On occasion I have been asked by clients to recommend a good photo editing program. When considering a purchase like this, it is best to break it down into three basic questions: 1) what are you using your photo editing program for?; 2) how much time do you have to spend learning your program? and 3) how much are you willing to spend?
When I work with a client on photo correction and manipulation, it is because 1) it is more cost effective to have a designer work on their material, or 2) they have a seriously in-depth project that requires custom photo builds. With this in mind, do you need to hire a designer for all your photo editing needs? Most definitely not.
There are a plethora of basic photo editing programs out there for all ranges of skill levels. The best advice is to find the program that first fits your needs and second your budget. You do not need to run out and get the most expensive program with the most bells and whistles simply because it is there on the shelf!
Bluntly put: if you do not have the need for all the bells and whistles, or you don’t have the time to learn how to properly use them, don’t buy them.
Adobe® Photoshop CS4 screenshot
I primarily use Adobe® products, so I’ll speak from that platform. Adobe has a wonderful page that breaks down their photo editing programs in terms of what your use/skill level is. For instance, I fit into the “Graphic designers, web designers, and artists” category, so Adobe recommends Adobe Photoshop CS4.
If you are a “photography enthusiast”, you would use Adobe Photoshop Elements 7. This is still a fantastic program for the regular shutterbug, and it happens to be a much less expensive option. While you don’t have all the 3-D capabilities, brush and shape options, and confusion mumbo-jumbo of the designer’s programs, you have the exceptional simplicity of being able to maneuver your way around a usable platform that will do exactly what you want with your photo albums and memory books.
So that’s the industry secret. You don’t need to buy the farm to get good quality, basic photo edits. Just find the program that is right for your needs.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Do you have any experience using either GIMP or Paint.NET (two “free” open-source photo/image editors), and if so, any comparative thoughts vis-a-vis Photoshop/Elements?
One of the reasons I ask is that I have used GIMP fairly extensively for several months, and while it is generally more than sufficient for my needs, of late I have occasionally found myself bumping up against its limits.
Dear B.,
Thank you for your question. Your inquiry intrigued me and I wanted to give you a full response, so I have dedicated an entire article to you and your question. Please forgive me for being long winded, but I owed you some serious research time.
Again, thank you for your question. Let me direct you to my response.
Yours,
N