What programes will i need?

[shoot_me]

Hi Guys

I see there is a lot of programes on the market for the PC, i am just a bit unsure of what one to get.
i see that photoshop is a popular one but is it the best value for money????

Ta

Chris

[TommoR]

Hi Chris,

This really depends on you. Have you used PS before? If you have or know someone to show you around it the CS3 and CS4 seem to me to be the most versitile but only if you know how to use it (some colleges/uni's will do courses). There is Elements which is a cut down version and although not used this myself I have heard it is very good. Then there is also Lightroom which I have just started to use and like and find it not as detailed as CS3 but good none the less.

That being said if this is a hobby and you don't want to shell out a load of money check the web, Picassa from google has some good basic functionality and GIMP is supposed to be excellent.

This probably doesn't help but have a look around.

Good Luck

Tom

[shoot_me]

cheers Tom

i have Picasa 3 on my PC i will have a look at that

[chris-p]

TommoR has covered most bases.

Photoshop is the industry standard. CS4 is pricey though and you can't technically buy CS3 any more. If you want Photoshop but without the pricetag then buy Elements 7 or 8 (8 is brand new) which offer most of the functionality you will ever need.

You're other options are things like Paint Shop Pro and ACDSee Pro both of which are well featured. I've just got a demo of ACDSee Pro3 which has been made to look a lot like Lightroom and has all the bases covered.

Picasa is a good program and allows basic editing and Gimp is almost CS3 but free. I have never got to grips with Gimp but know a lot of people who use it. It's the best featured program you can get under full blown Photoshop - and it's free!

[wavemachine]

I believe you can get a trial version of Elements from Adobe's website.

If you want to follow magazine tutorials then Elements is the one to get as most if not all the mainstream mags support this as well as CS3.

Elements 6 can be picked up second hand from Amazon for around £20, I am using Elements 6 on my machine which is running Windows 7 RC with no issues. With the release of version 8 reviews are saying if you own version 6 or 7 then there is little point in upgrading.

[shank_ali]

Please remember adobe is used to enhance your photographs.Alot of people over sharpen and generally spoil there photos if they don't no what they are doing.
Please leave ALL auto functions alone on Abobe.They are too severe and alter ALL your photo.
I have found the most usefull tool to be the spot healing brush (j).It just cleans and can be used as a small cloning tool.
Elements 5.0 is ideal to start your image manipulation journey but remember it's always ideal to get the best image in camera rather than shooting in RAW and spending hours sitting on your bum in front of your pc editing like a graphic designer !

[shoot_me]

cheers lads, sounds like i got a lot to learn!!

[shoot_me]

iv just got gimp is that any good????

[wavemachine]

Gimp is a very good open source program, it is very powerful.

It is tricky to learn and use though, there is little or no coverage of using it in the mainstream photo magazines although I am sure most of the techniques they cover will be supported in Gimp.

It really depends whether you want to follow magazine articles with ease when it comes to editting an manipulating photos, if you do then Photoshop Elements would in my opinion be a better choice. As I said ealier in the thread second hand copies can be picked up from Amazon sellers at a reasonable price.

You can get a trial version of Elements 8 from here

[lifecapture]

Chris, it all depends what you want to do, is it a case of cropping removing red eye, some colour boosting or is it a case of processing RAW data files, or do you want to manipulate your photos by gluing bits in from other photos to make a college or to make people thinner skin smoother etc.
Each of these requirements has a corresponding market and several companies competing in each. If you are just after simple edits try googles editor i forget what its called now, i am sure some one will help me on the name.