 Steven Hews |
which photo software is best? Hello all, I was just curious which photo software is best to buy. Which has the most options?
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Steven Hews |
I guess like Corel draw 12 or Paint shop pro 8......programs like these..........?
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Stephanie M. Stevens |
The standard by far is Photoshop, it has the most features, its capable of just about anything, but it's expensive and hard to learn. I use Paint Shop Pro, it has lots of features, its cheaper, and while it does take some time to figure out, the learning curve probably isnt as steep as Photoshop. There are tons of programs out there, it just depends on what you want to do with it.
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Angela K. Wittmer |
What do you guys think of Photoshop Elements??? I am thinking of getting that...........
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Paul Tobeck |
I currently use both Photoshop 7 and Elements 3. I haven't upgraded to Photoshop CS2 because I haven't really felt the need. In fact, I don't use Photoshop 7 very much at all anymore because Elements 3 is so good. It has nearly every feature you could ask for when it comes to processing, general editing and organizing photos. It's interface is very beginner friendly but it still has some very powerful features(like Raw processing, noise reduction, etc.). In fact you can get Elements 3 nearly for free. Just go out and get yourself a Wacom Graphire 4 tablet for $99 and it comes with Elements 3 (plus Corel Painter Essentials, very cool for artistic photo effects). Elements 3 used to retail for $89 by itself. Bottom line, unless you're looking at doing multi-layed complex photo collages and blends, buy the Wacom tablet, install Elements and have fun with your photos! Plus you'll thank me for talking you into the Wacom tablet. I don't know how I got anything done without it. P.S.-I know Elements has been upgraded to version 4, but I've not seen any good reviews of the upgrade from the guys who were big fans of version 3. FYI
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Andrew Laverghetta |
Hi! I'll need to check out that tablet thing because I have heard a lot of people say that it's a lot easier to use for section tools. Personally, I use Adobe Photoshop CS. It was the only thing that would really convert raw files from my 20D at the time, plus it had more options than Elements (2.0) at the time. Before that I used Photoshop 7.0 because I could adjust color and levels and different things like that instead of just auto functions. Also, I great thing to if you go to a college or university that has licensed software, you can often get some GREAT deals. I got Photoshop CS, the full creative suite, for $200. It has really been great using it.
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Paul Tobeck |
I'd reccommend the tablet to anyone who works on photos, once you use it you'll never go back to a mouse. Just to clarify, Elements 3 lets you adjust colors and levels, just like the full Photoshop. The major tool it lacks is Curves, which is a bit complex for most beginners anyway. If you find you need curves, it can be had as an add-on to Elements (along with some other goodies). Check out earthboundlight.com for details.
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Steven Hews |
Hey thanks a bunch everyone. I think I'll check into the Wacom Graphire 4 tablet. I take it this is like a pen rather than the mouse? Sounds like it has all the options I'm looking for as well as being user friendly. Thanks again for all the input. I'm so glad I found this site!
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Slim Brady |
PS and a 3 day workshop and you've got it in the bag. I have never touched the book that came with photoshop, I'm more hands-on.
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Stephanie M. Stevens |
A Wacom tablet comes with a pen and a mouse, I use it with my laptop so I dont have to use the touch pad. The pen makes selecting and similar fuctions easier because it's just like drawing. Wacom has the Graphire line and the Intuos line, look into both. The pen and mouse with the Intuos tablets are wireless, Im not sure about the Graphire.
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Oliver Anderson |
I'm fortunate enough to have Elements 3, CS & CS2 (work bought them) I used to love Elements 3 and it was great to learn the basics (still very powerful tool) and the organizer was great. I was initially intimidated to try CS then I bought Scott Kelby's book The Photoshop CS2 book for Digital Photographers and haven't touched E3 or CS since. CS2 is great but expensive, this book walks you through any questions you'll have. Taking a course at a Jr.College is a great idea as well.
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Andrew Laverghetta |
Oh yeah, I forgot I did get a book on Photoshop 7 when I got it. I was Classroom in a Book which I believe, was actually put out by Adobe. Then, once you move up to something like CS or CS2, there are few enough things that you can just fiddle with them and figure them out. I have learned a lot through messing around and that seems to be the way I learn a lot of stuff, so just figured out whatever way you learn and what stuff you don't need to use will usually work out well.
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