Photoshop, is they a cheaper alternative?

[epp_b]

The GIMP is ... gimped. It really isn't an alternative.

I use a hodge-podge of Corel PhotoPaint, Irfvanview with a distortion-correction plugin and Nnikon ViewNX for RAW processing.

 

[AUG19]

I didn't write it was reasonably affordable.

 

[skieur]

I didn't write it was reasonably affordable.

Well, Paintshop Pro Photot X3 Ultimate has more Photoshop elements, than the the Photoshop Elements Program at a cost that is often around $40. Now comparing that with $1,000 for CS5, I would say that Photoshop is NOT reasonably priced. The student price is far lower, but that is NOT the price that most people pay.

Sure CS5 has more adjustment possibilities. I have this program. It is worth more in value but NOT that much more.

skieur

 

[j28]

Lightroom is great, and I personally love PaintShop Pro. I was pretty upset there is no Mac version, and almost went back to PC just because of that. I have CS5 Extended and have learned to love it, but it definitely requires a dedicated period of time for learning to use it. I'm still learning something new I can do with it every day, and don't expect that to stop for quite a while.

 

[Tinstafl]

If you are on Mac then Aperture 3 is 79 bucks at the app store. I could use LR or A3 and chose A3 as it works better for me. I also have CS5 for serious stuff but use it about 5 % of the time. You could get by with elements and A3 or LR3 but it is triple the price.

 

[j-digg]

I didn't write it was reasonably affordable.

Well, Paintshop Pro Photot X3 Ultimate has more Photoshop elements, than the the Photoshop Elements Program at a cost that is often around $40. Now comparing that with $1,000 for CS5, I would say that Photoshop is NOT reasonably priced. The student price is far lower, but that is NOT the price that most people pay.

Sure CS5 has more adjustment possibilities. I have this program. It is worth more in value but NOT that much more.

skieur

Sure glad I got my CS5 for $300 :S

 

[D-B-J]

The student version is quite reasonably priced. Haha

 

[toddjamesphotography]

No other program can really touch the power of Photoshop in terms of what you can do with it. It is an amazing tool. However, I've found that much of my "editing" has been handled successfully by Lightroom. It's incredibly more efficient than Photoshop but obviously not quite as powerful for more complicated and artistic edits. All depends what you're looking to use it for.

 

[skieur]

Lightroom is really just a cataloguing program with some basic editing features. Part of that $40 Paintshop Pro X3 program is Express Lab, which has similar features to Lightroom.

skieur

 

[molested_cow]

I didn't write it was reasonably affordable.

Well, Paintshop Pro Photot X3 Ultimate has more Photoshop elements, than the the Photoshop Elements Program at a cost that is often around $40. Now comparing that with $1,000 for CS5, I would say that Photoshop is NOT reasonably priced. The student price is far lower, but that is NOT the price that most people pay.

Sure CS5 has more adjustment possibilities. I have this program. It is worth more in value but NOT that much more.

skieur

That's because you are only using it as a photo editing tool. Photoshop is designed to do MUCH MUCH more. For the price, it is a CHEAP tool for any professional who needs to produce graphics. You pay the one-time $1000++ price and you are set. If you can't make that much money in a month, then you aren't doing it right. I use photoshop at work every day for various purposes. From cleaning up chicken sketches to producing photo realistic renderings of designs. Photo editing is actually the small part of what I use photoshop for. For a photographer who only use it for photo editing, it may not be the most reasonably priced tool, but for someone who uses even just 50% of what it can offer, it's a steal.

Scott Robertson is a well known Hollywood concept artist and designer, also a well known professor at Art Center college of design. His works are done mostly with Photoshop. He's just one of the thousands of artists and designers who use photoshop everyday to create amazing works, works that defy imagination.
http://www.drawthrough.com/galleries.php

 

[behanana]

As you can see from the posts here, price is relative to what you are doing. There is the PaintShop Pro, I use Elements 9 because I'm not versed enough in post processing or serious enough in photography to justify even Lightroom at this point. It's true that ultimatly PS is a bargain, if you need everything PS has to offer, if not it isn't plain and simple. My reasoning behind Elements was because after the $20 rebate it was about $50-60 and I figured if I learned Elements and decided to upgrade to Lightroom or eventually needed PS at some time in the future I would already have some expieriance with Adobe and how the program worked, hoping that it would make the transition some what easier. Don't wory though, there are programs out there that are under $100 that will do basic editing for ya. Good luck finding what you need.

 

[GreatPhotoRace]

There are many alternatives. As many has said before GIMP is certainly one option.

I'll point out that there is also Adobe Photoshop Express which is a web based photo editor. If you own a mac, which invariably, a lot of photographers do, check out Aperture. It's only $80.

-GPR

 

[diipii]

I, too, think Photoshop way overpriced and I have tried "alternatives" but none can match PS.
So maybe try Elements. It is very good value for money and closer to what Photoshop is really worth in my opinion.
( I wouldn't dare suggest an illegal copy... just too naughty)

 

[KmH]

Actually, for professional grade software Photoshop CS5 is pretty cheap.

Compare what Photoshop costs, to something like AutoCAD, or SolidWorks.

 

[MattTX]

Molested_cow said it best. If all you want is a program strictly for basic work, then yes Photoshop is far more than you need. But if you reallywantto learn how to harness some powerful stuff, then it's the best.