Image editing software

[lputman]

Susan is referring to Photoshop Elements 7, which can be bought for less than $100 by anyone and is not upgrading.

[FoG]

Originally Posted by lputman

Susan is referring to Photoshop Elements 7, which can be bought for less than $100 by anyone and is not upgrading.

but Elements is also just half a prog in effect as time goes on they may wish to have more ability in it which then ,eans extra expenditure .... it is like buying a dvd that allows the main bits of the film but not all of it then saying buy it for the rest if you want for substantially more....

these days there are progs available that have everything Photoshop full does at less outlay even GIMP can be used for stunning reulsts and it is free ... my point is there is far more than just Adobe out there. it is a shame more do not try these before thinking if it is not Adobe it is not goosd enough ..

there are users here usnig far more and more creatively Windrider for one that show just how much the competition has moved on.... not arguing just giving a fair point to the OP and saying look around before spending try demo's (Serif do not have a demo but offer a far better full money back guarentee if not happy) I know I have used Serif and that gives a biased view in a away but it also means I am sopeaking from outside the Adobe crowd sadly as I say more don't but they are swaying that way even some Pro's I know have swapped purely on the price alone and then been stunned by it's abilities

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by lputman

Susan is referring to Photoshop Elements 7, which can be bought for less than $100 by anyone and is not upgrading.

LOL Thanks Lori, you saved me from having to explain that.

FoG - yeah, I know what you mean. But, I used Elements 7 for a very long time before I was able to get a copy of CS2. Granted, CS2 (or 3 or 4) can do more, but the OP is saying that he doesn't necessarily want all the bells and whistles of a full Photoshop version. Oh, and I did mention Paint Shop Pro, which is what Windrider uses.

[FoG]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

LOL Thanks Lori, you saved me from having to explain that.

FoG - yeah, I know what you mean. But, I used Elements 7 for a very long time before I was able to get a copy of CS2. Granted, CS2 (or 3 or 4) can do more, but the OP is saying that he doesn't necessarily want all the bells and whistles of a full Photoshop version. Oh, and I did mention Paint Shop Pro, which is what Windrider uses.

I tried that and it gives Serif a close run but I just found Serif easier to get along with but personal taste... I know Elemnts is OP best bet for the no bells and whistles but I also know once the bug hits in editing you will be screaming in months that you want more power and bingo there goes the next $200 + when for student fair and up the lower end do it all sure if you go pro or can justify spending the money and earn enough to Photoshop is the best of them for now. but for those on a budget and with a tight budget look elsewhere and get more for their moeny till they are in a position to get a full version of PS ... that way they get the more powerful abilities and experience and the less expenditure buying PS later on when moeny allows

[Rubey84]

after actually looking at PSE8 is lookin mighty fine, its like $80 and you make a good point susan. i dont need CS4 but i think im going to do some serious research about features. there are just some features that i wont live without.

[photogenthuse]

When you are referring to Photoshop Elements being OP you are referring to "Over Priced" correct? I have recently started Digital Photography and I have been looking for a software and I'm having the same dilema I'm a not a professional so getting Adobe Photoshop with those prices is simple ridiculous so I'm seeking an alternative and for the time being I just need a utility that a photographer would need not a graphics editor so I would just need a program to allow me to get the best out of my RAW formats when I take them.

So my question is how well does Elements handle RAWs and to people who have used both Elements and Lightroom how much of an edge and or how badly does Lightroom dwarf Elements?

[Rustypteclare]

Check these out.

Beta version of Light Room 3 - free to try until the full version comes out.

Faststone Image Viewer - actually willhandle most basic editing functions.

Gimp 2 - seems to be a very powerful (and free) program that will handle just about anything that PS does.

ATB! Rusty