Im confused on Software.

[wongpong]

I've been working with my DPP software that come with my T3i. Seams like I'm starting to understand the program but feals very limited. I am confused as what software do what. I also did couple google search as of what I should be looking for but doesn't sounds clear to me.

I am basically looking for a software for photo composition. like incorporating 2 or 3 picture together for better contrast(when using bracketing). or adding pictures side to side to make nice landscape picture. I'm very new at this, so before committing my $$ or time into one. I wanted to have some feedback from more experience photographers. I do have a MAC but I doesn't mean I will go with Apple software. Just looking for a user friendly software to start learning.

-if someone have good reviews on software books that would help too.


Thank you
&
Happy new Year!!

[wongpong]

I did more research on the type of programs out there. I guess I'm looking for a software that does Multi photo layering (HDR) pictures. I think my best option would be Photoshop CS5 but it's $650. Way too expensive for my beginner skills. I also read about Photophop Element 10. Some reviews says that the leyer features only allow you to overlap 2 picture.

Is Photoshop element sufficient?

Does Photomatix does multiple image layering?

Does Corel Paint shop pro X4 has a multi photo feature?


is there other software i should be considering?

Please help! Any feed back is good!...

My price range is about 250$

[Doug Sundseth]

Elements 10 will probably do what you need.

There's a 30-day free trial available through this link:

Adobe - Downloads

[ceremus]

The GIMP is also available on OSX: GIMP on OS X
It doesn't have all of the features as a full blow copy of PS CS5, but it offers quite a lot of usable functions for image post processing considering it's a free app.