I just wanted some ideas on what kind of computer software i should get for editing my pics. I have heard a lot of good things about adobe photoshop. But i but i have also heard alot of good things about photo studio 5.5 for canon. So what is the best software out there?
Welcome to NPN! You will find this site a wealth of knowledge and a lot of fun.
You will find that most of us use some form of Photoshop. A beginner will find the current version of Photoshop Elements will be a good starting point that doesn't cost too much. The new CS3 will be out soon, but will be much more expensive - somewhat around $650. If you begin with elements you might be able to get your money back if you upgrade to CS3 as there is currently an upgrade for about $100 off the CS3 price if you have a licensed version of Elements. This is about what Elements costs to begin with.
The software that comes with the cameras is usually basic and often not able to keep up with the demands of serious photographers as they do not have the detailed controls we often use. There are other good software packages like Paint Brush that I am sure someone on NPN can review.
Posted by Carol Hyman on April 10, 2007 at 12:26 AM
Michael, It appears that most folks have some version of Adobe PS.
That said, software is rather like buying a decent programming book. I can remember when I learned to program in C; while there ware many great and fairly comprehensive books on the market, as I learned the more esoteric programming features, I would find myself buying yet another book.
The same thing is true with PS. I've used PhotoShop in various ways since the release of PhotoShop 3. Today PS2 and PS3 are filled with grand features. And while I'm no PS guru, I've recently discovered that Nikon's Capture NX has some features such as straightening and color control points that in some ways are superior to PS.
It's possible to download most software packages for a month's 'free trial so that would give you an opportunity to try before you buy. Adobe offers an educational discount and if you look around, that's possible to find without being in the field of education. Another thing to consider is that many exhibitors at art/photography/whatever shows and exhibits offer software at a considerable discount. Depending on your proximity to those shows, that too might be an alternative.
Carol
http://hy-tec-training.com
Posted by Dan Borzynski on April 10, 2007 at 8:50 AM
I probably would look at Photoshop Elements 5. For $100, it does most of what its big brother does and realistically, if you are not planning to do really radical things to your images, it should suffice. Yes, there are limitations on it, such as many options are 8 bit rather than 16 bit, no layer masks, a limited version of curves and no actions.
Here is a quick link to a similar question someone asked on the digital forum:
Michael, if you want to spend the money, buy CS3! If not, like Ed said, buy Elements, and upgrade to CS3. The way I see it, do it right the first time, and this will save you from going back an buying another software application. Now another option is Adobe Lightroom, which will provide you with some of the options that are in CS3.
Carol, you have been able to straigten photos since version 6 with the ruler, and arbitrary (using decimals) since 3 or 4, and in CS3, you have completely control over all color points in CR4.
Discussion
4 repliesYou will find that most of us use some form of Photoshop. A beginner will find the current version of Photoshop Elements will be a good starting point that doesn't cost too much. The new CS3 will be out soon, but will be much more expensive - somewhat around $650. If you begin with elements you might be able to get your money back if you upgrade to CS3 as there is currently an upgrade for about $100 off the CS3 price if you have a licensed version of Elements. This is about what Elements costs to begin with.
The software that comes with the cameras is usually basic and often not able to keep up with the demands of serious photographers as they do not have the detailed controls we often use. There are other good software packages like Paint Brush that I am sure someone on NPN can review.
That said, software is rather like buying a decent programming book. I can remember when I learned to program in C; while there ware many great and fairly comprehensive books on the market, as I learned the more esoteric programming features, I would find myself buying yet another book.
The same thing is true with PS. I've used PhotoShop in various ways since the release of PhotoShop 3. Today PS2 and PS3 are filled with grand features. And while I'm no PS guru, I've recently discovered that Nikon's Capture NX has some features such as straightening and color control points that in some ways are superior to PS.
It's possible to download most software packages for a month's 'free trial so that would give you an opportunity to try before you buy. Adobe offers an educational discount and if you look around, that's possible to find without being in the field of education. Another thing to consider is that many exhibitors at art/photography/whatever shows and exhibits offer software at a considerable discount. Depending on your proximity to those shows, that too might be an alternative.
Carol
http://hy-tec-training.com
Here is a quick link to a similar question someone asked on the digital forum:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=16595&b=vf3&st=0&la=546&ph=17&sid=25326&u=25326
Having said that, I should add that I am a CS2 user, and probably would not willingly go back to Elements 3 full time, which is what I was using.
Carol, you have been able to straigten photos since version 6 with the ruler, and arbitrary (using decimals) since 3 or 4, and in CS3, you have completely control over all color points in CR4.