Photo Editing Software

[Lance2000]

Hi to all,
I am new to photography (Just taking it up as a hobby) and looking for advice on Photo editing software!!

Would like some decent software that is user friendly and don’t know what to go for .

Any views would be appreciated !!

[Liquid101]

I would look at the photoshop family.

Probably the best one to start with, for both ease of use and cost, is the latest version of Elements (v5). It's available for about 50 pounds.

It's basically a cut down version of the full package (Photoshop CS, currently on v2) It has most of the useful functions , and some 'beginneers' tools to help you enhance your images. Obviously, as you gain experience, you will probably want the full functionality of CS2 - and when you do, you will have the benifit of already being familiar with the interface and many of the tools and features.

You can download a trial version of the windows version from the Adobe website

HTH

[jamesbryan17]

If your just starting out in photography i would suggest that you go for the Photoshop Elements 4.0 or 5.0

[Astaroth]

Elements is very user friendly by all accounts.

Photoshop is much more powerful but is very expensive and a fairly steep learning curve.

Gimp is a very good free program but like photoshop has a steep learning curve... the fact it is free wins many over though

[jamesbryan17]

I got my copy of Photoshop CS2 on the sly, so maybe you could do that

[PaulBoy]

Originally Posted by Lance2000

Hi to all,
I am new to photography (Just taking it up as a hobby) and looking for advice on Photo editing software!!

Would like some decent software that is user friendly and don’t know what to go for .

Any views would be appreciated !!

Have you picked a camera yet? the reason I ask is that if you go for a Nikon I would seriously consider Nikon's Capture NX as that will work with all the current range of Nikons (apart from the D80 unless that has been resolved?)
Elements does work with Nikon RAW files but needed an add on to work with my D200 & even then I had problems
I had PSP X and there were issues there too which I was told by Corel "might not necessarily be sorted" in version XI
NX can be bought for @ £80 from OneStopDigital ... Paul

[Lance2000]

Originally Posted by PaulBoy

Have you picked a camera yet? the reason I ask is that if you go for a Nikon I would seriously consider Nikon's Capture NX as that will work with all the current range of Nikons (apart from the D80 unless that has been resolved?)
Elements does work with Nikon RAW files but needed an add on to work with my D200 & even then I had problems
I had PSP X and there were issues there too which I was told by Corel "might not necessarily be sorted" in version XI
NX can be bought for @ £80 from OneStopDigital ... Paul

Thanks PaulBoy, I am looking to get a D200 next week all being well. Would you have anymore information regarding Nikons Capture NX ?

[_Belial]

Photoshop is great, but also extremely expensive if youre starting out, so elements v5 is a great alternative. I also use the gimp, which is free and feature packed as well.

[Steve N]

Originally Posted by PaulBoy

Nikon's Capture NX as that will work with all the current range of Nikons (apart from the D80 unless that has been resolved?)

Capture NX works with all the Nikon range. I had to download a software update for my D80 but it's all working fine now.
Info for other D80 users - This is the only Nikon software that will work with the D80. Non of the earlier versions of Capture will.
I'm also using the Elements 5.0 on the 30 day free trial. I really like this and will probably buy it at the end of the trial.

[PaulBoy]

Originally Posted by Lance2000

Thanks PaulBoy, I am looking to get a D200 next week all being well. Would you have anymore information regarding Nikons Capture NX ?

I like NX as it is so specific to the Nikon camera I use the D200 but it is not as user friendly as PSP which I found to be the easiest with lots of automatic features - Elements was OK but I didn't like the interface & had issues with Nikon RAW files - However Elements & its big brother Photoshop is the most supported online with lots of users & tutorials including the Open Uni Course discussed here recently - There are also lots of books to buy on them
As with most software the NX manual is poor IMO & I couldn't find any books although the progam is pretty new - there is an e-book here which I downloaded for @ £13 & have used much more than the manual
You can download a 30day trial of NX from Nikon btw & see what you think ... HTH - Paul

[senu]

Originally Posted by PaulBoy

I like NX as it is so specific to the Nikon camera I use the D200 but it is not as user friendly as PSP which I found to be the easiest with lots of automatic features - Elements was OK but I didn't like the interface & had issues with Nikon RAW files - However Elements & its big brother Photoshop is the most supported online with lots of users & tutorials including the Open Uni Course discussed here recently - There are also lots of books to buy on them
As with most software the NX manual is poor IMO & I couldn't find any books although the progam is pretty new - there is an e-book here which I downloaded for @ £13 & have used much more than the manual
You can download a 30day trial of NX from Nikon btw & see what you think ... HTH - Paul

So PaulBoy which do you really really like?

Lets assume the OP doesnt use Nikon ( or indeed Canon)

Elements may have an issue with Nikon Raw files but I think its interface is very friendly indeed Unless coming from PaintShop Pro it looked a bit off putting
Is NX Nikon Specific only??

Speaking of which I saw Paintshop Pro XI for £49 at PC World Today, Similar to PSE5.
One of The Photoshop Family advantages is that there are Mac versions

[PaulBoy]

Originally Posted by senu

So Paul Which do you really really like?
Lets assume the OP doesnt use Nikon ( or indeed Canon)

Elements may have an issue with Nikon Raw files but I think its interface is very friendly indeed Unless coming from PaintShop Pro it looked a bit off putting


Speaking of which I saw Paintshop Pro XI for £49 at PC World Today, Similar to PSE5.
One of The Photoshop Family advantages is that there are Mac versions

Hi senu - I think you must have missed the bit where the OP said he was
buying a Nikon D200 &
wanted more info about Capture NX
- or were you being ironic
- I've tried all three and was trying to tell it as I found it ...
Paul

[senu]

Ah... the penny drops I did kind of skip that little snippet as it wasnt on the OPs initial post

No I wasnt being ironic I was really just genuinely curious though Im a little surprised that you found Elements GUI not to your liking

And having never seen or used Capture NX i wondered if anyone outside the Nikon "fraternity" use it: It is well regarded from all accounts

I do use PS CS2 and Elements but lately I find myself using Canons DPP ( which unlike Capture NX is free with Canons DSLRs)
It is very capable but seems very unsung

[Paul D]

Hi
I'm fairly new to this myself, and went with "Adobe Photoshop Elements 5".
I have to agree it's great with beginners and has powerful features as your knowledge progresses.
It normally costs around £60-£70 from most discount places, but can be had for much much less.
I bought from the "cheap software dude" of ebay. (£25.99 +£1.79 del)
It arrived within two days, and is a genuine disc and licence. (no fancy box)
It is a full "bundled only" edition, not one of the student/light editions etc.
Here's a link as he has them in stock again...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-ADOBE-PHOT...QQcmdZViewItem

[PaulBoy]

Originally Posted by senu

Ah... the penny drops I did kind of skip that little snippet as it wasnt on the OPs initial post

No I wasnt being ironic I was really just genuinely curious though Im a little surprised that you found Elements GUI not to your liking

And having never seen or used Capture NX i wondered if anyone outside the Nikon "fraternity" use it: It is well regarded from all accounts

I do use PS CS2 and Elements but lately I find myself using Canons DPP ( which unlike Capture NX is free with Canons DSLRs)
It is very capable but seems very unsung

OK no probs - I have used PSP at work for about 15yrs so that's probably why I wasn't keen on the Elements GUI but tbh NX has taken a bit of getting used to - as its totally compatible I'm keen to use it & it cost £80 whereas my Elements & PSP X were about £25 each! - There is the e-book for NX I mentioned & a raft of expertise over at Nikonians (where the author of the e-book is a member) & that should see me through any real problems - Not sure if any non Nikon peeps use it? Sounds like they'd be burned at the stake if they did - There's a couple of others here who tried it for 30days & now use it ...
Paul