26 replies to this topic

[DAVID E]

I've been considering getting some photo editing software and wondered if anyone had delved into this much. I had thought about Adobe's Photo Shop but that can get expensive and some of the software may do a lot more than I'll ever use. So, I decided maybe a more viable alternative to what I'll want to do may be Corel's Paint Shot Pro x2. Cheaper and easier to use probably as well. What do you think? I saw where Smokey had started a thread on Photo Shop CS3 but, that's too rich for my blood.

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/...t/1185293062133

[JohnT]

I use a lot of different photo editing tools from Paintshop Pro, to Photoshop CS, and am very much biased to PhotoImpact V12. Photoshop CS3 is fantastic program I use for advanced graphics but it carries a lot of things the average user will never use. Shutterbug Magazine December issue reviewed and tested PhotoImpact 12 which is now owned by Corel and gave it super positive reviews. It is not cheap around 89 bucks but compared to others by what it will do it is a bargain. Current version of Paintshop Pro X2 has bugs and is not recommended.
http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/...CFRdciAodsn_PcQ
It has a free thirty day trial to download which is great, if you don't like it you have paid nothing.

Adobe Photoshop elements is also a solid program to use. Priced close to PhotoImpact yet it does not do as many things as PI does it is a solid program. Version six is about 99 bucks.
http://www.digitalca...asp?newsID=3213

You could start out with one of the free programs to get used to different features such as Picasa
http://picasa.google...tures-edit.html
Gimp
http://www.gimp.org/features/
Photoscape
http://www.photoscap.../screenshot.php
Paint.net
http://www.getpaint.net/
Photofiltre
http://photofiltre.f...r/frames_en.htm

Paintshop Pro X2 review
http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/imageedit...aintshoppro.htm

[DAVID E]

JohnT, on Jan 10 2008, 10:07 AM, said:

Current version of Paintshop Pro X2 has bugs and is not recommended.

What are the bugs, JT? Does anyone talk about that somewhere? Do you know anything about Photoshop 6.0, 7.0 or 8.0? Could that be a better option than PSP x2?

[Mrs. Bond]

I can't add much to what JohnT says, as he is our resident graphic program expert! <<Smiles>> He's tried 'em all - he's a pro at 'em all. LOL.

I have not tried Photo Impact myself, but that is only because I can't afford to buy it. However, I do know several people who use it and it is very well thought of by everyone.

Personally, I use PSP-X (Paint Shop Pro, Version 10) and I LOVE it. For my needs, it is perfect. I belong to some PSP user's groups and I can guarantee you that from what those ladies all say, I would NOT use PSP version X2, or for that matter, not even version X1. 12 is the worst - as JohnT says - full of bugs - doesn't play well with Vista at all (if that's a concern for you) - and in general, is a constant hassle and equal to "Excedrin Headache #101"!

I would second JohnT's suggestion at trying some freebie programs first. It's surprising what some of them can do. I like Photo Filtre and Paint.Net myself and still have them on my machine even though I use my PSP-X almost exclusively for everything I want to do.

[DAVID E]

This version 10, Mrs Bond, does it have a "unsharp mask, sharpen..." in it? There seems to be a lot of versions to this software for some reason.

[dobhar]

David...

I'm not even close to an expert in "Graphics" but I really do like using Paint.Net...for a free program you can do quite a lot.

I know my brother Cannon is a Adobe PhotoShop Guru and loves that program. He has mentioned PaintShop Pro being the next best thing and for a heck of a lot less money.

[dobhar]

David...I remembered a "Scott Finnie Newsletter" article on this. Have a look.

http://www.scotsnews...tm#cyndytoolbox

[JohnT]

Paint shop Pro has it as does most good photo editing programs, but keep in mind there are tons of filters that you buy separately or download free that really enhance most of the programs mentioned.
I use Filtermeister, Almatera, reflet, filter factory, sinedots, Visman, flaming pear, Mura, Xero, Spiro, blade pro set etc.

[Mrs. Bond]

DAVID E, on Jan 10 2008, 08:32 AM, said:

This version 10, Mrs Bond, does it have a "unsharp mask, sharpen..." in it? There seems to be a lot of versions to this software for some reason.

Yes David, it sure does - it's listed under the "Adjust" menu.

JohnT is soooooo right about the filters! Talk about something to get addicted to! Oh my goodness, I have at least 50 and am still on a constant lookout for even more. They are tons of fun to experiment with and it's amazing all the zillions of special effects that you can get with them.

I can see why dobhar says Cannon uses Adobe . . . it is the real true "professional" of the graphics programs, but also comes with a VERY "professional" price . . . about $700 as opposed to $100 for PSP or PhotoImpact. A person who makes a living as a photographer, or does it as a very "heavy-duty" hobby could probably make extremely good use of Adobe. But for the average person, I see absolutely nothing at all wrong with either PSP or PI.

Edit Notation: I just took a look at the newsletter referenced by dobhar, and I would say "that woman is right on!!!" I have no firsthand experience at all with Adobe Photoshop, but for years I have heard that the learning curve is EXTREMELY steep and it could take you a year or two to really understand the program ....... and that's only IF you have the perseverence to tolerate the stumbling blocks that it throws out in front of you. I truly believe it could be a terribly frustrating uphill battle.

[PeggyB]

I use version 7, but I have all of them through 10. Let me know if you would like one of them.

[JohnT]

You get a strong agreement with me Mrs. Bond. I am amazed on what PI and PSP will do for what they cost. The filters are a ongoing addiction for me as well.

Photo I took at SF exploritorium than used Visman Aura Detector. Looks like outer space.

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[Mrs. Bond]

Oooooo! JohnT, I love what you did with that photo - too cool!

[DAVID E]

Adobe PS CS3 is an arm and a leg and I think I'll have to fore go that one. I especially liked this feature of Paint Shop in that article you posted the link for Kent...

Scratch removal deletes scratches from old photos, but can also be used to erase phone lines and face wrinkles from new ones. PSPX also offers a cloning brush and an object-removal tool that lets you remove larger objects from photos. Or you can use the background eraser to select an object that you'd like to silhouette.

I have an excellent shot of a profile full length of Bubba in the back yard but it has a distracting background. Even with a camera set at telephoto length, if you are back far enough, the depth of field is too great-not shallow like it would be if you were closer. Since depth of field is reliant on f/stop, focal length and distance, a great shot may be lost to a background. In another photo, there is my chain link fence in the background..somewhat blurred but not enough. This program may help me eliminate that fence but, didn't y'all say it had bugs?

I searched Corel's website and the only one I saw there was the x2 version. I didn't see 7.0, 8.0 or version 10 there so, maybe these are not available anymore or I'm not looking in the right place. I had thought of going to Best Buy and looking for one of these this weekend but, it may all be for naught.

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I use version 7, but I have all of them through 10. Let me know if you would like one of them.

You have version 10? How do I get a copy, Peggy?

BTW-this is one of the shots I have in mind for sharpening and treating the background. I think it woud make an excellent picture of him.

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[DAVID E]

I did find a copy of PSP 10 on amazon. Is this a good one to start on?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00...5838&sr=1-1

[JohnT]

PSP10 is rock solid no bugs and should be excellent for what you want to do. To me the easiest way to do this is to extract the dog from the picture and give him a new background. Just a thought.

The first one I just cropped and adjusted lighting a little darker and lighter on contrast which hi-lights the dog better. The other two I cut the dog out and gave him different size and backgrounds.

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[DAVID E]

In that first one he even looks sharper. Changing the contrast as I discovered when doing B&W in my darkroom years ago can change the perceived sharpness as well. I'm getting a little anxious to get into this as I have some potentially great shots that just need a bit of help. I just want to be sure I'm getting the right program and not to get bogged down in having to read for a week how to use the program. Digital cameras from what I've seen, have a tendency to soften an image, unlike an SLR, and could benefit from such programs. My camera doesn't record in RAW so, I have to stay with the best setting the camera offers with the best compression and size (Large in this case) That makes the file big(around 3-5mb) but, I get a better photo even though it compromises that amount of shots I can get. The software, well chosen, can be a big help all the way around.

[Cannon]

David as my brother said I use photoshop and have been using it for over 10 years, but saying that photoshop is huge not only in $ but the things that it does. I bought a version of psp years ago but the problem I had was it did everything differenty than photoshop so when I started my little business restoring old photos I paid my $1000 plus tax and have been buying the upgrades since. There are some very good consumer editing programs but since I don't use them I think the best advice I could give you is to try a few until you find one you like then buy it. John, Mrs Bond and Peggy use the best consumer software there is. I hope this help you a little and good luck with your choice.

[JohnT]

The majority here recommend Paintshop Pro, as stated I have used them all and I still favor PhotoImpact. The learning curve is quicker and there is a beginners work group that is a free forum group that will take you through 90 lessons on how to use it if you want to join. The photo adjusting with it is very quick and requires very little help Check out the screen shot.

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[DAVID E]

Thanks for all this info, guys. I'm sort of favoring right now, PSP 10 (or X) and at least they have it at Amazon and Peggy said she did as well. That should be a good one and I may get PhotoImpact as well. I can't see $6-700 for CS3 as it probably does a lot more than I'll have to to try and figure out how to do it. I've had cars that didn't cost $700 so getting that for play is a bit difficult!

[DAVID E]

I now have Paint Shot Pro X to play with!! There appears to be a learning curve with this as I figured but I can imagine what the one would be with CS2 or CS3. I've played around a little with the "Adjust" features such as Smart Photo Fix and camera noise removal and the various setting in Sharpness and Unsharp Mask. I can see the potential here if I can figure out how it all comes together. Cropping is fairly straight forward but some of the other settings, such as Layers, is going to take some delving into.