Photo Editing Software

I'd always go Adobe, I've got Adobe CS6 at the moment.

 

I had a Corel Printhouse years ago - would still have it but doesnt work on Vista. Now I have Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 - and find it better/easier than the Corel. Lots of tutorials on Youtube for Photoshop too.

S.

 

I still don't use any editing software and just crop on camera if needed. I have an ancient Paintshop Pro 9 but only used it a couple of times for resizing. Perhaps I could improve some of mine if I did.

 

The most I have done with my Photoshop was to smooth out all my mother-in-law's wrinkles (she's 84 years old) and she loved it

 

I have used PSP and Corel draw in the past , they are very sophisticated and expensive bits of software . Luckily I got them free for projects at work.
I now use these two free bits of software for filing and enhancing my photos .
FastStone - great for filing photos and basic cropping and resizing etc.
http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm
Photo Filtre - good for enhancing , colouring , cloning , smudging etc possibly all you will need to do ?
http://photofiltre.en.softonic.com/

 

I've thankfully never seen a war between paint shop pro vs photoshop vs elements users, although I have seen many topics where photographers differ from each other with their software choices.

I've used Photoshop since version 4 where I used it in a work environment, but I have also used Elements and the paint shop pro versions over the years, I have not used Elements now for around 3 years and PPP for longer than that. However I think all three have their place and uses, and of course user fan base too.

I think (and its my opinion here) that the undisputed kings of the software market are Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture (Mac only). You will find all the very best togs use one of these, but I dare say one or two will use PPP too.

Photoshop will do just about anything you ever need but comes with a hefty price tag, and a majority of the features will not be used by most people. Many people will buy it because they think they have to have it, this is not so. Photoshop Elements would be more than enough for a very good proportion of the photographers that frequent photo forums, but telling people that's all they really need is likely to upset, so I never would say it.

I use Photoshop for two reasons.

1. Because its supplied to me for free as part of a working package from a repro house.
2. Because I use it in such a way that 90% of my photography work is automated, so I actually spend less time in post processing and more time taking photo's. After a days shoot, I'll use photoshop normally for around 10-20 mins max. I have many self written scripts, actions and droplets that facilitate this.

Paint shop pro I used to say was/is as good as Photoshop Elements or vice versa even though I thought that sometimes PPP was a little long winded in doing certain things, it was still a very capable program.

So, as far as recommendations go.

For Strongy, who admits to using software infrequently, I would say Paint Shop Pro would easily suffice and it would do all that is required.

For anyone else I would recommend Photoshop Elements, its just photoshop with a few things missing, including hundreds of pounds off the price tag.

Once you have used Elements for a few years (and learnt how to use it) and you find yourself wanting those extras that the full photoshop has, then you can upgrade if you really want to. But most people will never need to as the extras are really just more advanced tools and productivity.

I hope this helps rather than confuses.

Steve...

 

I use Photoshop CS6 for photo manipulation but for batch processing I use Capture One pro (wipes the floor with Adobe light-room in almost every way.). Also if people do not wish to splash the cash on program's try GIMP (no really it is called that! GNU Image Manipulation Program) its Free and can do every thing Photoshop can do and also uses most Photoshop Plugin filters.

 

PS CS6 all the way for me. I rent it online for about £8 per month