a look at Gimp, it seems to have many of the features Photoshop does. I think Photoshop is high because it provides more than photo-editing tools. Great fro Graphic Art Departments, but certainly expensive and overkill when you are starting out. I have PSE/ Picassa , Gimp and CS5 on a number of machines here. I find that use Picsa in combination with elements the most. Since Picasa and Gimp are both free , you can start with those, and then consider elements. Either Gimp or Photoshop would be over kill for most people. I think Gimp will do most of what Photoshop does.

Candiceob14 Loc: Central Texas

I have Topaz as well as Nik software and OnOne. So far I find that the Nik software is easier to use and has better effects and control. Like others have said...do the 30 day trial (offered for all of these bundles) and find the one that suits you the best. They are all plug in compatible with photoshop but i believe that OnOne will also work stand alone. Please correct me if i'm wrong. Good luck...I'm sure you would be happy with any of these:)

Meredith Images Loc: Stratford, CT

Photoshop Elements is a great way to go -- easier learning curve than CS5 and MUCH cheaper! For the average user (especially a newbie) it will do everything you will need. You should plan to become familiar with PSE before trying to learn a plug in. You will just confuse yourself!

Take a look at your local adult education programs for classes on PSE -- I teach at several in my area of Connecticut. They're generally inexpensive and designed for beginners (trust me, I've had people in my classes who just bought the program and know very little about computers in general!). My classes are "hands-on" where students are working along with me on the same image (I give them a CD with copies of my pics) along with extensive notes so they can practice at home.

This goes for the person who wants to learn more about layers as well.

Also - look around for local camera clubs and organizations that may offer seminars.

TNGator

Thanks to everyone for the excellent input. It has proven to be very helpful in terms of making a decision on software.

I hope your Thanksgiving is joyous and delicious!

vinniel

CW31--

I have PhotoPaint X4 & Topaz works with that Photopaint just fine. It also works with PaintShop Pro. As another commenter said, it is on discount. They frequently have free webinars where you can see the product in use and often get a discount code at the same time. I would never use all their products, so I just got those that I use after I saw what they did in the webinar. The products are easy to use and well documented. No, I don't work for Topaz -- just a very satisfied customer.

JudyL Loc: Indiana

My software of choise is......Photoshop Elements # 9.

vinniel

You bet. He had mentioned that he already had Photopaint, though. I also have Photoshop CS5, and really like it as well. I had PSE 9, and thought it was great. There's an add-in, called Elements+ that was on of the best 10 bucks I ever spent. It add a number of Photoshop capabilities back into Elements, and really gives it some extra power.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

If you're willing to say that you don't use Photoshop, then Corel Paintshop Pro X4 (note that they dropped "Photo" from the X4 title) does 95% of what Photoshop CS5 does. Adobe and Corel have been leapfrogging each other for over a decade now, but Adobe has a far better marketing program, maybe because Corel is located in Toronto, Canada.

Just so you'll know where I'm coming from, programs that I use daily, depending on what I want to do, how fast I want to do it, and whether or not I need it for the future (a lot of web site pictures I don't need for the future) include:

Corel Draw X5
Corel Photo-Paint X5
Corel Paintshop Pro X4
Adobe Lightroom 3.5
Adobe Photoshop 5.1

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

I have been using CorelDRAW and Illustrator for fifteen years and as far as I am concerned Corel has Illustrator beat by far. It is so much easier to use and does a lot of what AI does. I have played with PhotoPaint which is easier to use than Photoshop but revert to PS because of the abundance of tutorials, tips and tricks available.

Corel has such a better user-interface and has much more product for a lot less money but the reality is that Adobe is the 800 pound gorilla in the room. David and Goliath, Microsoft and Apple, Intel and AMD.

screen48 Loc: Northwest IL

Russ@ - I just purchased Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X3 Ultimate because it was $19 shipped in the sealed box. I had heard many good thing here about Corel and as a long time Corel Draw 4 and 12 user thought , what could I loose for $19. What are your thoughts? Since I purchased it I have read unfavorable reviews and many problems plus a real pain to install. Have you found this or don't know about X3?
When you talk about ease of use and less steps. I have found this true with Corel products. Even within Corel as I use Draw 4 more then 12 due to my work in screenprinting does not need all the bells and whistles. Some times newer is not always better.

Sherry

Picasa is a free editor from google very simple and basic but then they offer you to hook up with Picnik where you can add certain filters , fun things and then there are some they want you to pay for you can look through it befor you decide to download Picasa . Go to Picnik.com and in google search for Picasa 3.8 and it will take you to the download .
Photo shop elements is great has allot of advanced features , Gimp if free and allot similar to Elements .
Costco does have elments 10 for 50.00 but only till Nov. 27th is what i read plus its offering a scrap book CD with the program.
Topaz has some extra filters than Elements .
Hope this helps.
go to the all the websites and look around before you decide see what it is you want .
Good luck there are allot to pick from .

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

I actually only used Paintshop Photo Pro X3 for about two weeks before X4 came out. Based upon two weeks of extensive learning and use, I immediately upgraded to Paintshop Pro X4.

I think X3 is a complete bargain for just $19. Unfortunately, there is such a difference between X3 and X4 that the book I bought at the same time I upgraded to X3 is basically worthless, and the author doesn't have an X4 book out yet. No one does that I can find.

The book I have is Paintshop Photo Pro X3 for Photographers, by Ken McMahon. Pay postage and she's yours!

I've been learning X4 via the User's Guide and playing around with my basic knowledge of Corel software and how those Canadians think. LOL

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

CorelDRAW has been up to X5 for a year or two.

mpmccormick

I just purchased Portrait Professional http://www.portraitprofessional.com/press/ for $40.00 it is pretty good for touching up portraits. The thing I like most is that is whitens teeth and brightens eyes. It smooths out complections, etc. After I use it though I put the pics into photoshop just for good measure. But I think it takes much less time this way and I prob could get away with just using the one program. You can download a trial but it is useless other then to see what it does. You won't be able to save the end product.
Other then that I've heard of a product called dxo..it seemed interesting but I haven't really tried it. http://www.dxo.com/intl/photo/free_trial_version And there is always Ad
obe LightRoom but other then automatic upload to my website I can't really figure out what the buzz is about. It does batch processing but I have to look at each picture individually anyways...so I don't know.
Good Luck! For the money I really like the Portrait Professional. If anyone knows about DXO I would be anxious to hear your opinion.
Also there is a program you can get from www.fookes.com for free called easy thumbnails that will batch process thumbnails. For 36 bucks you can get easy imager that will batch process print, thumbnails, rotation and the standard contrast, hue, etc. http://www.fookes.com/ezimager/ I use this everytime I have a project.