JD750 Loc: SoCal

The one you know and use to get results you like.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Best reply.

No editing program will do a damn thing without input and direction from the nut behind the keyboard.

petercbrandt Loc: New York City, Manhattan

a short version of Photoshop, is Adobe Elements around $89.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

FastStone is good. As you get to know more of things you want to so with your images, you might look at Zoner Photo Studio.

Jetman

has anyone heard of "Xara Photo & Graphic Designer" by "Magix". They are from Germany but the programs and tutorials are translated into English. I got turned on to them by a hippie 7 years ago because of their lower price (about $60 and up) and shorter learning curve. I haven't used 'Photoshop" for a long time but I think Magix is almost as good. I also have their "Movie Edit Pro" mid range video editor. They have more professional programs (ranging from $40- 120 up to $700. in the video and up to $320. in photo management. I got $440. worth of programs on sale for $60. but I only bought the package for the photo editor and the magic-lasso effect which allows me to cut out my face and meld it over yours in a photo. The cut line seems to merge nicely without much manual retouching, or feathering on my part. Photoshop had this years ago but it took forever to learn. At 70, time spent on learning curves is more valuable because I have less of it. I would be interested in hearing feedback from someone who has used both Magix and Photoshop recently.

louparker Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Did you even bother to search for discussions on this topic? It has been discussed over and over again with many good suggestions and comments.

CaltechNerd Loc: Whittier, CA, USA

IF you get Photoshop, you also get Lightroom. Start your learning there. Lightroom does great overall adjustments (lighten shadows, darken overexposure, crop, etc.) with a more intuitive interface than Photoshop. BUT, do look at some videos first. There are good ones from Adobe and on the web. Start with the Library module. One video and it should make sense, we're talking 15 to 30 minutes and you're set. This establishes where your pictures will live and how to find them again. Later you can expand with keywords, reorganizing folders, etc.

Then the develop module. One or two videos and you're set for the basic (most important and useful) stuff. In a few months, look into the adjustment brush, then graduated and radial filters. All very powerful.

Eventually you'll want to bit-tweak. Just right-click to edit in Photoshop. It has all the adjustments of Lightroom and much more. First goody to try would be context-aware fill (replacing something you don't like with something that looks like it fits). But do learn layers and masks. it takes a bit of effort but gives great power. You may or may not ever want/need paths, that's another topic that requires study but is powerful.

astacus

Ahh....Got it, mea culpa! (and thanks)

Tronjo Loc: Canada, BC

It would help if you first define "best" and "picture editor" (scope of work you want to do with the application).

drc023 Loc: North Little Rock, Arkansas

I purchased Serif Affinity last week for the $39.99 year end price. I just looked at the website and that price is still good. I don't know how much longer the special price is going to be offered, but the regular price of $49.99 is a tremendous bargain for top quality editing software. I have nearly all the Serif products so I can vouch for how good they are. PagePlus is their DTP application and its an excellent piece of software. For someone who doesn't have a specific need for Photoshop and its sky high prices Affinity is a great choice.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

I do not think there is a "best" editor. It's the one that you are happiest with. Many of us try several and will continue to try them as technology evolves. I have tried several, some mentioned here. Only suggestion is to first try something to fit your level of expertise. As you gain knowledge and grow, so will your list of programs.

geodowns Loc: Yale, Michigan

I'm still using Photoshop CS3, its old but still does everything that I need, maybe that's why I'm still using it, it just keeps working. I been thinking about lightroom to see what have been missing.

wesm Loc: Los Altos CA

Windoze only :(

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Adobe Photoshop CC for Photographers.

Includes Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic CC and Bridge for $9.99/month.