What’s Your Preference?

ksouza · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 02:09 PM

Hi All-
I'm new to DPS and photography in general. I would like to buy an editing program to use and get used to, and am looking for reccomendations. I have some time off in August so I'd like to buy it now and spend some time learning it while i'm off of work. In the future I can invest in better software if need be.

Main reasons I'll be using it is to edit personal photos, I'm not doing anything professional or over the top. I take mainly portraits and landscapes. Ocassionally I'll go out on a limb and take more 'creative' shots so some beginninger level layering and other fun effects might be good too.

I'm not sure if this is applicable, but if I can get this all in one with a software: there is going to be a wedding in my future and I'd love to DIY some things for it (save the dates, maybe even invitations, escort cards, etc) with pictures of us. That's not a necessity though, if programs dont usually have those capabilities.

Any suggestions welcome!

z0mbina80 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 02:16 PM

You can try GIMP if you want to get your feet wet in the basics. I believe... ( don't quote me though LOL ) that it is free. It has a lot of the basics that most of the other programs have and for the price I've had a lot of friends say it is a good learning tool before committing to anything more expensive. I personally found it a little confusing but really it doesn't take much to confuse me lately haha. I love photoshop I use it frequently... still a novice of course as I'm teaching myself but it is so powerful IMO that learning is part of the fun because Im always learning something new by messing up something else I was trying to do lol.

ksouza · #3 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z0mbina80

You can try GIMP if you want to get your feet wet in the basics. I believe... ( don't quote me though LOL ) that it is free. It has a lot of the basics that most of the other programs have and for the price I've had a lot of friends say it is a good learning tool before committing to anything more expensive. I personally found it a little confusing but really it doesn't take much to confuse me lately haha. I love photoshop I use it frequently... still a novice of course as I'm teaching myself but it is so powerful IMO that learning is part of the fun because Im always learning something new by messing up something else I was trying to do lol.

Thanks for your reply!
I've played aruond with GIMP but i find it very confusing, and most of the video tutorials are more geared towards creating web design pieces instead of editing photos. I figure if i'm going ot invest a ton of time learning somthing it might as well be something I'll use for a whiel. Is there a version of photoshop you recommend over another (or just go for the newest...)?

z0mbina80 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 02:22 PM

I've used a few versions of it but I have to say the newest is awesome. It seems much more organized and streamlined than older versions IMO

SusanH1970 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 02:46 PM

I tried Gimp as well a while back and also found it confusing, LOL.

Two inexpensive editing programs are Photoshop Elements 8 and Paint Shop Pro, both are less than $100. If you go to the Adobe website, you can download a trial version of Elements 8. If you like it, then you can buy it later. I use Elements 7 and CS2 - I got my copy of Elements from Costco and it was only $70 as opposed to buying it directly from Adobe, which was $100.

RLucas · #6 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 05:49 PM

I use GIMP, and I absolutely love it! As far as RAW processing goes, I did switch to LR3,because I was having some major color problems, and the noise reduction is sooo much better!

I will hold on to GIMP for a while, as I have gotten really comfortable with it. The only problem with it is there are no adjustment layers. I have learned to do each step of editing on a different layer as not to worry about it too much.

ksouza · #7 (**permalink**) 08-05-2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLucas

I use GIMP, and I absolutely love it! As far as RAW processing goes, I did switch to LR3,because I was having some major color problems, and the noise reduction is sooo much better!

I will hold on to GIMP for a while, as I have gotten really comfortable with it. The only problem with it is there are no adjustment layers. I have learned to do each step of editing on a different layer as not to worry about it too much.

how did you get familiar with the program- trial and error or did you use other resources. Any tutorials you reccomend?

RLucas · #8 (**permalink**) 08-05-2010, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksouza

how did you get familiar with the program- trial and error or did you use other resources. Any tutorials you reccomend?

On Youtube. There is Gimp Tutorials. That kid is great! There is Meet the Gimp. It's a podcast site that is pretty good. I have used a lot of trial and error, but when you learn the difference in terminology from Photoshop, which isn't much, you can pretty much apply those tuts to the Gimp as well.

teaking · #9 (**permalink**) 08-05-2010, 10:55 AM

Try "Meet The Gimp" its a website and community forum they have video podcasts showing you how to use basic features of the gimp all the way up to advanced editing like split toning, colour corrction etc.

They have there full history of vides available and is one of the best resources for learning the GIMP I have found. If you have the time and watch the episodes some are length its a great resource and all free.