Photo Editing Software

I've been using Photoshop 7 for several years now. I've tried a lot of other image manipulation programs, especially free open source ones, and PaintShopPro and all that, but I keep coming back to Photoshop.

 

I use Photoshop 7.0 for a few years now also, CS3 is nice, but it lags a lot on my computer and I really don't need all those bells and whistles when all I do is edit pictures and draw/color in the program~

 

On Windows, I use Paint Shop Pro 7.2 for editing - I think it's much more self-explanatory than Adobe, and I've used it for about twice as long. I mostly use Adobe Photoshop CS3, though, since I'm usually working from a Mac, and it's much more capable, I think. Not only is it a lot more comprehensive with layering (layer groups, layer effects, etc...), it exports images at a much higher quality.

 

I'm learning to use Photoshop cs3. Wow what a difference compared to my old programme. Had to buy a visual guide to help me. So far so good.

 

Arcsoft photo Studio I got it when I bought my canon and photoshop CS3. Personally, I think Arcsoft is easier but does not have many fancy function like photoshop T_T of course !!

 

I use Photoshop CS2 and just recently discovered the great functionality of ACTIONS!
It condenses tedious processes such as scaling, adding borders, adding signatures on pictures into a click of a button.

 

Paint Shop Pro 8 I've always used paint shop pro and I'm really comfortable with using it. ^^

 

I used photoshop CS2 but only to give my photos borders.. Dx
but my Photoshop failed on me, and I really don't feel like buying it again. And I can't illegally download it. xD

 

Photoshop CS3 thus far.

 

What are the main differences between the CS versions? I have CS1 and have never bothered to upgrade it, and it's done the job fine for me.

 

I'm using Serif Photoplus 6.0. I like it, it's very easy in use.

 

Mostly Photoshop CS here. I like all the options I have with PS

 

Photoshop CS ^___^
I have CS3 but, I prefer to use the CS version >w<

 

Photoshop 7.0 and I love it! :3

 

I use photoshop CS.

But I've heard there's a free program named Gimp that works just as well, with similar features.

 

I have Adobe Elements and Paint Shop Pro. I much prefer the latter, although I use Elements sometimes when I can do something an easier way there.

(Mind you, they are both a couple of versions old now; Newer versions may be different.)

 

I'm useing Adobe Photoshop.
I don't know how to use other image editor.

 

I'm using Adobe Photoshop 7.0 - older version but it works wonders for what I need it to do!

 

I use Photoshop 7, as well as the full version of Adobe Creative Suite 3.
I also have the Nikon Color Efex Pro 2.0 GE plug-in for Photoshop. It came with my DSLR and it works wonders with basic adjustments.
And I also use a variety of Nikon and Canon photo software. Whatever I need for a project :3

 

Looking for recomendations, here. I've been drooling over the pics in the gallery for some time now, and now that I have my own doll, I'm frustrated that my pics do not turn out as well as the others in the gallery. How do you guys do it? What do you use?

I own a 6 megapixel digital camera, a HP I think, that's a pretty decent camera for starts, right? Or do I need something better?

I have a computer with Windows Vista (alias: Windows Crapsta), so I need a program that is compatible with it. I don't want to spend too much, but I'm willing to go as high as $150. $200 is pushing it.

Suggestions?

 

Ahhh, vista. It still beats out ME in my opinion.
Anyways... I have a Kodak 6.1 megapixel camera and it works pretty well, however, the conditions have to be right. >.> <.< Some of my photos are stunning, others are so-so.
I can't recommend an up-to-date photo editing software, since I still use PSP8, however, before you go out to buy expensive new software, you may want to check out the free stuff!
There's a program called GIMP that you can download here . My experience with it is that it can be a pain in the butt, but for the most part it can do everything the more expensive programs can do, with a bit more work.

Hope that helps a little ^__^

 

I use Photoshop CS2... Luckily I didn't have to pay for it as my Dad is a software designer, but it can be expensive x_x

Paint shop Pro is fairly good, and not as expensive as PS.

Camera wise, mine is a Samsung 10mp. I'm looking to get a DSLR though ^^; I'm probably going to spend over $1000 on it too x_x! The things I do for photography XD

 

If your willing to pay then Photoshop would be the way to go as said before Paintshop pro is good as well and cheaper, if you want to go the most cost effective route and still get a good program GNU's the GIMP is very nice free, no strings attached! I use both Photoshop and GIMP and they are very close in comparison.So if you are starting and would like a program to test on GIMP is great, and it works for Vista, my brother has it on his computer and loves it as well.

the GIMP website

GIMPtalk, for tutorials and advice

overall its your choice, good luck!

 

I use a Sony Cyber shot camera but my best friend in the world is Photoshop and a crap load of tutorials I got from Deviant Art.

Truthfully, most of the beautiful pictures you see in the Gallery have been edited either a little or a lot by some means or another. Hence Photoshop will probably be your savior.
If you want more then that though, I just stumbled across a new photo software program over here. It's like photoshop but I think more specifically for just pictures. Not a bad price either at 100$

 

Paint Shop Pro can be used for things other than photos. It has some nice filter options but I find the interface a bit more confusing than that of photoshop, although hat may just be because i took an actual Photoshop course and didn't take on for PSP. I use Paintshop Pro for Mostly Vector work, and while i will use it every once and a while for a specific effect, I also don't like the brush options in PSP near as much but then again it may just be me. basically here is the rundown of what i do

the GIMP (most used): Photography, Signature, avatars, icons, etc.

Photoshop: Phtography, photo manipulation (collage work)

Paint Shop Pro: Vectors, Specific Effects/Filters

 

With PSP they have a nasty habit of changin the user interface with each major version. For that reason I've stuck to PSP7, which can be found very cheap off ebay.

As another free alternative like GIMP, which I haven't used much myself, there's Paint.NET.

 

I'm not a photographer really, but I've worked quie a bit with foto manipulation so figured I could have a say anyway. Photoshop is a really nice program, but it's expensive. I've tried a trial of psp, and god did I hate it (I'm sure some people love it, but I just couldn't get along with it). Gimp I downloaded for my little sister who doesn't have the money for photoshop, and it seems to be able to do just about everything. A few things though, the layout can be quite tricky, there's lots of different windows, it's not as intuitive as photoshop in my opinion, it's a bit harder to manipulate. But for a beginner (which it sounds like you are?) I'd say that if you have the time to learn, gimp can definitly do what you need without costing a fortune (or anything at all for that matter).

 

Get your sister GimpShop, it makes Gimp look and run just like photoshop

 

For less than your budget you can go with the Industry Gold Standard - Photoshop! Photoshop Elements is a great program for the beginning photography software editer. It is FOR photography rather than graphics and its Quick Fix edit program does the majority of the work for you with a click! Cropping, colour correction, sharpening - it's all a single click away! Then it offers a great compression "save for web" click!

One dollar less than a hundred spot and you, too, shall be editing your photos like a pro!

And if you have questions - post an image in this subforum and ask for help!

Good luck!

 

I personally use Photoshop Elements 5.0. Got it with my tablet and it's wonderful. I'd really like it to have paths, though, but I've learned to live without as I'd only need them for my CGs. I edit photos and do grapics there and everything works just wonderful. I used to use Gimp but that fussing around with many windows was troubleing. Elements is great enough for me

 

Hmm, well, editing is great and all, but it can't fix a crappy shot for you. You have to learn to take good pictures, without photoshop and the likes. To fix the contrast, whitebalance and so on, get GIMP. It's for free and with the GIMPShop Version, it'l look and feel almost like Photoshop (so you can use photoshop Tutorials to a certain extend.)

Just my 2 cents

 

Yes. However, part of the digital photography revolution is the post-capture work that NEEDS to be done. Sizing, both cropping and web-sizing, colour correction and sharpening. All of these things should be done for optimum results and viewing, so anyone beginning to dip a toe into the digital photography waters should commit to the post-capture software as well as the camera. It would be like buying a doll head and trying to pose it without a body.

 

You're right, of course. And I didn't mean, that post-capture processing is unnecessary, because, quite frankly, it is most of the time (I can see this on a daily basis in my job). What I meant was, that one shouldn't assume, that all the great and lovely shots in the Gallery are all due to software editing. All the wonderfull photographers out there take good shots and the post processing is just that little bit extra ^^.

 

Thanks for clarifying! And you're totally right. I absolutely believe that we need to work on getting the greatest possible shot we can get IN CAMERA by way of lighting, background, pose and then working on that IN SOFTWARE! The stronger the initial image is the better the post-capture image will be!

 

Thank you everyone for the wonderful advice. It seems everyone is on the same or close to the same page. Now its just a toss up between GIMP, Photoshop, and Paint Shop Pro. I think first I'll try GIMP, and if necessary, I'll get Photoshop. I took a computer art class some years ago, and we learned on Photoshop, so I have some favortism toward it. Its nice to hear everyone echoing my first instinct; it means I was thinking along the right path.

That was a good idea, posting a problem picture and asking advice. I took this picture as soon as my doll arrived this week, to show all the wonderful extra goodies the Junky Spot sent with him. On the little LCD screen, it looked wonderful, but on my computer, it looked grainy and pixilated. So I reduced the size using some kind of Microsoft editing software that came on the computer, and the result? Smaller, more dense pixils. I'm shooting with a HP Photosmart M547 with 6.2 megapixels, and 6.2 should be a decent size, right?

I read a thread with a person having the same problem as me, and it was suggested she change the IOS or ISO (?) to a smaller number, and it worked for that person. Unfortunitly, my stupid camera doesn't have that option I looked everywhere for it, even read the help and tips section, looking for anything that resembled ISO. The only thing I found was different settings, i.e. Close-up, Portrait, Landscape, Night Portrait... any suggestions?

 

Ok, I just read up on your camera. It seems you're right, no way to adjust the ISO setting, BUT it seems to be a general consensus, that your camera produces clearer images at the 4megapixel setting. This cam seems to be not that great in low light situations, so you need LIGHTLIGHTLIGHT. Best thing is to shoot in daylight (which is ALWAYS the best lightingcondition anyway), if thats not possible, maybe you want to invest your budget in a set of lamps, don't have to be fancy photolamps, just search this subforum for lamps, and you'll get a few suggestions. Then, if you shoot in bad lighting conditions, try steadying your camera somehow. A tripod would be the best way, but propping it on a small box or something helps reduce camerashake.

Try to avoid cluttered background, (for some of my shoots I just use a piece of fabric, tack it to a wall and voila, instant background), get close to your doll (sometimes this means lying flat on your stomach on the floor) and most importantly: learn what your boy "likes" and "dislikes" ... just get to know him, which angle looks good, which poses he can do ... things like that

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your advice. I'll definately put it to use. I did notice last night, I experimented with background, and found the best rests were when he sat in a dinner chair with a burgandy pillow case pulled over the back of the chair. It didn't make for very interesting photos, but it did help with this whole wash out thing I kept getting. Now, I just need to find a good fabric to put behind him. And thank you for having such patience with a noob like me. I am forever in your debt.

 

Uhm, you're welcome ^^. I'm always glad to help. If there ist anything, just PM me

 

Photoshop Elements runs about $100 and is pretty good. So is PhotoImpact by Ulead, which is my personal favorite. I don't know what they're up to (street price usually around $100), but you can find older versions on ebay, too, and I love the program.

 

I'll back up the Paint.net suggestion. It's free and IMHO it plays nicer with Windows Vista than GIMP does.

Do you know the model number of your camera? I ask because I searched for a 6MP HP and just about every camera I found lists ISO Auto, 50, 100, 200, and 400. I'm wondering if the ISO settings are just really well hidden on your camera.

 

I would try Adobe photoshop elements it works with vista and you can download a free 30- day trial off of the adobe website i dont know if they sell the vista version in stores but you can buy it off the adobe website I have 5.0 the Newist is 6.0 and it runs about 140 - 150 dollars

 

I would say GIMP, free prog and it has everything you need for proper photo edeting.
(tho i hate hate hate the layout but i have a luxury of photoshop)

What i would rater advice you..
is a new cam... o---o"

Ive been helping people out with cams on the dutch forum, and HP is and awful brand for doll
photography... 90% of their cams don't have a proper macro.. or not one at all.
And i know yours doesn't have one at all.
-->http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/camera/specification/1601/show.html

You are better off spending your money on a Canon:
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/camera/specification/1803/show.html
-
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/camera/specification/1460/show.html

You can customize ISO, WB and it has 1 cm super macro and will increase the quality of your
photo's allot.
The canon 470/460 are the cheapest out there and they are really good for that price.

 

We're lucky enough to have Photoshop CS3.

In the past we used the Microsoft Digital Image Suite, which can be scraped off some bargain bins for $30 ish, and isn't bad.

Photoshop (and Elements) are da bomb, if you can afford them...

 

If you're a student, try your college's bookstore. You can get Photoshop for about 200, which, when compared to 699, can really save you some money. XD

 

CS4, Corel Pro, Lightroom, GIMP.
))) that's all i think

 

adobe photoshop CS3 and adobe lightroom 2.5

 

GIMP all the way! I used PSP in the past, but it wasn't as easy to work with as GIMP is and GIMP is free, so that's my favourite thing lol

 

I like to use photoshop CS2 or SAI

 

Usually I use Photoshop CS4 and a Wacom tablet, which makes it easier to control the mouse, especially if you're recoloring things in or want to blur certain parts.

/Edit: Just changed from an Intuos 3 to Intuos 4, both large size.

 

GIMP and Photoscape.

 

Viewer: Picasa
RAW Processor: Digital Photo Professional (Canon proprietary)
Everything else: Photoshop Elements

My shots are not usually "artistic" (as in the heavily 'Shopped variety) and I haven't really learned Elements yet so I rarely use it. I briefly tried GIMP, but its relatively poor documentation really killed it for me.

I used to use Irfanview as my viewer and I loved it for being so small and fast. But it doesn't handle Unicode file and directory names very well so I had to drop it.

 

I prefer Lightroom personally, and then tweeking in PS after.

 

Paint Shop Pro 8 and my A4 Intuos 3 Wacom tablet, both of which I ADORE AND COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT XD
I used to have photoshop CS4, but it was just stupidly over-engineered and difficult to use, plus it took all the skill and fun and "artistic integrity" out of digital art for me (which is predominantly what I do, rather than image editing). So I'm very happy with the stuff I have, it's never let me down

 

I have Photoshop 7.0 =)

 

ok...i'm cheap (-.-)''''...my friend gave me a name: Gimp ...it's free (^_^)'''...
yet, i love it...she's a seller in etsy, a cute-image digital seller. I use Genius tablet...i hate the pen...it's not comfortable to grip

 

PS CS4/CS3/CS and *cringe* elements. It depends what computer I'm using and whether it can handle running big programs. I also use Illustrator, but only for adding little bits like logos etc.

 

As I organise and resize all the images I take in iPhoto, I also use that for basic editing — cropping, straightening, minor level tweaking, that sort of thing.

For anything more advanced, I have Photoshop CS.

I also have access to Nikon Capture NX, but I've still to try it out. I don't know if it would add anything to the above. The day I start using RAW in earnest I'll have to check it out, though.

 

Nothing fancy shmancy, I use - Gimp! XD
I should switch to Photoshop one of these days, but at the moment, I'm pretty happy with this free image editing software, it helps a lot in doing those simple, basic improvements on my pictures.
And I do have Irfanview as well!

 

I use Photoshop CS 2 and Illustrator. I also have Wacom tablet, but I haven't gotten that good with using it yet.

 

photoshop cs3