Bramble Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Hello! Title says it all really, I'm looking in to getting some photo editing software and wondered if the Omlet Consumer Panel could give any recommendations on what to get (or even what not to get). There seems to be a huge range of prices and software available and I don't really know where to start Thank you very much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbier Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 It depends on what you want to do with it? I've used Adobe Photoshop, which is very powerful, has great support, but isn't cheap. Photoshop Elements is an alternative, affordable product which I'd certainly recommend, according to your precise requirements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I used to use Photoshop, but lost it when my old PC went bang. Now I use either Irfanview (simple stuff) or Photofiltre (more involved editing) both of which are free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I would love photoshop, but it is too expensive. I got photoscape off http://download.cnet.com/PhotoScape/3000-2192_4-10703122.html?tag=mncol;1, its not brilliant but it is free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I am currently getting my head around a free programme called GIMP which came highly recommended. I don't know if the link is to the free download but you will find it via Google if not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 As Chucky Mama pointed out, Gimp is open source software. It's hugely powerful - every bit as much as Photoshop - but, like all powerful software, requires a bit of learning to understand the concepts behind what you're trying to achieve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 (edited) Yep I echo what has been said above. GIMP is free to download and it's very good. Most of the time, however I use Adobe Photoshop Elements. (I think version 8.0 but I can't quite remember) It came with my tablet, and to be honest I wouldn't have bought it otherwise as it's about £70. Other software that I own/ recommend are Corel and Jasc Paint Shop Pro Most programs have a tree trial that you can download online. They're worth downloading before you buy the full software. Just to add, I'm really creeped out by this thread because last night I had a dream that someone posted a tread about this . Edited April 26, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Just to add, I'm really creeped out by this thread because last night I had a dream that someone posted a tread about this . Didn't you have a dream about the forum the other day?! haha I'm guilty too I have CS3 and CS5, but prefer Photoshop CS3. It's simpler and has helped me huge amounts with photography at school Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Didn't you have a dream about the forum the other day?! haha I'm guilty too Yeah I did I think I've had about 4 now! In the first one Egluntyne was swearing at me , in the second one there were loads of links in Chucky Mama's signature, and when I clicked on them it took me to a YouTube video that was a slideshow of drawings that CM's son (does CM even have a son! ) had done of a blue cat , in the third one I was made into a moderator by a member called 'Cottage Cheese' then Ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody Here told me off because I posted an image without resizing it, but I was really upset because ANH had made a mistake, and it wasn't even me who had posted the image, and in the 4th one someone made this thread. I don't know Anyway, back on topic, I just looked on the website and saw that Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 has 20% off until 17th May Also, I was wondering what sort of photo manipulation you are going to be doing. Will it be for quick touch-ups like red-eye removal etc or will it be for fancier things? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted April 27, 2011 Author Share Posted April 27, 2011 Thanks for the tips everyone! LCL - what i'd really like to do is a bit of airbrushing ... will have a look at Gimp and Photoshop and see which gives the best options! Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Photoshop would def be best for that - The Boy does some retouching as part of his job and swears by it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Didn't you have a dream about the forum the other day?! haha I'm guilty too Yeah I did I think I've had about 4 now! In the first one Egluntyne was swearing at me , in the second one there were loads of links in Chucky Mama's signature, and when I clicked on them it took me to a YouTube video that was a slideshow of drawings that CM's son (does CM even have a son! ) had done of a blue cat , in the third one I was made into a moderator by a member called 'Cottage Cheese' then Ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody Here told me off because I posted an image without resizing it, but I was really upset because ANH had made a mistake, and it wasn't even me who had posted the image, and in the 4th one someone made this thread. I don't know Too much Omlet foruming for you I do have a 2 sons though (and a DD) ..Cottage Cheese is a good name Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Too much Omlet foruming for you I do have a 2 sons though (and a DD) ..Cottage Cheese is a good name Well, have either of them ever drawn pictures of a blue/ grey stripy cat and then uploaded it to YouTube? Cottage Cheese was like Mrs Frugal It was her who had written all of the help topics. Her avatar had little white flowers on it Sorry for hijacking, Bramble . I'll stop now. LCL - what i'd really like to do is a bit of airbrushing Yep as Claret said, Photoshop will be best for that You've got all the tools there to do airbrushing. The tool that I use most is called the Healing Brush (or at least I think that's what it's called I can't really remember. I just know that the logo for it is a plaster) and you use it so get rid of blemishes/ spots etc (Or bigger things! The other day I was messing around with my brother and we got rid of his eyes ). I can't remember off the top of my head if GIMP has the healing brush, but I know that all versions of Photoshop Elements will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Too much Omlet foruming for you I do have a 2 sons though (and a DD) ..Cottage Cheese is a good name Well, have either of them ever drawn pictures of a blue/ grey stripy cat and then uploaded it to YouTube? Very random haha, reading your dream did make me laugh Do you think it actually means anything? I want to buy a dream interpretation book, I have so many weird dreams!! Sorry, should start a dream thread! Whatever you decide on, if you're a beginner to photo editing there are plenty of tutorials on youtube that are really helpful and really go through everything, step-by-step . Let us know what you choose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 LCL, your dream suggests that you are on this forum too much! Go outside and get some fresh air or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissinuk Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 If you will be mainly editing photos and Photoshop is out of budget (lets face it it's out of most peoples) then Photoshop Elements is the way to go (<£100). There is a free trial of Photoshop Elements available. Always worth trying the freebies first though, including Paint.net - http://www.getpaint.net/ Finally, always have a look at the offers at Software4Students first, especially if you have kids, you may be able to get the full photoshop "cheap" http://www.software4students.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 Please be aware though that if you're buying from software4students, that it MUST be used only for educational purposes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissinuk Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 Please be aware though that if you're buying from software4students, that it MUST be used only for educational purposes. Not quite true you MUST obey the agreements and be either a student, teacher or parent to buy and use the license, but you don't HAVE to use for educational purposes! The Adobe licences are stricter than Microsoft but there is nothing in either agreements to say you can only use for educational purposes. How would that possibly work with the likes of an operating system? I have Windows 7 from S4S and I am using it perfectly legally, my daughter uses it often for school, but I also use it day to day. Sadly, as a technical architect I have a lot of experience (and lots of headaches) over licensing software. More info here: http://www.software4students.co.uk/FAQ.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 Thanks for clarifying that, I was obviously misinformed by software4students when i bought our product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
