Choosing a post processing program

[PS*]

I feel like I am comfortable enough with my photography now that I can add another component to the mix. I want to start exploring processing my photos to some degree. I have resisted until this point. Which is best for a beginger with room to grow? Lightroom, Photoshop Elements, Aperture 3? I mostly prefer a clean bright exposure, so I don't see myself spending a huge amount of time processing.
That said, I am really intimidated.

[oldwolf]

are you shooting RAW? if you're shooting canon then there's a program for RAW processing that came with it on the CD that's called Digital Photo Professional. it's a real basic program though.

with that being said, if you want something with more power then i'd suggest lightroom 2 for processing RAW files.

if you want to do more processing after that then i'd suggest GIMP (free), or Paint Shop Pro (under $100). both do just about everythig Photoshop does. if you can get a student discount or something then i'd just save up for Photoshop.

[SusanH1970]

Another option that is less than $100 is Photoshop Elements. The latest version is Elements 8. I do believe it comes with ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) which is a great RAW editor/converter. I have Elements 7 with ACR, as well as CS2 - but because my camera is a newer model, the version of ACR that came with CS2 is not compatible with my camera and Adobe stopped making updates. So, I open my RAW files in Elements 7, tweak as needed in ACR, save as a .dng, then open it up on CS2 for the final tweaks (I can do things in CS2 that I can't in Elements, like running certain actions that I have that won't work within Elements).

Anyway, I'm rambling. If you go to the Adobe website, you can download a trial version of Elements 8 (as well as the trial versions of the current release of Lightroom and CS5). If you decide on Elements (and you're in the USA), Costco has it for $15.00 less than Adobe sells it for.

[PS*]

Oldwolf,
I have GIMP downloaded to my mac, and fully admit to downloading it without much consideration. I picked up a few second hand books to help me navigate the program but haven't come across much specifically for macs, do you happen to know of any?

Susan,
I was thinking of Elements too. I guess my concern is learning the program. I was thinking I could take a class at the local community college for Elements, as I do better with "seeing" as opposed to straight reading.

[CheaperKings]

If you want the cheap'n'easy way; Get Elements, google "elements tutorials", learn...

[Saralonde]

These may help:
Gimp tutorials
Elements Technique

I found Gimp confusing when I first started using editing software. I've tried them all:
Paint Shop Pro - does a little more than Elements and very user friendly, but not as much info found in web tutorials
Elements - basic, good for changes that aren't too elaborate
Lightroom - another fairly basic program, but geared toward photographers
Photoshop - expensive, but very comprehensive. I love it, but only use a fraction of what it can do.

[teaking]

GIMPs downfall is that at the moment it is only 8bits, now GEGL is implemented I believe they will be looking at 16bit support and better floating point calculations to minimise the effect of editing such as curves on the histogram.

Apart from that it has all the main tools photoshop has and most tutorials on photoshop can be followed in GIMP. The only difference is its tools may be under a different file menus but its fully documented at the official GIMP website. And there are lots of tutorials and threads on flickr on how to use GIMP or mimic photoshop effects. It is a powerfull imagae manipulation program and will do most of the things you want so if you are looking for advanced photo editing at zero cost I would consider it. Otherwise if you have the money conside photoshop elements but bear in mind it isnt as fully featured. It depends on your editing style though that may be all you want or need.

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by PS*

Oldwolf,
I have GIMP downloaded to my mac, and fully admit to downloading it without much consideration. I picked up a few second hand books to help me navigate the program but haven't come across much specifically for macs, do you happen to know of any?

Here are the two books for GIMP that I would recommend. I have the first one.

Amazon.com: Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional, Second Edition (0978143021070): Akkana Peck: Books

Amazon.com: Gimp 2 for Photographers: Image Editing with Open Source Software (9781933952031): Klaus Goelker: Books

[dharmit]

If you want something quick and easy, try Picasa (for Mac, Windows, and Linux). It is a good viewer for photos, and I bet it is faster the view your photos. It can see RAW photos as well so check if your camera is supported or not.

It has some editing abilities and also tagging, face recognition and geo-tagging.

Give it a try and see if you like it.

For heavy editing, I would recommend GIMP (free)

Have Fun.

[Aperture Nine]

If you have a Nikon, consider Capture NX, it works with Macs too.

Adobe Lightroom copied the kind of controls used in the program where you can easily edit part of the image, I think it is called U-points. The program is not lightning fast but fairly priced and output is excellent.

There is a 60-day trial version available.