Can't afford ADOBE...

[ruffas]

I can't afford Adobe Photo Shop and am really peed off with all the digital photo magazine offering plug-ins and hints and tips for Photo Shop.

Alright i have a decent PC and a decent digital camera but I cannot justify £100's on software..

Is it worth it? Or am I just going to spend the rest of my life buying digital photo magazines with plug ins and hints and tips.??

Ruffas

[Russell]

It really depends on how badly you need it and how interested you really are in getting PhotoShop. Hands down, PhotoShop is far better than any program of its kind. Even if you don't really need it that bad, you will probably convinvce yourself that you do after using it for a while.

It is definitely one of those "where have you been all of my life" kind of applications.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Try Jasc's Paint Shop Pro. Version 7 could do what I wanted it to do, so it's a good way to start off before you decide the spend the insane money on Photoshop.

[Janak Parekh]

Try Jasc's Paint Shop Pro. Version 7 could do what I wanted it to do, so it's a good way to start off before you decide the spend the insane money on Photoshop.
Seconded. It's a fantastic program, and there's a free trial IIRC.

--janak

[Suhit Gupta]

I have been using Photoshop for ever and ever... it really is fantastic and if there is ever a piece of software (other than an email client and a browser) that one should buy, it is Photoshop ;-). However, since budget is a concern, yes, Paint Shop Pro is very nice.

BTW, you haven't mentioned whether you are using Windows or not. But if you are by any chance using Linux then Gimp is also quite nice. Maybe you should look to see if there is a windows port for it.

Suhit

[Jason Dunn]

You might want to check out Ulead PhotoImpact (www.ulead.com) - I prefer it over Photoshop because I find it works that way I do, not the other way around (Photoshop has a steep learning curve IMO). PhotoImpact is also compatible with many of the plugins you see in those magazines.

The reality is, though, that if you want to be 100% compatible with all the tips, tricks, plugins, filters, actions, etc., you'll need to get Photoshop. :wink:

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Actually, for most things PSP will do just as well, it's a matter of knowing how to do it in a different way.

I'll try out this ulead product someday, always good to find new low cost alternatives.

[Gary Sheynkman]

u can also give Photoshop Elements a go...it's quite a bit cheaper

[ruffas]

Try Jasc's Paint Shop Pro. Version 7 could do what I wanted it to do, so it's a good way to start off before you decide the spend the insane money on Photoshop.

I have this software (have had since ver 5) and thinks its great, but as I said all the magazines etc have hints and tips for Photoshop.

Are there any good reference sites for PSP?

Ruffas

[Suhit Gupta]

Are there any good reference sites for PSP?
Jasc itself points to several tutorial sites - http://www.jasc.com/tutorials/tsites.asp and those have always been enough for what I have wanted to do. I don't know how basic or advanced a user you are of PSP, but most of the links on that page range very widely for different skill levels. So this might help.

Suhit

[Mr. MacinTiger]

From my experience with Windows:

What about Photoshop Elements? It is usually found for under $100 and has most of the functionality of Photoshop.

I also send out recommendations for Paint Shop Pro - cheap and powerful.

And of course, my favorite freebee: Irfanview

[Suhit Gupta]

Does anyone know how much Adobe ImageReady costs? And/or whether it can be purchased separately from Adobe Photoshop? If it is cheaper then that might be another alternative since it seems to give many of the cool features that Photoshop offers.

Suhit

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

They're quite different programs, and I thought IR comes with PS.

[Suhit Gupta]

I realize that it comes with Photoshop, and I also know that it is a different program ;-). However, if you look at it, it basically has the same look and feel as Photoshop, and has a bunch of it's functionality too, like layering, applying filters, etc. This may just be because ImageReady was meant to complement Photoshop.

In any case, since it provides Photoshop like functionality, I was wondering if it was available as a standalone and perhaps cheaper product so ruffas may be able to afford it.

Suhit

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Given what IR does, I'd think PS Elements would be a better idea. Plus since it is considered a professional tool, I don't think it'd be cheap as a standalone. =P

[ruffas]

Cheers.. Will take a look. I have never actually checked the JASC site out!!! Duh!



Are there any good reference sites for PSP?
Jasc itself points to several tutorial sites - http://www.jasc.com/tutorials/tsites.asp and those have always been enough for what I have wanted to do. I don't know how basic or advanced a user you are of PSP, but most of the links on that page range very widely for different skill levels. So this might help.

Suhit

[Macguy59]

u can also give Photoshop Elements a go...it's quite a bit cheaper

That would be my recommendation also. I use that on my PC and my Mac laptop.

[ux4484]

Another vote for Elements here, not as intuitive as some apps, but less of a learning curve then full Photoshop, and the right price (sometimes included with digital cameras).

IMO the complete version of Photoshop is really only for perfectionists (or those who can get their employer to foot the bill for it ;) ).

BTW, isn't there a reduced cost student version of PS?

[Jason Dunn]

...tap...tap...

Seriously guys, take PhotoImpact (http://www.ulead.com/pi/runme.htm) for a 30 day free trail before making a decision.

[Macguy59]

...tap...tap...

Seriously guys, take PhotoImpact (http://www.ulead.com/pi/runme.htm) for a 30 day free trail before making a decision.

I have tried it but prefer Elements.

[possmann]

Has anyone used or tried out either one of the Microsoft products?

PictureIT (http://www.microsoft.com/products/imaging/products/pipinfo.asp)
or
Digital Image Pro (http://www.microsoft.com/products/imaging/products/dipinfo.asp)

I be interested to hear your take on both of these products. I do agree that Adobe is pwerful but as Jason mentioned, it is a bear to learn and if you aren't working with it all of the time...

I'll check out taht ulead product and the Jasc software also has a free download so I might try that one out as well. I really am not looking for a huge learning curve, but still would like a powerful product...

[Jason Dunn]

I haven't looked at the Microsoft products lately, but the last time I checked they were so-so. I little too dumbed-down for my tastes, but then again, I love Picasa, which hardly does anything that's complex. ;-)

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Student price of PS is half the cost of PS here, which is still VERY expensive.

[Macguy59]

Has anyone used or tried out either one of the Microsoft products?

PictureIT (http://www.microsoft.com/products/imaging/products/pipinfo.asp)
or
Digital Image Pro (http://www.microsoft.com/products/imaging/products/dipinfo.asp)

I be interested to hear your take on both of these products. I do agree that Adobe is pwerful but as Jason mentioned, it is a bear to learn and if you aren't working with it all of the time...

I'll check out taht ulead product and the Jasc software also has a free download so I might try that one out as well. I really am not looking for a huge learning curve, but still would like a powerful product...

It's like anything else . . . depends on how much you want to do. There isn't much I can do with PS that I can't do with PS Elements. But for the casual user there are a few "Automatic" picture enhancements readily available. "Quick Fix" "Auto levels" "Auto contrast" etc. Personally I have found that the higher quality digicam I use, the less I have to make picture adjustments except for cropping and red-eye.

[Gary Sheynkman]

Student price of PS is half the cost of PS here, which is still VERY expensive.

some universities provide alot of free software

Office XP...photoshop....etc etc

Only 2.5 semesters left until i go to college!

[Janak Parekh]

some universities provide alot of free software
It's never free -- it either goes in tuition, or you buy it at a student discount.

By the way, I've found most use the latter model unless you're staff.

--janak

[Gary Sheynkman]

some universities provide alot of free software
It's never free -- it either goes in tuition, or you buy it at a student discount.

By the way, I've found most use the latter model unless you're staff.

--janak
You are right...can you imagine the stuff the give you with Harvard's tuition??? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Just kidding..
Back on topic


Regarding PictureIT: I think its a great "dummy" software for people just starting out. Easy to use and is very convinient

[possmann]

OK - so what is your opinion of a good photo editing software in the middle range? - intermediate skills - not advanced (assuming that advanced means Adobe) and not basic - PictureIT...

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

The recommendation of Paint Shop Pro and PS Elements still stays. =)

[Jason Dunn]

The recommendation of Paint Shop Pro and PS Elements still stays. =)

And I still recommend PhotoImpact from www.ulead.com :D

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

And speaking of that, I can't download the damn trial.. ulead's ftp servers give me a blank file!

[foebea]

If you have a broadband connection, Adobe has a 30 day fully functional trial of CS available at http://www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe/download.jsp?ftpID=2354
:D

edit: it does require you to register on adobe's web site, but its free to register and only takes a moment.

[dartman]

I vote for PS Elements as well. If you get it buy this book by Scott Kelby. It is excellent and will save you a lot of time. I had PSE for a couple months messing with their tutorial and learned more in 2 days with the book.

"The Photoshop Elements Book for Digital Photographers"

Scott Kelby

ISBN 0-7357139-2-8

He's known for his books on the big Photoshop program. I've seen him on TV a few times.

dart

[foebea]

If you have a broadband connection, Adobe has a 30 day fully functional trial of CS available at http://www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe/download.jsp?ftpID=2354
:D

[marlof]

For those into Elements, don't forget the Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements ( http://www.hiddenelements.com ). It comes with a CD with free tools, that you can use in Elements. One of them is Curves, which is mysteriously lacking in Elements. For me, that alone was worth the price.

[James Fee]

No vote for the GIMP? ;)

the GIMP 2.0 Preview (http://www.newsforge.com/software/04/02/23/1914218.shtml)

I use Photoshop CS....

[Steve]

I would recomend the gimp also, I like it for when I am on linux. But I usually stick to photoshop 7.1 on windows.

Sometimes I forget that adobe isn't affordable. I always think of it as sort of pricey. That's because applications I deal with can get up to 13,000 and more, hehe. That's $cad anyhow. Getting Adobe Photoshop is a bad idea for home use maybe, unless you can earn it back. Because really, photoshop is like a launchpad space rocket swiss army brush ludicrous foot stomp, and most people aren't aware of 90% of the features in the program. You can easily get away with Paintshop pro, Painter, or even Macromedia fireworks. Each of those is significantly cheaper than photoshop. That's with good reason of course, but not many people would ever miss the features they no longer had access to in the cheaper programs.

[dartman]

The recommendation of Paint Shop Pro and PS Elements still stays. =)

And I still recommend PhotoImpact from www.ulead.com :D

Jason,

I used early versions of PhotoImpact for quite a while. I agree with you about the capability and ease of use. Certainly a good value for the features.

I notice the latest version includes something called PhotoImpact Album. Is it any good?

Just noticed it includes Photo Explorer which handles video, still images, etc. Any feedback about that product?

Thanks,

dart