Photo editing

[Noreen]

I had an old program on my previous computer but would like to get a new one. I have IrfanView which can do basic photo touch-up etc but can anyone recommend another program for a non-techie? I don't need one that has loads of technical stuff that I'll never use, it has to work with Vista and all the better if it's free.

[Rik]

Let's come at this from the other end, Noreen? What do you want to do with the software, ie how much work do you want to be able to do with your photos?

[Inactive]

Picasa, Noreen, free, it does the basics very well.

[Noreen]

Let's come at this from the other end, Noreen? What do you want to do with the software, ie how much work do you want to be able to do with your photos?

I want to be able to.............Resample to change size, adjust colours, touch up (remove faults), print various sizes, sharpen etc. I can't think of anything off-hand but those are the level of things that I want. I can do most of those in IrfanView but I'd like more control. I'll have a look at the program that In's recommended.

In, it doesn't mention Vista, do you know that it works?

[Gary]

I want to be able to.............Resample to change size, adjust colours, touch up (remove faults), print various sizes, sharpen etc. I can't think of anything off-hand but those are the level of things that I want. I can do most of those in IrfanView but I'd like more control. I'll have a look at the program that In's recommended.

I use photoshop elements 6, its great fun Noreen and gives you as much control or as little as you want, its not free though but its worth it.

[Rik]

Like Gary, Noreen, I'd suggest you consider Photoshop Elements, it has all the power but lets you choose how much you want to use.

[Noreen]

Does it work with Vista, Gary? Is it a download or is it available in shops?

[Rik]

Vista, yes, shops, yes.

Amazon

Camera World - good price!

[somanyholes]

http://www.gimp.org/

worth a look, it's free to

[Inactive]

In, it doesn't mention Vista, do you know that it works?

Whoops Noreen, I forgot that you now use Vista, it appears that it doesn't.

[Noreen]

Camera World certainly has the better price, Rik, have you used them?

[Rik]

I haven't, unfortunately.

[Inactive]

Camera World certainly has the better price, Rik, have you used them?

No, but the site looks OK to me.

[Rik]

I agree. Good contact details, clear information about the company.

[Noreen]

I'll probably go for it, having read the reviews on Amazon UK. Another courier delivery, they wait for me to go out before they try to deliver!

[Rik]

It might even be worth popping up to Tottenham Court Road...

[Mouseroo]

Probably worth mentioning Paint.Net - quick and easy to use, not too flash (but plenty of features), works on Vista, and it's free! 

Paint.Net

It's also supported by the open source community, so you can easily download a fair few open source add-ons for it as well.

[Inactive]

Photobucket also has editing facilities as well now.

Free.

[Dangerjunkie]

Hi,

I know it's more than you want but have you considered GIMP? It's aimed at the same people who would buy Photoshop but you don't have to  use all the features. I can do almost all the retouching I want with the clone tool ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKzViOy4pJc )

The GIMP website is at http://www.gimp.org and the Windows version (which supports Vista) is available at http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html

It's free so if you don't get on with it then you can still try something else and you haven't lost anything. If you look on the net there are plenty of good guides on how to use it. If you go to YouTube and search for gimp you will also find video demonstrations of how to use almost all the GIMP tools. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gimp&search_type=

One more thing. If you can pick up a used one cheap I'd recommend you invest in a graphics tablet. Something like the Wacom Intuos or Graphire. Mice are not well suited to painting and you will be amazed at how much easier it becomes with a tool you hold like a brush and that knows how hard you're pressing. You don't need a huge, expensive  tablet; I have an A5 Intuos I picked up second hand for somewhere in the region of £10-20 and I edit pictures for a magazine with it. I could not do that with a mouse no matter how hard I tried.

Good luck,
Paul.

[Rik]

Tablets are a very worthwhile addition for photo-editing, Paul - they make a huge difference when drawing, brushing or outlining, for example.

[Noreen]

I had a look at Picasa, it does work with Vista although it doesn't say so but I don't think it's quite what I want. It seems more about organising and distributing photographs.

I have tried The Gimp in the past and found it rather technical and complicated.

I'll probably go with Photoshop Elements 6 and get it from Amazon as I have an account with them. The difference in price between Amazon with free delivery and the other with a courier fee is hardly worth bothering about.

[Noreen]

Photoshop Elements 6 ordered from Amazon. Thanks everyone.

[Rik]

I'm sure you'll find it a good investment, Noreen. Although the interface is simplified, the underlying engine is still Photoshop, with all the power that still makes it the graphics industry standard.

[Noreen]

If I find it difficult I noticed that there is a "Missing Manual" for it, Rik.

[Rik]

Probably worth the investment, I usually buy two or three additional books with every version of PShop, it's such a deep program that there's always more to learn.