Photo editing software

[gregm1948]

Just wondering what other folks are using for digital editing software. I've found one that works great for my purposes: Corel Paint Shop Pro XXI. It has the usual tools for correcting exposure, contrast, B&W conversion, special effects, etc. It can do many (if not all) of the things Photoshop can do, but to me, it's easier to use. I especially like the 'background remover tool'. I use it for taking subjects from their original background and placing them into others. In this pic, the basement wall in back of my subjects was pretty blah, so I cut them out of the original and placed them in a background jpeg which was included in the program.

I downloaded a trial version from Corel, but I bought the full program for a lot less on ebay. If you're looking for a comprehensive editing program, you might look into Corel.com and try this one.

Greg

[mtclimber]

Greg-

The simple answer is this: the best editing software is the one you like best. As you progress and want to do more in editing you will change programs and extend your skills. That is a nice job that you have done on your sample photo.

MT/Sarah

[gregm1948]

You're right, Sarah. I just wondered what other programs people like you use (if any), and why they like them. I started the ball rolling with explaining what I am using. Even though I own and use the Corel (at the moment), maybe there's something out there that would serve me even better!

Greg

[bigdawg]

You asked so I'll tell...

1. I use PhotoFiltre to do quick and easy post processing of photos to post online. It is Free and very easy to use. Takes up almost no disc space and loads in 1/10 th the time that it takes for Photoshop to load.

http://www.photofiltre.com/

2. I use Photoshop 7.0. I use this mostly to post process the ones I plan on archiving!I have so many plugins it takes up lots of hard drive space and loads quite slowly!

3. I also have Helicon filter...another free but limited in the free version program.

http://www.heliconfilter.com/pages/downloads.html

4. I have Picasa2 which is very good with straightening photos that are a little tilted! Lots more it can do as well!

http://www.easy-photo-software.com/

5. I can also recommend OptikVerve Labs Virtual Photographer. This is a great plugin for any Adobe product! Lots and Lots of filters! Oh,,, And did I mention it's free!!!! LOL

http://www.optikvervelabs.com/

6. I also use the Media Chance DCE tools set. The auto enhance is a great feature. Free again! Also an Adobe type plugin for any Adobe processing program!

http://mediachance.com/plugins/index.html

7. I have also the nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 stylizing filters and the traditional filters.

http://www.niksoftware.com/colorefexpro/usa/entry.php

8. I also use the Opanda filters from Opanda .com. Got to download these freebies. It is a stand alone program that simulates most Hoya, Kodak and other filters. You need to try this if you do much B&W photos. Free download here and it doesn't need photoshop or any other program to work. Like PhotoFiltre it is a stand alone program.

Whgile there get their IEXIF viewer as well. It is the very best way to view the EXIF data of photos you've taken or others have posted in a forum!

http://www.opanda.com/en/pf/index.html

9. For noise I use Neat Image. A great free program that filters the noise better than standard programs such as photoshop or paint shop pro!

http://neatimage.com/

10. I have but don't use much Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Image Ready that all the plugins and filters will work with!

Hope this answers your question!

Dawg

[mtclimber]

Gregg-

As for software I use Photoshop CS2, Photoshop Elements 5.0, MS Digital Image Pro 11.0, and Paint Shop Pro Version 8.0, just because it has perspective control.

MT/Sarah

[gregm1948]

Thanks for the input, guys. That's just what I wanted to find out. Dawg, you sure have given me a lot to work with. I've downloaded some of the progs and can't wait to try 'em out.

Greg

[dan279]

Heres my list.. in order of how much I use them:
Photofiltre
PS elements 3
XP Powertoys resizer
Neat Image
MS Picture it 10
as well as the Opanda programs Dawg mentioned( the're good ones)

Dan

[dr_spock]

I use Gimp.

http://www.gimp.org

[slipe]

I don't think you can do better than PSP XI. And I don't think you will outgrow it for a long time. I probably got mine the same place you got yours really cheap – in the CD-only version from Ebay. At that price I don't think you can touch it for capability.

I just got it for the vector integration and to mess with it a little. I have used Photoshop since version 3 and can do most things I want to do with it. I doubt I will ever really master it, but there are usually tutorials for things I have problems with. I takes me longer to do things in PSP due to unfamiliarity, but it has really good capability.

You would probably get proficient a lot faster if you would forget about other programs until you learned to use PSP. Noise plug-ins like Noise Ninja and Neat Image work in PSP, and using a plug-in is far superior to using a stand-alone noise reduction program. Other than noise reduction, PSP will do most tasks very well if you take the time to learn to use it. It has decent color management missing in most programs other than the full Photoshop. And has vector capabilities missing even in Photoshop. If I couldn't have the full Photoshop, PSP would be my next choice. Elements is extremely limited – I have no idea how you do advanced work if you can't make an action.

[gregm1948]

Thanks, Slipe, for your input. I tend to agree that sticking to PSp and mastering that makes the most sense, as opposed to screwing around with several different progs.
I do have a question about the 'vector integration' you mentioned. I've heard the term vector before, but I'm not sure what it means in terms of photos. Maybe you can sum up the idea here for us.

Greg