Photographic Software Suggestions

[StoneChucker]

Y'all are gonna have to excuse me asking the following question, whenever I type in www.google.com I get redirected to KB, weird...

I have a couple of programs that you can adjust basic graphic setting with (contrast, sharpness, etc...) as well as some effects and tools, but I am looking for a complete photographic package. I'm not a super experienced photo adjuster, but I'd like a program / suite that is easy to use and lets you do as much as possible with pics (and even video, I'll get there in a sec).

For example, cutting, pasting, color adjustment, size adjustment, effects, tools, filters, etc... (I don't really even know what else to add here). I know the obvious ones like Photoshop, Coral, etc, but I have never used them properly to know which one is best. I also heard recently that Photoshop (I think, or another program I thought was grapic/picture related only) can even apply filters (sharpen, color, contrast, etc...) to video, letting you improve the appearance of videos in certain ways.

I'd like comprehensive software which I can use to edit pictures eg:
Color/sharpness/etc, super-imposing sections from one to another, cutting sections out, filling sections in, blur/bend, adjust them, print, be creative, and so on. I'm happy to buy software, but only if I know it's good.
I currently have Windows Paint (Seriously, I use that sometimes to cut sections out of pictures and put on others!!), Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition and HP Image Zone (My best image software which came with my HP Photosmart 3310 MFC).

Can anyone who uses this type of software often and/or who has had experiences (good or bad) with this sort of software, please give me your ideas/experiences and suggestions.

From brief searching, the top editors choice from reviews (from sites like ZDNet and CNET) are the following:
1) Adobe Photoshop Elements 4
2) Adobe Photoshop CS
3) Corel Painter 9
4) Adobe Photoshop 7

Thoughts?

[Blairos]

Photoshop CS - its pretty complicated, but will give you awesome results, if thats what you are after

Plenty of useful help contained with it as well

[bobsmith]

depends on if you want to pay for it, and also if you want to be legit....

Photoshop CS is great but... if you want to be legit it's very expensive (I hear you can find torrents for them easy.... but of course I would know nothing about it....)

Otherwise GIMP is completely free and it's a bloody good software it will do most of the things that expensive professional software will do and it's completely free and legit. http://www.gimp.org

[Big Dave]

Photoshop V6 thru 9.
There is nothing better. Nuffink.

[boomer]

photo shop, paintshop pro

[jumma]

Photoshop 7 and up, but as bobsmith mentioned it is quite expensive for a legitimate copy.

[MrMelon]

Adobe lightroom's supposed to be really good. I think you can download a free trial too. I heard it's quite resource intensive though.

http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom/

[bungbung]

For video you'll want combustion or after effects

[SimJen]

I have used most in my job, Cad, Graphics, Web etc.
Mostly I use Paintshop Pro, I just got the latest version (X) and its now being sold by Corel.
I've used Photoshop a fair bit, but I like Paintshop Pro best, does everything photoshop does but in my opinion easier (not necessarily better).
Version X has heaps of new features for easy photo fixing too.
http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel3/Trials/Login&pid=1047025487586&cid=1047025490241

[dawnrazor]

Photoshop is the bizo, buy an adobe book with a tutorial disc and you can teach yourself everything you need to know to operate it at a decent level of usefulness, then pick the rest up as you go. Although you almost need something like iPhoto (mac only i believe).

[Street Gerbil]

If you are a lucky soul who doesn't need to deal with CMYK separation (and if it sounds meaningless gibberish you are lucky indeed), forget about adobe. Get JASC PaintShop Pro. When it comes to digital image processing in RGB colorspace, it absolutely rules. Adobe premier is probably the best for video processing (Ulead Videostudio is ok, but underpowered - kinda like a 1000cc superbike with a CVT transmission if you know what I mean :yes: ).

[far queue]

...I am looking for a complete photographic package. I'm not a super experienced photo adjuster, but I'd like a program / suite that is easy to use and lets you do as much as possible with pics ...

... I'd like comprehensive software which I can use to edit pictures eg:
Color/sharpness/etc, super-imposing sections from one to another, cutting sections out, filling sections in, blur/bend, adjust them, print, be creative, and so on ...

From brief searching, the top editors choice from reviews (from sites like ZDNet and CNET) are the following:
1) Adobe Photoshop Elements 4
2) Adobe Photoshop CS
3) Corel Painter 9
4) Adobe Photoshop 7
Cool thread, I'm going through this process at the moment too. I just do real basic stuff at the moment with ACDSee, but I pick up a new camera later this week (Fuji Finepix S9500), and will be upgrading the PC and getting some decent image editing software shortly too. I've been looking at Photoshop Elements 4 or Photoshop CS2, because I can get them both at a reasonable price. I've been thinking that maybe Elements4 may not do enough for me and CS2 may be overkill :scratch:


Photoshop V6 thru 9.
There is nothing better. Nuffink.
So ... Dave, a couple of questions
You obviously need a program with all the bells and whistles in your vocation and have built up the skills to be proficient with it, but do you think PS6-9 would be overkill for the average to above above average amatuer?

What's the difference between PS6-9 and PS CS - do you know?

I was looking at the book "Photoshop CS2 for Dummies" today, which looked OK.

StoneChucker - I hope you don't mind me jumping in and asking some questions - hopefully the answers will help you out too.

[soundbeltfarm]

i got PS7 and CS2 and they are pretty similar.
Well for the stuff i do they are.

[Big Dave]

So ... Dave, a couple of questions
You obviously need a program with all the bells and whistles in your vocation and have built up the skills to be proficient with it, but do you think PS6-9 would be overkill for the average to above above average amatuer?

What's the difference between PS6-9 and PS CS - do you know?

I was looking at the book "Photoshop CS2 for Dummies" today, which looked OK.

StoneChucker - I hope you don't mind me jumping in and asking some questions - hopefully the answers will help you out too.

I've only had CS2 for a short time but have spent the past 6 years or so on PS6.
I use it for most of my layouts as well - all of these were created in Photoshop.
http://www.davidcohen.co.nz/adrenders/index.htm

As each version has come out it's the added extras, plug ins, filters and doohickeys that give it the edge over the freebies.

That gallery for example was created with 3 clicks - same as this one
http://www.davidcohen.co.nz/pics/index.html
Put the pics in a folder and click 'automate'. It publishes the rest.

Those features and the way it handles text and typography have been the major changes for me in the upgrade.

Why I said from V6 - the pixel manipultion power hasn't changed that much in subsequent releases - but the add ons are fab.

Average amateur could become paid professional before you know it.

[far queue]

...Average amateur could become paid professional before you know it.Thanks for that Dave, some great images there. And I like the idea of that last bit too, I've done some stuff for other people in the past with the film SLR, (just pocket money stuff really) but it's time to go digital ... cheers

[jimbo600]

Mate if you buy PS full version you are wasting your moolah. That is high end software for proper graphic designer/photographer types. It would be like buying a Ferrari F40 to pop to the shops for milk and bread. I am in the business and for you PS elements would be more than adequate, at a fraction of the cost.

[jazbug5]

I use it for most of my layouts as well - all of these were created in Photoshop.
http://www.davidcohen.co.nz/adrenders/index.htm...

Just curious, Dave- doesn't that tend to do unpleasant things to the type?
If you have CS, that presumably would include InDesign- very easy to use, way more accessible for Photoshop heads than Quark anyway... but I'd be interested to know your opinion on it if you are still choosing to do layouts in Photoshop.

[Big Dave]

Just curious, Dave- doesn't that tend to do unpleasant things to the type?
If you have CS, that presumably would include InDesign- very easy to use, way more accessible for Photoshop heads than Quark anyway... but I'd be interested to know your opinion on it if you are still choosing to do layouts in Photoshop.


Save as .eps and distill a .pdf in acrobat and type remains vector. over 16/18pt rasterised type is OK if using effects too. Some fonts are a bit flakey from psd true - the ones in the Triumph ads were a pain - changed now - but generally no dramas.

Yeah - I like indesign if it's got a lot of type now - it's all drag and drop from psd.

Conversely my stuff/style generally has lots of shadows, reflections and transparency - PSD is more reliable - and up until quite recently I was on Quark for lays.

Now I go horses for courses - I'm designing a new mag for a client from scratch now and doing it in indesign - I did a single page lay 10mins ago in psd. No rules - depends on source files, images, and the brief.

[Big Dave]

Mate if you buy PS full version you are wasting your moolah. That is high end software for proper graphic designer/photographer types. It would be like buying a Ferrari F40 to pop to the shops for milk and bread. I am in the business and for you PS elements would be more than adequate, at a fraction of the cost.

Yeah - I do agree - but then as I was talking to 'the Ed' about the bike when i took the ZX14 back earlier today - he said 'you should always get the most horsepower you can afford - no telling when you'll need it'.

[Darkman]

I play around with both PS and paint shop pro..think paint shop pro is much easier to use .....but don't go buy either of these..2 much money

[Beemer]

I used the first version of Photoshop Elements for about five years but when I upgraded to a Nikon D200 and got the chance to buy Photoshop CS2 for a good price, I jumped at the chance. Right now it has far more than I need, but once I start really playing with it I'm sure it won't be a waste. But having said that, I used Elements for all my work as a photographer for years and never had any complaints. It is easy to use - I passed my copy on to a friend's son and he's only nine or 10!

One thing I have found with CS2 that I can't find any mention of in the books is regarding file naming. I take heaps of shots around our home of sunsets, plants, etc and used to name them in a date format - 1.8.6.3 = first of August 2006, shot 3, etc but if I try this in CS2 I then can't open the saved file. Instead of a thumbnail I get an icon and when I click on it I get a message saying it does not recognise the file format. So at this stage I have to call it 1aug63 etc. which is a pain. I could get around it by calling the file 0108063 but it doesn't make it easy to find a particular shot! Has anyone else come across this and is it the fullstops that create the problem?

[Pathos]

thoroughly try the gimp before spending money and not getting what you need.

http://www.gimp.org/ <- the original
http://www.gimpshop.com/ <- photoshop lookalike version (recommended)

Find if there is anything that it cannot do for you and then find a commercial software package that fits your needs.

Personally I recommend paintshop pro.

[Big Dave]

Has anyone else come across this and is it the fullstops that create the problem?

No - but the fullstops are a problem - anything after the full stop tells the os the file type.

I create an accurately named folder for each shoot on the desktop and drag the images into it off the mounted memory card - don't name images till I open them and save or delete.

[Beemer]

How weird that it didn't do that in Photoshop Elements - you'd think it would have a similar system for any software they produce. I'll have to think of a more apt way of naming them from now on!

[Smokin]

I pick up a new camera later this week (Fuji Finepix S9500)

Great wee camera mate, I've had mine since christmas and get good results. I think I would like it even more if I could just learn how to drive it properly. :wacko:

[phaedrus]

One thing I have found with CS2 that I can't find any mention of in the books is regarding file naming. I take heaps of shots around our home of sunsets, plants, etc and used to name them in a date format - 1.8.6.3 = first of August 2006, shot 3, etc but if I try this in CS2 I then can't open the saved file. Instead of a thumbnail I get an icon and when I click on it I get a message saying it does not recognise the file format. So at this stage I have to call it 1aug63 etc. which is a pain. I could get around it by calling the file 0108063 but it doesn't make it easy to find a particular shot! Has anyone else come across this and is it the fullstops that create the problem?

just make sure that after the last fullstop there the extension for the filetype eg) 1.8.6.3.jpg That should sort windows flaking out on the filetype.

personally if I want to use a date for the filename I use the format yyyymmdd (20060801) that way, due to alphabetical sorting, the files are listed in the order they were made.

lately i've taken to embedding text comments in the photos I take so i can search by what's in the photo rather than by filename.

[StoneChucker]

Wow...

All I can say is, from the discussions in here (technical jargon regarding certain functions) I don't think I need PhotoShop CS2. I want it (one of my flaws is always wanting the best, of everything and/or anything, even when it's unnecessary), but I know it will be installed, looked at once and then used once a month.

It sounds like Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 is the way to go. I just need good editing software for manipulating photos in as many ways as possible, but not professional design features. There may be a chance I can get Photoshop CS2 at a much reduced price, and if that happens then yes, maybe. Otherwise Elements 4.

Thanks alot for the good advice, as usual. I know that whatever I get (out of a couple mentioned here), I'll have all the features I'm looking for.

Dave.

[SimJen]

Paintshop Pro X is now only $79 USD. Damn cheap considering it is just about a match for the features in Photoshop CS.
Buy the US version cause its cheaper :)

[Beemer]

Being a student right now, I got CS2 for student prices - about $500 from memory. I got Elements for $150 (also student prices) years ago and at that stage Photoshop was still about $1000 for the academic price so there was a huge difference.

[sAsLEX]

There may be a chance I can get Photoshop CS2 at a much reduced price

.

cough http://www.google.co.nz/search?q=Photoshop+CS2+torrent&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official cough

[Big Dave]

Being a student right now, I got CS2 for student prices - about $500 from memory. I got Elements for $150 (also student prices) years ago and at that stage Photoshop was still about $1000 for the academic price so there was a huge difference.


I got a CS2 Studio 'bundle' with my G5
Indesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver, Go live and fireworks for just under 2 grand.
I bought a licence for 'Aldus Pagemaker' all those years ago - 15? - and it got me an upgrade price on some of the new stuff.

[far queue]

It sounds like Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 is the way to go. I just need good editing software for manipulating photos in as many ways as possible, but not professional design features. There may be a chance I can get Photoshop CS2 at a much reduced price, and if that happens then yes, maybe. Otherwise Elements 4.

I was quoted CS2 for $1799 and Elements4 for $299 the other day at a retail outlet - or there's this option ... assuming you want to go the legit way ...

PS CS2 $499 ... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Software/Other/auction-67444244.htm

PS Elements4 $119 ... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Software/Graphics-multimedia/auction-67444295.htm

[Big Dave]

[quote=far queue;730530]I was quoted CS2 for $1799

yeah - quite right - I got a system disc for my iBook too.

[far queue]

Great wee camera mate, I've had mine since christmas and get good results. I think I would like it even more if I could just learn how to drive it properly. :wacko:Yep, I picked mine up earlier this week. Very pleased with my choice, does everything I want. Still working my way through the manual and trying out the various functions, I'm not finding it too bad. I like the way the menu system works. I'm looking forward to the rally season starting, so I can get out around the country for some pics in the backblocks. Also want to get some racing shots, such as the Greymouth street racing.

Next step is to upgrade the PC and get photoshop.