Editing advice please

[cobratec]

I'm new to digital photography and have been using serif photplus x3 to edit my photographs. Although its quite a good program i find it complicated and all the magazines appear to use a photoshop program to edit. Can anyone give me adviice on the best (reasonable priced) program, I have been looking at Elements 8.
thanks
David

[GerryBateson]

If you are new to imaging you will find all the programs a bit daunting. I have X2 and it has some features that Elements doesn't and vice versa. The programs do largely the same things but perhaps in slightly different ways. I would persist if I were you, there are forums on the serif site.

I do use Elements 7 as well for Raw files but X3 now handles these as well. It has curves and layer masks too. I like the interface better too.
you can always post here for advice or contact me, no expert but competent with all the basics.

[chris-p]

Elements is probably the best program for the money. If nothing else it will mean you can use most of the magazine hints and tips as they're always Photoshop based.

If you want something more complex you could try The Gimp. It's basically an open source, and therefore free, Photoshop. It does a lot more than Elements, it is closer to CS3/CS4 so it takes time to get to know but you can't beat it for value!