Beginner photographer need editing software recommendations

[refinnejsirrub]

Hello, I am just starting out with phtography. In fact, I havent even recieved my camera yet....I just ordered it. I will be getting a Nikon D7000. My question is about editing software. I'm hoping to eventually start doing "professional" photography (maternity, family, senior pics, weddings, etc) but I will be starting out fresh amd teaching myself how to operate the camera and everything. So I'm wondering what software would be best for editing pics? Something that would be somewhat easy to learn, but would do everything I would need for professionally edited pics so I don't have to upgrade again for a while. So far I have had Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Elements recommended to me, but Im not sure of the differences or if there is something better than those out there. Oh, I also dont want to spend a TON on it....if possible. thanks in advance!!

 

[joshua_]

I use Adobe Lightroom 4 and am very happy with it.

I'm no pro, not even close. I do understand that many pros use Lightroom 4 along with Adobe Photoshop.

I still may end up with Elements or Photoshop someday, but for my skills [or lack of ] Lightroom 4 is enough for now.

 

[KmH]

You can start with GIMP.org or Photoscape.org at no charge.

Lightroom is professional grade Raw file conversion PIEware, and it's image editing function is secondary to it's primary purpose which is image database management.

Photoshop Elements is also a good starting point.

Note: Lightroom has 7 modules. Only the Develop module is used fore editing.
Elements 11 Camera Raw, CS 6 Camera Raw, and Lighrtroom 4's Develop module all use the same edit rendering engine - Adobe Camera Raw 7 (ACR 7).
The version of ACR 7 Elements 11 uses is de-featured because Elements is consumer grade software. So it can make sense to have both Elements 11 and Lightroom 4.

If you or an immediate family member are in school, grades K-12 or higher education, you or your immediate family member likely qualify for Adobe student pricing.

Since you say, "I'm hoping to eventually start doing "professional" photography (maternity, family, senior pics, weddings, etc)..." you will be more in need of business skills than photography, and image editing skills. Starting a Business | SBA.gov

 

[Michael79]

For ease of use with 1 click photo touches, I would use Picasa (Free). It has a lot of different presets and option. For other task like changing a background or manipulation I would try out GIMP also for free, or elements. I find them a little on the easy side.

 

[ColRay]

Most people say you can't go past Adobe Photoshop.. not me I don't like the way Adobe sell a low cost education version and if your not in the education system it over double the price .. so I use Paint Shop Pro

 

[ann]

start with the program that comes with the camera, would be my first suggestion. They photoscape is terrific, easy to use and free.

 

[KmH]

Most people say you can't go past Adobe Photoshop.. not me I don't like the way Adobe sell a low cost education version and if your not in the education system it over double the price .. so I use Paint Shop Pro

Adobe gives students a discounted price on the full retail, professional grade versions of it's software. Doing so is very smart business.

In the case of Photoshop, Adobe only offers CS 6 Extended as a heavily discounted Student Edition.
CS 6 Extended has a full retail price of $999. Adobe sells the Student Edition for $249, a 75% discount. Adobe Photoshop Extended CS6 Student and Teacher Edition for Mac [Download]

Adobe offers student pricing for a broad range of students too - K-12, and higher education.

Take an inexpensive class at a local junior college if you're not already a student. It doesn't even need to be a Photoshop class.

 

[JTAsFan]

Most people say you can't go past Adobe Photoshop.. not me I don't like the way Adobe sell a low cost education version and if your not in the education system it over double the price .. so I use Paint Shop Pro

Adobe's Student Editions are not education versions. Adobe gives students a discounted price on the full retail, professional grade versions of it's software.

In the case of Photoshop, Adobe only offers CS 6 Extended as a heavily discounted Student Edition.
CS 6 Extended has a full retail price of $999. Adobe sells the Student Edition for $249, a 75% discount. Adobe Photoshop Extended CS6 Student and Teacher Edition for Mac [Download]

Adobe offers student pricing for a broad range of students too - K-12, and higher education.

Take an inexpensive class at a local junior college if you're not already a student. It doesn't even need to be a Photoshop class.

Do you know how long the student edition is good for? I will be graduating in May, if this is as good of a deal as it sounds I better get it as soon as possible.

 

[Light Guru]

Most people say you can't go past Adobe Photoshop.. not me I don't like the way Adobe sell a low cost education version and if your not in the education system it over double the price .. so I use Paint Shop Pro

Adobe's Student Editions are not education versions. Adobe gives students a discounted price on the full retail, professional grade versions of it's software.

In the case of Photoshop, Adobe only offers CS 6 Extended as a heavily discounted Student Edition.
CS 6 Extended has a full retail price of $999. Adobe sells the Student Edition for $249, a 75% discount. Adobe Photoshop Extended CS6 Student and Teacher Edition for Mac [Download]

Adobe offers student pricing for a broad range of students too - K-12, and higher education.

Take an inexpensive class at a local junior college if you're not already a student. It doesn't even need to be a Photoshop class.

Yes they are the full version but the license agreement says that you cannot use the software for profit, educational use only.

 

[KmH]

Yes they are the full version but the license agreement says that you cannot use the software for profit, educational use only.

Where in the Student Edition EULA does it say that? I can't find the CS 6 Extended Student Edition EULA . pdf file on Adobe's web site.

It will be something like below that has the section and paragraph numbers -

http://www.adobe.com/products/eulas/pdfs/Gen_WWCombined-MULTI-20111031_1230.pdf

16.3 Educational Software Product. If the Software is Educational Software Product (Software manufactured and distributed for use only by Educational End Users), Customer is not entitled to use
the Software unless Customer qualify in its jurisdiction as an Educational End User.

 

[cptkid]

My vote would go to Lightroom 4.

The reason being is that it is not only powerful, but it's relatively easy to start working with.

Couple that with the fact that it serves as a library for your photographs, it's great for begininers and pros alike.

Plus it's not very expensive at all compared to CS6.

 

[KmH]

Yes they are the full version but the license agreement says that you cannot use the software for profit, educational use only.

I'm sorry, but that is just not true.

From Adobe.com -

Education FAQ

Can I use Student and Teacher Edition products commercially?
Yes, Student and Teacher Edition products can be used commercially.

 

[Elliemae]

For Lightroom, I would hold out for Lightroom 5 now in beta. For student discounts you must purchase while actively enrolled. You have to jump through a few hoops to verify.
Cs6 is fab if you can swing it, but Photoshop Elements with Lightroom would be a good starter/combo.