Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro?

[gizbug]

I know photoshop has a high learning curve. Would like to edit some digital pictures I have, and looking for a good program.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Depends on what your price point is. If you've got the money to burn on the full version of photoshop (what like $500?), then go for it. If not, PSP is a great alternative at the $100-ish range. Photoshop Elements is also a really decent program ($100-ish), last I had used it anyway.

The advantage to using the photoshop programs (full or elements) is that they're industry standard interfaces and so can be useful to learn if you care to really get into digital art for the long haul. Full photoshop also includes the adobe raw plugin (IIRC), which is supposed to be good.

I think PSP ends up being much more full featured than elements, at the same price, but it's a different interface and has different quirks. I have PSP X and like it.

Alternatively, you could try using Gimp for free to see if it fulfills your needs. Or if you're doing really basic editing, I've found Picasa (also free) is super easy and produces quite good results.

 

[ryan256]

I have Photoshop 7 and Gimp as well. Photoshop is amazing software and goes far beyond the range of my artistic talents. Gimp however is a great program as well. If all you're doing is cleaning up digital photos I'd say Gimp is your best choice. The interface is pretty close to that of photoshop and you can't beat the price of free

 

[rudder]

Photoshop can't be beat in terms of versatility and things it can do. But at 1/10th the price... Paint Shop Pro is an excellent program.

 

[murban135]

Photoshop Elements is a great program, I have used it now for about 5 years. You can get version 5.0 for about $70