PhotoShop Software

[juan ruiz]

Hello;

I'm looking to edit some photos but I need some type of program like photoshop but I see that the programs are very expensive, the one I was looking at is $700.00, so my question is , is there other alternatives more economical out here? not necessary free but less than the photoshop software.

I have try 5-6 free but none of them are getting the results that I'm looking for,

Thanks in advance for any help

[GH85Carrera]

If you can find an older version you might save some money, but PhotoShop is the one standard program for photo editing. You don't likely need the latest and greatest version. Look CS4 or older versions. In the end you will be better off learning PhotoShop.

[juan ruiz]

Good Suggestion! a quick look in ebay showed that there's plenty of them BUT the prices still outhere $400.00+

[id10t]

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by id10t

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program

Yes

There is also Aviary - Tools

[Steve Carlton]

Photoshop Elements is cheap and 95% the power of Photoshop.

[kaisen]

I use Gimp

[juan ruiz]

I have use www.picnik.com in the past but I'm still not happy with the results, never mind that takes for ever, just to give you an idea of what is that I'm after, I'm providing a photo that needs to be fixed so it has a solid white background and no shadows so when you post them they look nice.

[herr_oberst]

My suggestion is to buy Photoshop Elements and learn to use the pen tool to outline a vector path that you can then drop out the background with.

[5String43]

Photoshop Elements is the way to go, I think. Very powerful, about a hundred bucks last time I looked.

If you go this route, you might find a "Photoshop Elements for Dummies" book, or something similar, helpful. The learning curve for any Photoshop product can be pretty steep.

[slakjaw]

Elements dude. PS is a pain to learn.

[Eric Coffey]

If you don't want to spring for the full PS software, you might look at PS Lightroom. It has plenty of image editing power, and is the only way to fly if you shoot RAW (excellent "non-destructive" RAW editor). It has a useful library feature/fuctntion as well.

PSE (Elements) is great as well, but is limited in handling RAW images. YMMV.

[juan ruiz]

Hi Eric, the one you are suggesting cost US$299 vs the Photoshop Elements which I found for $75.00, in total I need to do around 30 photos so is hard to justify the price is interesting that the one you mentioned is capable of handling RAW images.

[Brando]

Adobe also has subscription services for their latest suites. Having been spoiled using the CS 5.5 suite, it is incredibly difficult to find a contender.

[stomachmonkey]

All Adobe products offer a fully functional 30 day trial.

Download Photoshop, Elements and compare them to The Gimp and make an informed purchase.

At the very least you'll get your first 30 images done for free.

[juan ruiz]

^^^^^^^^^ HA!!

The beauty of the INTERNET! Thanks!! Good Thinking

[slakjaw]

dude, you could also have someone else do it. retouchup.com (i think) charges 2.50 an image to do a retouch.

[juan ruiz]

^^^ I will look into that option too! I was quoted $35.00 per image to photograph them and touch them up

[deanp]

You're going to pull your hair out trying to silhouette images like the wash mitt if you have limited experience using the tools in photoshop or elements, or gimp. The lack of contrast at the edges is problematic, at least with the image uploaded,and you won't be able to use the simple tools like the magic wand. Buzzing around the fiber loops with the lasso, magnetic lasso or pen tool will be tedious, as will painting a mask with the paint brush.

If you photographed that yourself, with the intent of cutting out the background (making a clipping path, or erasing it), you are better off using a neutral, contrasting background. It would be faster for you to reshoot and then use the software.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by juan ruiz

Hi Eric, the one you are suggesting cost US$299 vs the Photoshop Elements which I found for $75.00, in total I need to do around 30 photos so is hard to justify the price is interesting that the one you mentioned is capable of handling RAW images.

Only 30 photos? Then yes, I would just download the trial version of PS/PSe/Lr and have at it. However, if you want something that you can use in the future, you might consider pony-ing up for Lightroom (or PSe). I think full retail from Adobe for Lightroom is $299. However, you should be able to find it for well below that. With a quick google search, it looks like Staples has it for $150: Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® 3 | Staples® and B&H has it for $165: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 B&H

If you are ebay savvy (and a little patient), genuine/legit copies of Lr 3 can be had for under $100. If you go that route, just make sure you are getting a sealed (in factory shrink-wrap) full license, not the student/teacher version. Also, read the fine print to make sure you aren't bidding on the license key only. Just my $.02. YMMV.