Software preferences?

[medicnai]

In the hopefully near future I will be updating my laptop (mine is currently 7 years old!) and with it I have convinced my husband to purchase new photo software. I currently use photoshop elements 5.0 (primarily because it was a gift, I didn't get to do any research) and my computer currently can't handle any software that is newer (no memory etc.) I like the photoshop elements, but I hear a lot of talk about CS5, lightroom, etc.

My question is, what software do you use and why? I'm not looking to spend hundreds of dollars, just something that will work for my basic needs. I mainly do "friend of a friend" favors...helping out with a few wedding here and there, a couple of senior portraits, and families.

What would you recommend?

[pjflan7]

Elements would be great for basic editing and if you want the power of photoshop, then just download GIMP and use that. It is free........

[Photologyst]

I use Lightroom for photo sorting, culling, cropping, general adjusting and Photoshop for special processing such as facial adjustments, cloning, backgrounds, etc.

Elements is a great choice; still, I wouldn’t want to live without LR.

[Jojie]

I use Lightroom most of the time. Things that can't be fixed in Lightroom then I import to Photoshop and finish the detail.

[dbevisjr]

I use Lightroom 3 for raw processing and everything else I do in CS4. I tried NX2 but didn't like it. I have downloaded GIMP and UFRaw (they are FREE) but haven't taken the time to learn anything about them. If I were getting new computers I would most definitely start with the free software and if I like it great, if not there is no loss. Then I would shop for new software.

[Murtasma]

I would say lightroom. CS5 is way out of your budget unless you can get a student discount (even than it's several hundred dollars).