Photoshop advice

[slakjaw]

I want to get photoshop but wow its really expensive. I can buy a used mac mini off craigslist, already loaded with CS4 for less than what a new copy of the photoshop CS5 runs. What say you. I want to play with digital photos that I have taken. Some in RAW and some JPEG. is there an even cheaper way to go?

[trekkor]

I've been using Paint Shop Pro from JASC for years.

It does it all for less...


KT

[slodave]

I am running CS3, waiting for CS4. I get the old version from my dad when he upgrades to CS5. CS3 is great for what I need and I know the images my dad printed while using CS3 are fantastic. CS4 does have some improvements that I can use (Although I really like the new CS5 features). I can't really give advice on any other program.
If you don't know anything about PS or other programs, you can tryout GIMP. It's free, runs on most platforms and is surprisingly robust these days. I used it many years ago on Linux and had good things to say then. I believe the interface is a little friendlier today too.

I forgot about PSP as Trekkor mentioned.

[slodave]

I forgot to mention that I do use two 3rd party filters with PS.

Viveza and Noiseware

[911pcars]

Unless you have a need for specific features in the latest PS versions, you could opt for an older version e.g. CS3 (still powerful) and end up spending less. You can always upgrade if needed. PS has so many features and so many different ways to accomplish what you want to do, I don't think the average person will ever stretch the limits of the program.

There are other photo editing programs. I'll let others comment and compare with PS.

Sherwood

[911Rob]

I got PSCS from one of those software websites years ago and it cost me $85.00
Works great.

Also got a set of 'how to' discs from a buddy that really helped learn it.
fwiw

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by trekkor

I've been using Paint Shop Pro from JASC for years.

It does it all for less...
KT

Ha, on my old PC my Paint Shop Pro used to say "You are up to day 763 of your 16 day free trial..." God I love that sort of software.

[nancystewarts]

For me I prefer you going to USE CS3 Much more simple and not that big .. it will not make your computer SLOW.. Trust me..

[GH85Carrera]

PhotoShop is the only choice for most advanced users. It is crazy expensive for the average user. At work I use CS4 all the time, ever single day. At home I am still using version 6. For most home users an old version will do what you need.

[stomachmonkey]

Everyone pretty much spot on so far.

GIMP is a good Open Source alternative and will do it all.

I would be reluctant to get a machine with it pre loaded unless the user specifically agrees to send you the install discs and all documentation including, (most important) the serial number stickers.

Without them you can't be assured that you will have a legit copy.

For consumers there is also Photoshop Elements, ~$80.00. Not sure how feature rich it is, have never used it.

[RKC]

I have CS5, but if you are just going to start playing with photos, the tools in iPhoto on the Mac are free and can do much to improve your photos. Photoshop Elements is another good way to go - haven't used the newer versions, but tried it years ago and it had most of the major tools you might need to start out.

[masraum]

What camera? Every camera has its own version of raw, so you need to figure out which ver of PS supports your phone's raw format. Then get that ver.

[slakjaw]

Originally Posted by masraum

What camera? Every camera has its own version of raw, so you need to figure out which ver of PS supports your phone's raw format. Then get that ver.

I have like 1000 photos (jpeg) from a canon point and shoot. and I just got a Nikon D5000 so my collection of RAW is almost nothing right now.

[TerryBPP]

Try GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program

its freeware and has most of the functions of PS.

[slakjaw]

Originally Posted by TerryBPP

Try GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program

its freeware and has most of the functions of PS.

Ive been using Linux for years and never checked out GIMP... I will check it out. thanks man.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by slakjaw

I have like 1000 photos (jpeg) from a canon point and shoot. and I just got a Nikon D5000 so my collection of RAW is almost nothing right now.

Apparently it's possible to get Photoshop Elements 7 to work with the D5000 raw images.


Adobe Camera RAW 5.4 Release Candidate (CS4 ONLY). Support for the Nikon D5000 and other cameras.

Adobe has published a Release Candidate of Photoshop Camera Raw 5.4 (CS4 ONLY) for immediate download from the Adobe Labs site.
This latest version adds RAW support for 26 new cameras and digital backs, including the Canon EOS 500D, Nikon D5000, Olympus E-620 and 18 Hasselblad models.
The label ‘Release Candidate’ indicates that the update has been tested, but is not yet the final version.
It is worth reminding that this latest version of ACR is only compatible with Photoshop CS4, CS4 Extended and Bridge CS4. Users of Photoshop Elements 6.0 and Premiere Elements 4.0 can download version 5.3.

Follow up:

The users of Photoshop CS3 and earlier versions who have one of these new cameras, have no alternative but to upgrade to Photoshop CS4, or find another alternative for their RAW workflow, like - for example - converting their RAW’s to DNG for trouble-free ACR processing in Photoshop CS1 and better. See this article for a how-to.
This is just another example of how Adobe is milking its monopoly cow.

ACR 5.4 adds support for the following cameras and digital backs:
Canon EOS 500D (EOS Rebel T1i)
Epson R-D1X
Hasselblad CF-22, CF-22MS, CF-39, CF-39MS, CFH-22, CFH-39, CFV, 503CWD, H2D-22, H2D-39, H3D-22, H3D-31, H3D-39, H3DII? -22, H3DII-31 H3DII-39, H3DII-39MS, H3DII-50
Kodak EasyShare? Z980
Nikon D5000
Olympus E-450
Olympus E-620
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Sigma DP2

[willtel]

Have you checked out Adobe Lightroom 3?

digital photography editing software | Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3

[Por_sha911]

I have CS3 and Photoshop Elements. 90% of the time I am just tinkering for fun and Elements does everything I need. I guess it depends on how serious you are with it.