8 replies to this topic

[Melissa :)]

Right now when I "edit" my pictures, all I do is crop them and adjust the lighting. Then again, I only have iPhoto on my Mac to work with. But I would like some new editing software. I would need something fairly easy to use (cause I am a beginner), something not that expensive, and of course something that would make my photos looks better. Any advice would be great!!

[canon eos]

Melissa:) you can likely do a fair amount with the iPhoto software you have.
But for something more, I would recommend Photoshop Elements. It's 69USD at Amazon right now.
Elements is the little brother to Photoshop, but/and at about 1/10 the price. Photoshop (CS) is complete for sure, but is really bloated, was designed as a graphics program, and sure is not that 'easy' to learn. And PS Elements can do most of what most people need in photo editing.
With Elements you also can use plug-ins that are designed and available for Photoshop CS.
For a little more, you can get Lightroom at about 125USD. That's my personal choice, and it was designed by photographers for photographers, yes by Adobe, who make Elements and Photoshop!
A small but important detail is that you need to make sure your computer meets or exceeds the requirements for any software, umm, before buying!

[Melissa :)]

Thanks for the helpful info canon eos!!!

[David Case]

canon_eos, perhaps it would be helpful to Melissa if you would speak to the photo management capabilities of Photoshop Elements vs Lightroom. I only use Lightroom and don't have Elements so I don't have the necessary background or I would do it myself. Photo management is just as important in many, but different, ways as photo editing.

[canon eos]

I'm trying to keep things simple, and/as there are many forums which get into 'photo management' much more deeply.
Suffice to say, I have been 'managing' my photos for over three decades, and feel I have a pretty good grasp on things. And that said, while I use (and like) Lightroom, I do not use their catalog system beyond basic sourcing as one is locked into that. I have my own 'custom' arrangement based on KISS. I can find my images and edits as well (and as quickly) as anyone. Adobe has a way of making things more complicated than they need to be, as with CS!

[Bigfoot]

Right now when I "edit" my pictures, all I do is crop them and adjust the lighting. Then again, I only have iPhoto on my Mac to work with. But I would like some new editing software. I would need something fairly easy to use (cause I am a beginner), something not that expensive, and of course something that would make my photos looks better. Any advice would be great!!

Melissa

Part of the objective of the Photo Editing Contest, the June Contest was addressing the editing,

http://www.whatbird.com/forum/index.php?/forum/4493-whatbird-monthly-contests-completed/

There are several comments here that you may want to read.

Bigfoot

[cwj2323]

Because we use Linux, we are not able to use most Windows based programs, so we use GIMP. It's free and there are different versions out other for different operating systems. From what I understand it has much of the same capability as Photoshop, but I've never used that.

[LauraC]

I use Photoshop Elements with a Nik Color Efex Pro plug in. Elements is cheaper than regular Photoshop.

[Melissa :)]

Thanks guys!!