editting software - which one?

[CiCiMomof4]

I've been researching editting software. The choices are endless. If you could only use 1, which one would it be?

I really need someone to help me narrow the choices.

I am a beginning photographer. I use a Canon Rebel XSI. I have medium strength computer skills. I do not get paid for photography, although I'd like to move in that direction. Currently I've been using an HP program that came with my printer or free photo sharing sites that allow editing.

[SusanH1970]

Well, if I had my choice and $$ was not a problem, I'd go with the new Adobe Photoshop CS5.

If you're just using it for family photos and such, you'll probably be more than happy with Photoshop Elements 8 (the "lite" version of Photoshop - this is the latest release of Elements). It's under $100 and does almost everything the CS versions do. If you find you outgrow it, you can always upgrade.

[CaptainNH]

personally, I use Aperture3 (Mac only) and Photoshop (CS3 at the moment, but will be going to CS5 soon).

If you're only starting out and want to avoid spending significant amounts on software that you'll probably only use 10% of, I can highly recommend GIMP. It's free

[CiCiMomof4]

thanks! I'll check those out!

anyone else care to share?

[BCampbell]

GIMP, with Microsoft RAW viewer for previewing and UFRaw for processing RAW files.

[mattdm]

Originally Posted by BCampbell

GIMP, with Microsoft RAW viewer for previewing and UFRaw for processing RAW files.

I suggest Rawtherapee instead of UFRaw. Also open source, but more polished UI.

RawTherapee 3.0 alpha 1 and license changes

[natek313]

If you don't want to spend money, I would go with GIMP (freeware). I currently use Photoshop CS3 and love it.

[BCampbell]

Originally Posted by mattdm

I suggest Rawtherapee instead of UFRaw. Also open source, but more polished UI.

I've been meaning to look into it, of course since I've been using UFRaw for a while I'm familiar with it and that's always a big plus. I'll probably wait until GIMP can support true 16-bit editing to give it a look.

[ccoop321]

I purchased PaintShop Photo Pro X3 for Half price at BestBuy about 2 weeks ago. I am only a beginner but it was reviewed as one of the top 5 in a couple reviews I read recently.

[donniecs]

GIMP is an excellent freeware program
Corel PaintShop Pro X3 is an option but I'm not familiar with it. $89.99 USD
Adobe PhotoShop Elements 8 is an excellent program for novice and intermediate users, it is an editor as well as photo management tool. $69.99 USD (with rebates)
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2, is an excellent tool that many intermediate to advance level users use. It's basically Photoshop Elements meets Photoshop. It hads a lot of the tools that Photoshop has but also has built in photo management. A lot of people use this program in conjunction with Photoshop. $299.99 USD
Adobe Photoshop CS5, the end all, be all of photo editing for most people. $999.99 USD (if you can wangle a student discount it is significantly cheaper)

If you're a Mac user Apple's Aperture 3 is an option also. It falls in between Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 and Lightroom 2, price wise and feature wise is very similiar to Adobe Lightroom 2. $199.99 USD

Most of these programs offer 30 days trails, so I'd recommend downloading a few and trying them out. Between trying the demos and your budget, the choice will probably be fairly obvious.