Photo editing software?

[fins]

PhotoShop CS.

And if I may recommend a very good book to go along with PhotoShop CS:

Digital Imaging for the Underwater Photographer: Computer Applications for Photo Enhancement and Presentation By: Jack Drafahl, Sue Drafahl

 

[florentny]

I use the GIMP on Linux. It's a very good alternative to Photoshop (and it's free)

 

[Swarth]

I got an older version of CorelDraw 9.0 that comes bundled with Corel PhotoPaint for around $25 - you can find this at a software liquidator. I've used CorelDraw since v1.1.2 around 1990 - awesome program.

My last version of the Corel Graphics suite was 8. PhotoPaint/Draw was at one time superior to Adobe and used in quite a few professional graphics artists works for publication. Support fell off and Adobe has dominated. The next low cost leader was JASC Paintshop Pro, which is very good. Just when you think Corel is about to go belly up, just last month they aquire JASC! I imagine an exciting new product will emerge from this union , loaded with features at about a 3rd of the cost of the comparable Adobe product.

 

[ChrisA]

What photo editing software does everyone use? Do you use what comes with the camera or do you have a favorite? We use Dell Picture Studio/Image Expert that came with our computer. I'm just wondering if there is something out there that is good and not too expensive.

The absolute best, (arguably professional level) photoediting software is also free (As in both "free speech" and "free beer". There IS a difference. The two uses of "free" are not the same.) Take a look at theis www.gimp.org

As with any powerfull tool using it skillfully requires study and practice There are free books on gimp or you can buy print copies at amazon.com if you like

For underwater photos I like it's color balancing features. It has quite a range of tools for that. Some are automatic some are semiautomatic (You tell it what is "white" and what youwant black.) and then there are some tools to manipulate the curves directly in either of a few different color spaces. The is a scripting language and the feature list goes on formany pages.

The only reason not to use Gimp is (1) you work at a place that has standardized on Photoshop or (2) you just want to do the most simple kind of corrections and already have something that is good enough for that.

Sometimes I'll work over a photo to the point where the result is bording on a painting. and
other times I'll do a simple crop and color adjustment

 

[10X]

I have Photoshop Elements and Paintshop Pro 9. I owned Paintsop before PSE so I have more experience with it. PSE produces a somewhat better picture, but you have to look at the 2 side by side and study them to see the difference. Paintsop seems easier to use, but maybe because I've used it longer.

 

[DI_Guy]

Photoshop is the best but can be difficult to use ( I have it ) but honestly the one I prefer is CompuPic by Photodex. (I have it too) It's simple and does everything that you may need. Check out the PHOTODEX website and you can download a free trial version

 

[Viscya]

I use Corel 11. Great program. Some of the folks here use Fireworks.

 

[RICoder]

PhotoShop 7...can't be beat in my oppinion, but it can definately be tough to use, as people have said.

I've found the 'levels' and 'color balance' adjustment tools invaluable on deep pictures and high-color reefs.

All of these photos touched up with PhotoShop

 

[PapaBob]

Photoshop CS is expensive and has a steep learning curve, but the program is very powerful and gives you the best results IMO. If price is an object then start with PS Elements as much of what you will learn is transferable to CS.

---Bob

 

[fpoole]

Yah, PE 3.0 would be the ticket...
I have ps3/4/6/7 and now CS along with PSe2 and now 3.0.. I use 3.0 for light quick stuff and CS for big permanent projects, but 3.0 can handle 90% of what I want and the rest I wouldn't know how to work with..

One step at a time eh?? LOL... one things is for sure, you won't out grow it...