help which photo editing software?

[__TJ__]

hi, ive been on Paint shop pro 9 for about 6 years and i know how to drive it as it were, but something has gone hinky with my pc and i need a new photo editing software to play with.

can anyone reccomend one and where to get it. i am reasonably savvy with functionality but need clone/blur/black and white and brushes options. thanks.

[yizzard]

I couldnt live without photoshop, I think i'd get a new laptop before going for new software. But if its just a bit of smartening up of photos I do sometimes do a quick pass in Picasa

[sheilaj]

sorry I am not sure why changing software will sort the computer problem?

[MaryAnne]

DH is always banging on about The Gimp. It's free and has all the functionality of full photoshop. You might consider it.

[Jampot]

Personally I couldn't manage without Photoshop Elements. I use version 7 (they are on 9 now), and can do most things in it. I also digiscrap with it, and have been able to do all the things you want with ease.

[Nabview]

GIMP is great - it has much of what you'd expect from Photoshop - and it's free to download!

[__TJ__]

Hate gimp cos it's all fragmented! There's different panes for everything and no cohesion, jack thinks it's awesOme but I just can't get on with it.

Changing software will help because psp9 is not compatible with vista, but has been working with reduced functionality for a while, new windows update has nixed that so I either change operating system, get a newer v of psp if they have gotten over their tiff with windows and made a compatible version, or learn completely new software.

I hate change lol. Thanks all for the suggestions. At the mo I have to pit photos on to sd card edit them on my lappy then put them back on the card to take to the printer/desktop pc cos I don't have wifi on my printer! Faff! Especially given the hideously limited time I get to scrap at the moment!

[Jampot]

If you go to the Adobe site, you can download a fully functional 30 trial of Photoshop Elements to play with and see if you like it. Might be worth a try.

[yizzard]

TJ is your printer usb then? If so why not just take the printer wire off the desktop and plug it into the lappie when you want to print the photos? You used to be able to get a switch/splitter (kind of two way switch that directed which computer the printer went to) but not sure if they still do those as it was way back in the days of my BBC Master, but it might be worth a seach.

In reality the best of the best of the best software for photo and graphic manipulation has got to be some version of photoshop - after all its what the film industry use for all their graphics. Did you know all the star trek and Babylon 5 stuff was rendered in photoshop? So for something long term I suggest you get photoshop. Elements is not too dear, but go for the best version you can affort.

Another reason for going for photoshop is that there is sooooooo much free stuff out there which is fantastic for scrapbooking, expecially actions for enhancing photos and brushes for adding that wow! factor to your photos.

As I said, I would buy a whole new laptop rather than go without my photoshop, I rate it that much!!!

[sheilaj]

I used to rate psp like that till I got a Mac. I can't afford full photoshop and keep coming up against stuff that PSP does that pse can't (layout printing, individual drop shadow editing to name but 2)

[sharen mk11]

Another vote for photoshop elements - I'm on version 9 and have upgraded each time there's a new one. Can's be without it.

[__TJ__]

If you go to the Adobe site, you can download a fully functional 30 trial of Photoshop Elements to play with and see if you like it. Might be worth a try.

Thanks ladies I'll try that, trial is great cos I can play with it at leisure.

[fruitysuet]

I use an old version of PSE (v5) and moved to this from Paint Shop Pro which I couldn't figure out at all lol! There are loads of free tutorials available, try Jessica Sprague and Two Peas in a Bucket.

[Pink Daisy]

I'm a bit of a computer cabbage, is there anything that is really easy to use (sorry ladies, I don't find photoshop easy)

Where do you download this Gimp from, if it's any easier ???

Thanks.

[raevynsong]

Gimp is basically the Open Source version of Photoshop and therefore not that much different to use. Have you tried picnik? It's an extension of google's Picasa programme and I find it quite useful for quick jobs or when I'm on a computer that doesn't have PS.

It's here http://www.picnik.com/app but it's an online app.