Photo Editing

[Whaler]

I have been using Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 on my Mac for some time now but have never been totally satisfied but better than iPhoto. Today I downloaded the trial version of
Photoshop Elements 6.0. I have only played with it for a bit but so far I like it.

I can't go for the big bucks software but has anyone found anything better that doesn't take a genius to use?

[leehljp]

Graphic Converter
http://www.lemkesoft.com/xd/public/c...lkPTE5Mw_.html
I am used to Photoshop (15 years of use) and sometimes use GC. It is close to being as powerful but it is a little confusing and complicated to me because of my long Photoshop background.

Pixelmator:
http://www.pixelmator.com/
A good low end Photoshop program that several friends like real well as a good substitute to the high price of Photoshop.

Iris:
http://www.nolobe.com/iris
Looks good but does lack some of the PS features that I use regularly.


The one feature for 'simple' editing that I use most in PS is the "feather" feature and "expand/contract x number of pixels". I think Graphic Converter has this but I don't remember. I know that Iris does not have it, and I can't remember about Pixelmator.

Each program comes with a trial version.

I would start with Iris and see if it works fine for you. If it does not have the features you need, the next step up would be Pixelmator. After that, then Graphic Converter. Many people swear by GC but it is more complicated for someone not into daily usage.

[Bruce Cohen]

Dick,

The 6.0 version of Pshop Elements is all you'll ever need. I do really complex compositing ( for work) using Photoshop CS3, the learning curve for it is probably longer than I have left to live. And I've been using Pshop since it came out (about 17 years ago)

There's a lod of stuff in the "big brother" version that you'll never use, unless you're going to have your stuff printed on a commercial press.

I know professional photographers who own 48" wide 12 color ink jet printers and they all use Elements.

It will definetely getr you where you want to go. Just be patient, and don't get frustrated. Also, Amazon has a ton of pooke on Elements (just be sure they're for v6.0)

If you'd like, I can take a look at what they have and point you in the right direction, as some of the books are just about worthless.

PM me with your questions.

Bruce

BTW, I also use a mac, it's the only way to fly!!

[poolhound]

I know I am a bit of an Adobe bigot but for me there is nothing out there to touch it. The downside is it isnt aways easy but once you get the hang of it its like riding a bike.

Usually the catch with the simpler - do it for you - types of software is lack of control. The pro and con with something like PS is that you can do all types of things on a pixel by pixel basis.

If you dont want major editing then you should look at Adobe Lightroom. It was designed specifically for photographers. I use this first and many times dont even need to open PS. It has many great features including the automatic creation of web photo galleries which you can upload directly to the server at the touch of a button. here is an example. Other than picking the photos, setting the title and a few other details all you do is click upload and you end up with something like this

http://www.jrdrmarketing.com/photos/toppickslipshoot/

The price can also be an issue but if you know anybody (friend, child, grandchild) at all who is at school or in education, student, teacher, professor then the education discounts are very deep. I have one of the full adobe CS3 suites which retails for around $1500, my son who is at college got me a copy at the campus bookstore for around $600.

[jziegler]

I personally have been using Paint Shop Pro Photo X2, and find it much easier to use than the old version of PSE that I had (1.0 I think), but it is Windows only. PSE seems to be a good compromise for most, the biggest thing that it is missing is curves for brightness/contrast adjustment, and there are many other tools to do those adjustments. If you're happy with the trial, PSE is a good tool.

The GIMP is free, but a real challenge to use.

Jim

[mikel]

I love iView on the mac but alas an old version since microsoft bought last year and messed it up.

Photomechanic is awesome for editing. Photoshop for manipulating images or raw conversion. Lightroom is very good for converting raw or fixing jpegs.

...m

[Tom Slick]

I also use photoshop elements 4.0 and don't care for it. I have my eye on CS3, which I can buy (legally) for $300, and have taken a class in, but can't justify. maybe santa will bring it?!

The book "Adobe Photoshop CS3 Classroom in a Book" is a very good tutorial

[poolhound]

The book "Adobe Photoshop CS3 Classroom in a Book" is a very good tutorial

I agree, I have that one and a couple of others. For anybody trying to learn this (and other complex design SW) I could not reccomend Lynda.com (http://www.lynda.com/) more strongly. It can be very difficult to pick these complex software suites up from a book alone and the video tutorial available on this site are excellent.

You can sign up for a free trial and I know that when you buy certain adobe products you can get a free months worth of access.

Like Bruce, I use this software on nearly a daily basis so if anybody needs help just holler.

[Ed62]

Although I've never used it (I use Photoshop 7.0), I've heard a lot of good things about Gimp. It's a free program, and from what I hear, it will do about anything you need. Here's a link http://www.download.com/GIMP/3000-2192_4-10073935.html It is available for Windows and Mac.

Ed

[Alex Franke]

The GIMP. Love it. It's free and available for just about any operating system, including Windows.
Linky: http://www.gimp.org/

...and here's a free (fully hyper linked, but unfortunately out dated) book on how to use it -- at least it covers the basics. http://gimp-savvy.com/BOOK/index.html - use the contents/index/paging on the left to walk through it.

Edited - I thought I recalled seeing several free GIMP books out there -- a least a more recent one. But I must have been thinking of a different application.

[p8ntblr]

2nd the recommendation for Gimp.

[leehljp]

I have been a Mac user for almost 20 years and a MS PC user for half that long. The Mac has always had lots of good high end software for many purposes. Unfortunately good, intuitive and easy to use programs for the average user have not been on the same level as available for the Windows PC.

IMHO, While Gimp is free and even Graphic Converter is reasonable, the learning curves are above the needs of the occasional and average user.

Photoshop is totally out of the question because of its price and learning curve - for many people, especially for the new buyer who will only use it occasionally. I am glad I learned the basic of PS back when it was simple.

[poolhound]

Photoshop is totally out of the question because of its price and learning curve - for many people, especially for the new buyer who will only use it occasionally. I am glad I learned the basic of PS back when it was simple.

I think thats why they came out with things like PSE and Lightroom, both from a price point and ease of use point of view. the full PS is certainly overkill for many users but it is still the rolls royce.

Its like having a high end cabinet saw and only using it to trim fence posts, you know it can do much more if you want it to....

I use PS proffessionally and am sure I only use about 50% of the features, there are some things I know it can do that I will just never use. Nice to know they are there though.

[tung tied]

I second Lemkesoft Graphic Convertor.