Question about editing software.. (Page 5): When Picasa prevents you from doing something you want it will be time to change editors. Until then don't bother.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

filzfotoz wrote:

I have several issues working against me... I'm old; I can't afford pricey software; I don't understand many of the terms / processes in PhotoShop, Lightroom, etc. I use Picasa because it's free from Google. I don't want to spend a lot of time away from the camera while doing PP on my 'puter. Should I spend the bucks for PS and learn it or is Picasa okay? Recommendations, please!?!?!?

When Picasa prevents you from doing something you want it will be time to change editors.

Until then don't bother.

One Jughead Loc: Greene County, OH

filzfotoz wrote:

Sorry if I might have misled you, Gpa, but I don't... (show quote)

There are a couple of free programs out there that you could consider. Gimp - all of the bells and whistles of the costly ones and Photoscape - user friendly and handles most of the adjustments you normally want to make.

Doesn't cost anything to check them out.

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

I have Picasa and use it but it is limited on what it can do. It is definitely not the best. I also have Photoshop which is much harder to use but the limitation seem endless. It is a much better program and from what I have read even the writer does not understand all that it can do. With the newer digital processes there is as much that is done in the lab as there is on the front end so that should be a consideration. But we do now have that option which was not available to us before. The options seem to me we can continue to limit ourselves or spend more money to eliminate those limitations. Yes, I know you have the limited budget which is also another limitation. Photoshop does have some cheaper editions which might be considered.

anotherview Loc: California

More a description of an approach to doing photography for realizing the potential of a photograph via further development of it after capture in the camera.

From what I gather from reading the history of photography, this medium has always involved some degree of development. The issue does remain, of course, of what the photographer desires to express with a given photograph. This photograph may need more development to manifest this expression.

For the word "ego," I would substitute "vision" or "intention" on the part of the photographer.

Just my opinion, no offense meant.

Have a good day.

Wahawk wrote:

Just another viewpoint from one with a big EGO!! Some people can't leave anything alone even if there is no improvement needed.

tmorgen Loc: Palm Bay, FL

filzfotoz wrote:

I have several issues working against me... I'm old; I can't afford pricey software; I don't understand many of the terms / processes in PhotoShop, Lightroom, etc. I use Picasa because it's free from Google. I don't want to spend a lot of time away from the camera while doing PP on my 'puter. Should I spend the bucks for PS and learn it or is Picasa okay? Recommendations, please!?!?!?

I've had some expensive editing programs and found myself spending too much time trying to figure out how to do what I wanted to do. All along this time I've had LViewPro since it was free and kept up with many upgrades that hardly make any sense, I see few new things to use. The best part about LView is the price and its easy to use.
Still available from CoolMoon Corp.

anotherview Loc: California

To each his own. A visionary said one may reach the mountain top by many paths.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Most photos only need a few adjustments. Exposure, tone, white balance and sometimes cropping. If you want to get into composite, HDR or other tricks you might need something a little more powerful. If not, you have plenty of free software available and videos on YouTube as to how they operate. You don't need to spend more. Good luck.

filzfotoz wrote:

I have several issues working against me... I'm old; I can't afford pricey software; I don't understand many of the terms / processes in PhotoShop, Lightroom, etc. I use Picasa because it's free from Google. I don't want to spend a lot of time away from the camera while doing PP on my 'puter. Should I spend the bucks for PS and learn it or is Picasa okay? Recommendations, please!?!?!?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lamiaceae wrote:

How old? I'm 60.

I used to be 60. Ah, youth! :D

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Wahawk wrote:

Just another viewpoint from one with a big EGO!! Some people can't leave anything alone even if there is no improvement needed.

With regard to your statement, "Some people can't leave anything alone", I plead guilty as charged. Although I'll probably never achieve it, I try for perfection in all things to the best of my ability. Contrary to what you say, there is usually room for improvement in almost everything. I think we should all strive to continually improve what we do and what we create to avoid complacency and mediocrity. Perhaps its not an issue of a big ego but just of a different standard. Each to their own.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

jerryc41 wrote:

I used to be 60. Ah, youth! :D

At least we still wake up each morning and remember who we are. :) Oh to be 65 again. Lol.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

mwsilvers wrote:

At least we still wake up each morning and remember who we are. :) Oh to be 65 again. Lol.

That's the idea. :thumbup:

Daryl New Loc: Wellington,New Zealand

Go to
http://photoscape.org
If you can read and can spend sometime checking all things it can do,you can use it....lol No seriously it's a cinch,and free.We use it all the time. :thumbup:

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

47greyfox wrote:

Another option? DxO Optics occasionally offers free licenses for previous revisions. I think Photoshop 4.0 can still be found (also free). Doesn't Nikon offer post processing software with their cameras?

This bit about PS 4 being "free" pops up quite often. Adobe says it is only free for those who had previously paid for it and had lost the key or something like that, don't remember the exact specifics. Any other use of it is simply theft and nothing less. This has been mentioned several time here on UHH.

Raleigh Loc: Reside in Olympia WA

Several of the programs provide a free trial; Corel is one.
I am moving to Corel PaintShop Pro X6 Ultimate after many years of fighting Lightroom. I think Corel will better meet my needs and I prefer it to PSE.

I too am an old geezer (82) and think your quest for knowledge and a legacy is admirable.

Have fun and enjoy

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

smith934 wrote:

This bit about PS 4 being "free" pops up quite often. Adobe says it is only free for those who had previously paid for it and had lost the key or something like that, don't remember the exact specifics. Any other use of it is simply theft and nothing less. This has been mentioned several time here on UHH.

Actually, it was even older than that: Version 2.0
I just checked the Adobe website, it no longer seems available from there, but you can get it here:
http://www.techspot.com/downloads/3689-adobe-photoshop-cs2.html
This company makes the claim:
"Adobe Photoshop CS2 Free
Adobe has released this legacy version of the ever popular Photoshop as freeware. Download and enjoy."
I hope this is correct!