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enuflrdy
271 days ago
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photo editing software
Hi Everyone! I am curious if you have a favorite editing software? I currently use photoshop elements but am curious if there is any easier to manipulate software? The problem is, I know elements has a lot of potential but unless you know every thing about it, it is hard.Does anyone have the photoshop cs4, is it easy to work with? I need easy, lol. The things I love about editing enclude: adjusting color, fixed blemishes, and fun effects. For some reason I am really into effects right now. I will have to find a picture that I have been trying to duplicate for advice on how it was done. Anyways, any suggestions? I need a new toy! LOL
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superdewa
271 days ago
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I have used Photoshop Elements and now use CS4. CS4 is MUCH more difficult to get the hang of. I recommend Scott Kelby's Photoshop Elements books (find the one for your version) to learn more about how to use Elements.
Otherwise, you might be better off with a free program like Picasa (download from Google), which has simple editing capabilities and a few fun effects. Picnik is an online editor (just do a search)-- with even more fun effect possibilities. Its basic edition is free, or you can pay and get more effects. You can also access Picnik straight from Flickr. I have a feeling Picnik might actually be what you are looking for.
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superdewa
271 days ago
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Just want to add that Picasa and Picnik are both very easy to figure out without having to buy a book or go through tutorials.
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Duchess14
270 days ago
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Almost all photo websites have editing software; Picasa, Picnik/Flickr, Photobucket. I like Picnik, it is easy to use, but I don't do any major editing, just blemish fixing, softening, or little things like that.
I have used CS4 in school, and I personally hated it. But, lots of people use it and love it. (maybe it was just my professor who made it hard)
Another one I have heard of is Lightroom.
I guess just try out the free versions of things, and if you like it enough, go for the pro edition.
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enuflrdy
270 days ago
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Thank you for the input! I purchased the book you suggested through amazon, I hope I like it! LOL
I keep hearing about lightroom as well as picnik, I will have to check them both out!
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Slugo
270 days ago
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I use Photoshop, Photoshop Elements and Picasa...
I use Picasa 90% of the time. I use Photoshop to correct parallax in architectural photography...
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jannz
270 days ago
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Okay - at the risk of demonstrating just how new I am to all of this - I haven't even heard of some of the programs you are recommending. I use iphoto and photoshop. Both learnt by trial and error. Are these other programs better or are they variations on a theme?
At least we all heard that somebody purred which is incontestable proof - T S Eliot (Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats)
(BTW -you can find me at www.digitaldiversity.co.nz)
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superdewa
269 days ago
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They are variations on a theme. If you are happy and comfortable with what you have, no need to go further.
That said -- I use a combination of Picasa (for viewing and organiziing photos because it's what I started with), Photoshop CS4, Photoshop Elements (because I had it before the full photoshop and feel more comfortable there), and Adobe Bridge. All together they work for me. But I have a feeling that if I had a copy of Lightroom, I'd rarely use anything else. I just can't justify it though since I have all these other programs.
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jimonline
269 days ago
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Lightroom 2.0 does 99% of everything I need. CS4 is anything but easy however it is also used by almost every pro shooter (cs through cs4). Lightroom for the non pro is a great program and you will find plenty of free tutorials.
Good luck and have fun!
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Joanie H
269 days ago
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As one of the minorities here, I use Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 (Ultimate version upgrade arrived this weekend and I need to install it). It does everything Photoshop CS4 does at a fraction of the cost. Most plugins will work with this program. Sure, there are certain actions created just for CS4, but you can create the same "recipes" yourself once you become familiar with what you can accomplish with PSP X2.
Also included in the most recent version of PSP X2 is Painter 4, which is a really nice addition.
No matter which program you choose to go with, you'll probably spend a lot of time exploring and learning, and that's the best thing you can do to get the most out of the program
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superdewa
269 days ago
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Am I correct that lightroom is more about enhancing photos and less about effects?
Joanie -- how easy is it to learn PSP? I think that was enuflrdy's question.
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Joanie H
269 days ago
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You know, I don't think "how easy is it" is a valid question because I don't know how enuf learns. Sounds silly. But what I'm trying to say is that every program has a learning curve. Some folks pick up on techniques easily while others struggle for years. (Me, learning masking is a perfect example...I struggled and then suddenly saw a quick video that made it all super easy)
People learn different ways. Some are readers, others learn better by hearing someone share the steps, and others still are kinetic learners (meaning they learn by doing). I will say this, I have links to PSP X2 videos that I'd happily share to make the learning curve less steep. For instance, masking was easily explained in this video: http://www.corel.com/img/content/commun … D=85431523
I wish I'd seen that two years ago! But there it is and now masking is super easy.
As for Lightroom, I do believe there are fewer effects, fewer bells and whistles. According to what I read in the March issue of Shutterbug, it's the editing tool for those who want to perform basic edits and use a bare minimum of effects. Conversion to sepia or duo tone is easy, as is cropping and anything else that's a basic task. It's more of a viewing and archiving system than it is a heavy duty photo manipulator.
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superdewa
269 days ago
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I guess what I'm saying -- is how easy is it to pick it up on your own?
I find Photoshop incredibly difficult to pick up on one's own, with their own help files. It's pretty much a necessity to get outside help (a class, a book, online tutorials...) to learn it. Elements is a little more learner-friendly.
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Joanie H
269 days ago
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Because I've learned to use Photoshop, Elements, and PSP all on my own, I'd say PSP is the easiest of all to use, although Photoshop wasn't that much more difficult (that was pre-CS, though). I never liked GIMP, though. If I had to rank each program, it'd look like this:
1) PSP
2) Photoshop (non-CS version)
3) Elements (probably easier than CS these days)
....at the end of the list....GIMP
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tmcsparron
269 days ago
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There are plenty of free tutorials on Youtube for both Photo Elements & CS3 & 4. This is a great resource for learning. You might also check out www.vtc.com (Virtual Training Center) which offers some great on-line training for about $30 a month, and it's a pay as you go. They have all levels of training courses for Photoshop & Photoshop Elements
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tufteach
269 days ago
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I'm with superd--PS CS4 (as PSP probably is, as well) is difficult to pick up on one's own. I like having books to refer to and when I want to learn a particular technique I try to find an appropriate online tutorial and/or video to use.
AND Joanie is so right! Different learners have different learning styles. A person must know how he/she learns best and go for it!
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jwampole
269 days ago
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Hello, I'm extremely new to this forum, very interested in the above posts. Considering a Canon G10, which comes with a whole raft of various software. Downloaded the manuals and DPP seems a strong performer. I'm a regular Photoshop user, DPP seems like a good contender. Does anyone have any experience. Thanks in advance.
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Joanie H
269 days ago
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You know, I haven't tried DPP, but it's sitting here on my computer, begging to be explored. Guess there's no time like the present!
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enuflrdy
269 days ago
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I currently have photoshop elements and it is easy to navigate through, I think. But, the problem is there is nothing laid out and everything you do, you have to know to do it. Does that make sense? LOL I am a fast learner but I also like things to be quick and laid out for me so I do not have to spend so much time on affects, they are just already there for me to choose from. I know elements has some affects but honestly I do not like their options. I think that having a reference book is going to help tramendously! But, I am still curious about trying something different just for comparison and hopefully to add to my collection, I am ready for a new software.
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Joanie H
269 days ago
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enuf download free trials of all the various photo editing software and give 'em a whirl. It's the single best way to determine what will work best for you.
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