I just got a digtial SLR and am looking for advice on a good, medium priced photo shop program. Just looking to enhance my hobbies, nothing serious but don't like to look back and wish I had gotten something better.

 

photoshop elements has about 90% of the tools that the full version of photoshop has and it is very easy to use. I think it runs about $50 to $75 and is much better than any other low end photo software out there.

 

Thanks so much. I'll google and see about getting that. I was hoping you would be trollin' the general section. At least your photos I've seen and name give me confidence.

Greg

 

you should be able to get it cheap here:

http://www.buy.com/prod/adobe-photos...209055833.html

 

Wholeheartedly 2nd this recommendation. I use Photoshop CS3 on an almost daily basis and was truly impressed with how in-depth the "Elements" offering is after seeing it on a co-worker's laptop, especially for the price.

 

Motion carried.

Obviously Photoshop CS3 is the app to choose if you're looking for the ultimate, but for someone looking for a less robust application you just can't beat Elements. Paint Shop Pro and Gimp are OK, but they lack the overall feel and power. Plus, if you decide down the road that you're hooked on this digital photo manipulation, etc and want to spring for the full PS application you'll have a high degree of familiarity with it.

 

Don't forget there is a full featured program that can be made to run nearly identical to Photoshop called GIMP.

www.gimp.org/

I've been using it for years. Free is worth a bit more learning.

 

A good point. GIMP is very powerful, especially when used with the GIMPshop interface plugin. I find that plugin, which makes the interface similar to Photoshop, maked it more useful. That's coming from a Photoshop nerd, though, so take it with a grain of salt.

If you do want to pop for the full version of Photoshop, which is now up to CS4, I highly reccomend academicsuperstore.com if you have anyone in your family who is a student or teacher. It can save you a few hundred bucks.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback. I downloaded and started photoshop elements 7 and I'm testing out the camera. This weekend is the Mopar show in Long Island so I'll take photos of acrispy1 and all who show up. You guys can dissect my stuff and tell me how to improve it.