Best Photo Software

[Woody13]

Hi there! I am looking for a good photo editing program. I currently have Adobe PhotoDeluxe Home Edition 4.0 and Ulead Photo Explorer 7.0. They came bundled with my scanner. These programs are very good but rather limited in what they can do. I have a Windows based system and I am looking for a more advanced program that is easy to learn and use. I am just a hobbyist so I don't really need all the bells and whistles (or the cost and very steep learning curve) that come with Adobe Photoshop 7.0. I am leaning in the direction of Microsoft Picture It Digital Image Pro 7.0 and/or Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0. I don't mind spending $100 if I can get a good program that is easy to use. Does anyone have any experience with these programs or suggestions for other programs that I should consider? ACE told me that the software he uses is ArcSoft. He said it came bundled with his computer. Is ArcSoft a good program?

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by Woody13
Hi there! I am looking for a good photo editing program. I currently have Adobe PhotoDeluxe Home Edition 4.0 and Ulead Photo Explorer 7.0. They came bundled with my scanner. These programs are very good but rather limited in what they can do. I have a Windows based system and I am looking for a more advanced program that is easy to learn and use. I am just a hobbyist so I don't really need all the bells and whistles (or the cost and very steep learning curve) that come with Adobe Photoshop 7.0. I am leaning in the direction of Microsoft Picture It Digital Image Pro 7.0 and/or Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0. I don't mind spending $100 if I can get a good program that is easy to use. Does anyone have any experience with these programs or suggestions for other programs that I should consider? ACE told me that the software he uses is ArcSoft. He said it came bundled with his computer. Is ArcSoft a good program?

I would say go with Elements. Not only is it superior to the Microsoft product but this week, Best Buy is running a special where you get Photoshop Album for free instantly with it (a $45 value). Add to that a rebate that brings the final cost to about $50 and you have something you can’t beat with a stick…

Well, I guess if you really wanted to, you could beat it with a stick... I don’t know...

 

[isnet396]

I like Macromedia Fireworks....it might set you back a bit, not as much as Photoshop, i think, but it does the same things PS does.


Ian

 

[NowInc]

Even tho i personally cant stand it (since I am a loyal photoshop user)..paint shop pro is powerfull, and wont leave a large dent in your wallet

 

[Woody13]

Thank you isnet396. Macromedia Fireworks looks like a fine program although I think the learning curve is just a bit too much. I downloaded the trial version and I intend to work with the program to see if it serves my requirements. Also, it's a bit out of my price range because the parent company wants $275.00 although I found a retailer that is willing to sell it for $150.00. What really worries me is that this product is pushed real hard by the makers to students and teachers (with heavy discounts). In my experience that kind of marketing generally is a sign of a poor quality as exemplified by the various Apple machines. I'll let you know and thanks for the heads up! I had never before heard of Macromedia Fireworks.

MrPromey, I think you may indeed be correct. I checked out the price at Best Buy and you were right on the money! However, I also found the Microsoft program at Amazon for less than $70.00 retail (free shipping) and with rebates it comes in at less than $40.00. I just need to find some people that have hands on experience with these programs. Anyone?

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by Woody13
Thank you isnet396. Macromedia Fireworks looks like a fine program although I think the learning curve is just a bit too much. I downloaded the trial version and I intend to work with the program to see if it serves my requirements. Also, it's a bit out of my price range because the parent company wants $275.00 although I found a retailer that is willing to sell it for $150.00. What really worries me is that this product is pushed real hard by the makers to students and teachers (with heavy discounts). In my experience that kind of marketing generally is a sign of a poor quality as exemplified by the various Apple machines. I'll let you know and thanks for the heads up! I had never before heard of Macromedia Fireworks.

MrPromey, I think you may indeed be correct. I checked out the price at Best Buy and you were right on the money! However, I also found the Microsoft program at Amazon for less than $70.00 retail (free shipping) and with rebates it comes in at less than $40.00. I just need to find some people that have hands on experience with these programs. Anyone?

I would go with Elements. It has a good chunk of the features that the full version of Photoshop does but with a lot of hand holding to get you there. Since you have used PhotoDeluxe, you are already a little familiar with Adobe's way of doing things. There is also a rather large community of users out there to help if you have any problems with it ( www.adobeforums.com )... I've tried the Microsoft product a few times and I personally consider it garbage but that is just my opinion.

If you want the most flexibility between the two, I would seriously consider going with Elements. If you are willing to work a little harder, Now's suggestion of Paint Shop Pro isn't at all bad. I would probably place it somewhere between Elements and Photoshop (probably closer to Photoshop)...

Personally, for straight picture work, I wouldn't consider Fireworks to be ideal since it is primarily marketed as a companion tool to Dreamweaver and Flash and the emphasis with it is primarily on web work rather than all around image editing.

 

[Woody13]

Thanks isnet396, MrPromey and NowInc for your suggestions! It was very kind of you to help me. Based upon the great information all of you provided plus some additional research, I decided to buy Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0. Professionals such as NowInc use PhotoShop 7.0 as it seems to be the default standard in the industry so I am impressed with that aspect. Now I just have to look for a good price. The Best Buy deal is no longer available so I'll have to check around some more for a good deal. Thanks again!

 

[MrPromey]

Ghad to see the arm twisting worked :sohappy: ....

Amazon is offering the regular $30 reabate that everyone has right now for owners of previous software (Photo Deluxe is one of them) as well as a $20 rebate which brings the final price to $46.99 and you can also get free shipping.

That is about the best deal I’ve been able to find on it from what appeared to be legitimate sources (i.e., not a government or bundled copy) Otherwise, if you don’t want to deal with two rebates, the next cheapest price I could find was $84.00 with free shipping here:

http://www.atomicpark.com/productList.aspx?familyId=5974&sub=y&RefID=13

The price would be $54 after the $30 rebate at this place… Good luck!

 

[Woody13]

Wow, thanks again Mr. Promey. When I first saw your post I thought to myself, "Yeah, but in order to qualify for the $30 rebate I'm going to have to have a sales receipt." As I said, my copy of PhotoDeluxe 4.0 came bundled with my scanner (Microtek ScanMaker 4900). So I figured I was out of luck. I decided to check a little more and I was able to download a copy of the actual Adobe rebate card. To my surprise they don't even ask for a receipt of product purchase. All they require is either the name and serial number of the product or a photocopy of the CD! I looked in my gigantic CD trunk and found my copy! That sure makes it easy. Most rebates are a real pain to acquire. I ordered the product from Amazon this evening. It's a very good deal. Only $47 for a very high quality product that normally sells for $100, can't beat it with a stick. Well, I guess you could but....I digress. I owe you one, so don't hesitate to ask if I can return the favor! :sohappy: