Photo Editing Software

[lykaon78]

Sue me if this is the wrong forum.... seemed the best place to get a good answer.

I finally got a decent camera (Sony NEX-5). Should I invest in the software to match it?

I'm thinking of nothing more than Photoshop Elements. Unless there better or cheaper options that will give me the basic tools for family/vacation/children's events editing and organization.

 

[corkyg]

Elements should be fine. I have it and others, but my workhorse is Irfanview.

 

[Rottie]

Element is alright for beginner but I feel more comfortable working with heavy duty Photoshop.

 

[Anubis]

paint.net is free and does all the basic things

 

[shortylickens]

Use a few free programs and then decide if you really need more.

 

[Krioni]

See this thread that's stickied... it has a list of free editing packages... They should be good as a starting point.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=45447

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Photoshop is not really a photo editing thing to go with. Sure it can do some heavy duty work, but you're looking for photo management and editing capabilities. I think Lightroom is my most used software for photos.

 

[Krioni]

Photoshop is not really a photo editing thing to go with. Sure it can do some heavy duty work, but you're looking for photo management and editing capabilities. I think Lightroom is my most used software for photos.

I agree with this *if* you can afford it. I use Lightroom and I LOVE it. It handles organization very well and v3 has some pretty darn good editing features as well. It will handle most, if not all, of your editing needs.

If you happen to be a *verifiable* student or teacher (they check), you can get it for $100... otherwise it's $300 retail.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I agree with this *if* you can afford it. I use Lightroom and I LOVE it. It handles organization very well and v3 has some pretty darn good editing features as well. It will handle most, if not all, of your editing needs.

If you happen to be a *verifiable* student or teacher (they check), you can get it for $100... otherwise it's $300 retail.

For registered users of Photoshop Elements, check your email to see if you have a $99 offer for Lightroom full.

I haven't used PSE since version 2, but got such an offer in my inbox from Adobe the other day. I've wanted Lightroom for a long while but I'm not a student and can't afford the $300 retail price, so I jumped all over this.

Anyway yeah, kinda overwhelming with all the options, but so far LR3 beats the pants off any of the free RAW editor/photo management softwares I've used previously.

More details here. Looks like it might be a random/targeted promotion...makes me feel pretty lucky!

 

[raasco]

For registered users of Photoshop Elements, check your email to see if you have a $99 offer for Lightroom full.

I haven't used PSE since version 2, but got such an offer in my inbox from Adobe the other day. I've wanted Lightroom for a long while but I'm not a student and can't afford the $300 retail price, so I jumped all over this.

Anyway yeah, kinda overwhelming with all the options, but so far LR3 beats the pants off any of the free RAW editor/photo management softwares I've used previously.

More details here. Looks like it might be a random/targeted promotion...makes me feel pretty lucky!

I have the old Elements 8 and got the email promo. Good thing I never upgraded to 9, I have a feeling that had something to do with it. LR is pretty killer.

 

[weez82]

Photoshop elements is very powerful and easy to use. And version 8 can be had new for under $50. Very good deal imo

 

[Krioni]

I wish there was a way to ensure you'd get the promo... would be worth buying an old version of elements on the cheap so you can get the discounted lightrooom.

 

[shortylickens]

I wish there was a way to ensure you'd get the promo... would be worth buying an old version of elements on the cheap so you can get the discounted lightrooom.

Is there an older version of Lightroom you can get cheap?
I've found more often than not its a better deal to use older software. Less money wasted which (in a roundabout way) means slower depreciation. Also they have more bugs worked out, and theres MUCH more online in the way of free tutorials and FAQ's.

 

[shortylickens]

OK, I just played with the freebie version of Lightroom. Its pretty sweet. Of course I have 30 days left to try it, and am not sure yet which features are locked, but already I could see myself using it.
If theres a cheap Student version I will totally jump on this.

 

[Gooberlx2]

OK, I just played with the freebie version of Lightroom. Its pretty sweet. Of course I have 30 days left to try it, and am not sure yet which features are locked, but already I could see myself using it.
If theres a cheap Student version I will totally jump on this.

There is. It's $100.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

There is. It's $100.

$79.99 shipped from Amazon.com. Limit one per amazon account.

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photosho.../dp/B003Q81EL2

Also, for those interested:

Adobe Photoshop Extended CS5 Student & Teacher Edition $189.99 shipped.

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photosho...ef=pd_sim_sw_1

JR

 

[Krioni]

Is there an older version of Lightroom you can get cheap?
I've found more often than not its a better deal to use older software. Less money wasted which (in a roundabout way) means slower depreciation. Also they have more bugs worked out, and theres MUCH more online in the way of free tutorials and FAQ's.

Ive already got LR. Upgraded from v1 to v2 to v3

 

[shortylickens]

Ive already got LR. Upgraded from v1 to v2 to v3

Do you believe there were meaningful enhancements to each edition?

 

[Krioni]

Do you believe there were meaningful enhancements to each edition?

Absolutely! They really stepped up the game on their photo editing stuff in each edition. The cataloging was always awesome so it's hard to complain there even in v2.

 

[Krioni]

And the noise reduction is incredible in v3

 

[shortylickens]

And the noise reduction is incredible in v3

OK, I just used it on a high ISO RAW I took a few summers ago (Charlie, the hot blonde).
The quality is just the same as every other program but what amazed me was how fast it worked. Just slide the bar and BAM! Instant preview.
Most other apps I have take 10-15 seconds per image, and if you dont like it you have to reprocess. Also some only work with RAW's and some only work with bitmaps, so theres that.