photo editing software for a newbie/casual user

[shirt]

hi all,

i don't need anything super complicated or with all the bells and whistles, although it'd be good if i can progress to more complex editing over time or if i upgrade my camera.

currently using a fuji x20 for nothing more than holiday and hobby snaps. i am yet to make much progress beyond the preset modes but getting there slowly.

i have a mac and pc but would prefer to use the mac as it has a miles better monitor. i don't mind paying for software within reason and favour usability and features over higher end functionality.

any recommendations?

[conkerman]

GIMP.

Free and pretty powerful. Not the easiest to use, but lots of internet "how to"

[markmullen]

Do you use iPhoto? If so Aperture is the logical progression.

[Mobile Chicane]

Buy a Canon and you 'should' get their PhotoStudio bundled with it.

Very easy to use.

[The_Jackal]

Lightroom

[RobDickinson]

conkerman said:

GIMP.

Free and pretty powerful. Not the easiest to use, but lots of internet "how to"

Couldn't think of a worse place to start photo editing.

Aperture or lightroom.

[shirt]

markmullen said:

Do you use iPhoto? If so Aperture is the logical progression.

i don't but i should. i have photos everywhere on various work/personal drives etc. and was planning to get organised using an airport time capsule.

Mobile Chicane said:

Buy a Canon and you 'should' get their PhotoStudio bundled with it.

pretty happy with the x20 for now. i wouldn't get the use out of an SLR as i am not one for lugging kit around. also this is a rather expensive solution!

RobDickinson said:

Aperture or lightroom.

both look good although lightroom seems to have the edge. does anyone have experience with either/both to commen further?

[Craikeybaby]

I've used both Aperture and Lightroom, but keep going back to Lightroom as I started using it first, so have got into the Lightroom way of thinking.

My suggestion would be to start using iPhoto - you should already have it on your Mac and does the basics well. Then if you find it is a bit restricted try Photoshop Elements or Aperture/Lightroom.

GIMP is free, which is good, but there are a lot of features you won't need at this stage, likewise with the full version of Photoshop - which isn't free.

[rottie102]

Picasa is a very good basic Lightroom equivalent but I would still spend the money and buy Lightroom... It's not expensive and once learnt it will last you for years.

[abbotsmike]

I'd start with picasa (which is where I'm at) then move on to something more complex if you want it. most 'basic' fixing can be done in picasa. I plan to look into lightroom once I've bought a decent camera!

[2slo]

Start with PS Elements. You may find it does everything you need. If not, LR + CS are the next stage. I use both, I work through LR then export to CS and use plug ins (Topaz, Nik etc) as required. The only drawback with CS is that Adobe have taken it away from the pay once software that CS 6 was (which I use) and now have it as the subscription based CS cloud. On the plus side, you get all the latest updates as they're released, on the neg side you never finish paying for it. I'm in no hurry to upgrade.

[prand]

I go onto pxlr (web based editor) which is handy for doing the odd, quick piece of image manipulation.

I am sure it is limited and not by any meand professional but it's handy and its free.

[Shaoxter]

Lightroom 5 has got really very good and if you ever do feel the need for full blown Photoshop then they integrate pretty well together.

[Mr Will]

I'd say start with Picasa then move to Lightroom if and when you need to.

IMHO the organisation and cataloguing features are at least as valuable as the editing ones and Photoshop/Elements/GIMP won't give you these.

[RobDickinson]

Picasa has many good features but in the end edits exported always look gash

[abbotsmike]

RobDickinson said:

Picasa has many good features but in the end edits exported always look gash

What makes you say that? I've never noticed it, and a friend (who is a far better photographer than I) uses picasa for almost all his quick edits and is happy with it.

[RobDickinson]

abbotsmike said:

What makes you say that? I've never noticed it, and a friend (who is a far better photographer than I) uses picasa for almost all his quick edits and is happy with it.

Contrast, detail , sharpening, overall look is just poor

[Craikeybaby]

Picasa would probably be OK for what the OP wants to do, based on what he posted, however as me has a Mac iPhoto would be a better bet as it is baked into the operating system a lot better and the skills learnt transfer directly to Aperture, should he find that iPhoto becomes to restrictive.

[honest_delboy]

How much should I be paying for LR ? a quick google shows quite a broad spread of prices (PC user)

thanks

[Shaoxter]

honest_delboy said:

How much should I be paying for LR ? a quick google shows quite a broad spread of prices (PC user)

thanks

The lowest one??