Looking for a great Editing Program

[dewal.b]

I am new to the world of editing, and I would love to get some feedback on what you use to edit your photos. I run Windows XP on a Toshiba Satellite laptop at the moment, not my top choice but it's a start. Any suggestions and advice are very helpful!

Thanks in advance,
Bre

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[jowensphoto]

If you're on a tight budget, I recommend GIMP (it's free!). If you've got cash to blow, CS6 or the less expensive Elements are good choices.

There's also plenty of free specialized software for HDR, panoramas, etc.

[SCraig]

Nikon Capture NX2, Corel Aftershot (formerly Bibble 5), Corel Paintshop Pro, DxO Optics Pro.

[dewal.b]

If you're on a tight budget, I recommend GIMP (it's free!). If you've got cash to blow, CS6 or the less expensive Elements are good choices.

There's also plenty of free specialized software for HDR, panoramas, etc.

At the moment free is the best option, I am in the middle of moving so I don't really feel comfortable spending money on a program just yet. I believe I have used GIMP before, although at the time I didn't really use it for anything special, just dabbled around really. It's a good thought though! Thank you!

[unpopular]

Gimp is terrible. Look into Photoline32.

[dewal.b]

Gimp is terrible. Look into Photoline32.

It's it free or cheap?

[usayit]

PhotoLine: Image Processing

Its cheap.. but not free.

[Danielj009]

I know it's probably pushing the budget but Lightroom student edition is pretty cheap these days at under $80. This is a seriously powerful piece of software.
The only free software I have had experience with is Picasa but it's just not the same (the other free suggestions above are probably better).

Cheers
Dan

[unpopular]

PhotoLine: Image Processing

Its cheap.. but not free.

But it's not complete garbage, either

Actually, when gimp completes GEGL integration, it will be a viable option and will likely switch provided that adjustment layers are available.

[dewal.b]

I know it's probably pushing the budget but Lightroom student edition is pretty cheap these days at under $80. This is a seriously powerful piece of software.
The only free software I have had experience with is Picasa but it's just not the same (the other free suggestions above are probably better).

Cheers
Dan

Under 80$ is pretty good! I'd rather spend money on something good but cheap to start with!

[Dao]

For free solution, maybe rawtherapee + GIMP

Rawtherapee can open RAW files from most of the popular cameras. It allow you to do basic POST such as Exposure adjustment including exposure, brightness, shadow recovery, highlight recovery, contrast and Saturation. It also has noise reduction or sharpening, white balance and stuff. You can also launch the external editor (GIMP) from within rawtherapee.


Both rawtherapee and GIMP has Windows binaries.



Of course, if you are planning to use Linux, there is a software called Darktable (free) that similar to Lightroom.

[unpopular]

Also there is Photivo for free RAW processing

[jowensphoto]

Gimp is terrible. Look into Photoline32.

Don't hate!

[AaronLLockhart]

I've never liked GIMP. I'm not doubting it's capabilities, but it falls short to MANY other programs available. I guess that's easy for me to say, considering I have CS6, but I also use Photomatix, Machinery 2.4 HDR Effects Pro, LightRoom, and I have used Photoline. I think the tools are more intuitive and easy to use with Photoline, and I would strongly suggest this route if you need something affordable.

[KmH]

GIMP doesn't include an image organizer, nor a Raw converter.

Unless something has been updated I don't know about, GIMP can only do 8-bit edits.

It's not often mentioned here at TPF, but you might consider - Corel PaintShop Pro X4

The industry standard image editing software is Adobe Photoshop.

There are 4 versions of Adobe Photoshop:
1. The consumer grade, 8-bit depth (Organizer, Camera Raw ( ACR -Elements version) - Adobe Photoshop Elements 10

2. The professional grade, 16-bit depth version that also includes the image file organizer/browser Bridge 5, and Camera Raw (ACR 7) - Adobe Photoshop CS6

3. The professional grade image database management PIEware compliment to CS 6 & CS 6 Extended specifically designed for photographers (includes ACR 7 in it's Develope Module) - Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4

4. The 3-D and Scientific grade - Adobe Photoshop Extended CS6

Most students qualify to buy in Adobe's Education store - Adobe.com Site Requirements - at discounts of up to 80% off their retail prices for various Adobe professional grade software and packages.
Like - Adobe Photoshop Extended CS6 Student and Teacher Edition