What software should I use

[Vic Vinegar]

That's very generous of you. I'll gladly take a check or money order made out to JoeW.

Gimp is freeware. So is Picasa. iPhoto will come with any Mac that you buy. LR is a 1-time buy as is Pixelmator and NX-2 Capture by Nikon. PS CS is a subscription (which makes it seem cheap and affordable but it's only cheap if you rent/lease it for a couple months--if you're a serious photographer you ought to assume you're going to be leasing it for 5-10 years at least, multiply the rate times that and see what you're paying). As for a bunch of other programs (like Acorn, PhotoImpact, Snapseed, etc.), they vary in price from a couple of dollars to about $30.

Here is a 2015 review of a bunch of photo editing programs: Photo Editing Software Review 2015 Best Photo Editor Software Digital Photo Editor - TopTenREVIEWS

If you really don't know what you want and want to dip your feet in to the water without spending a lot of money, I'd recommend Pixelmator. It would be a very low risk, good payoff option to start with. I paid $20 for it a couple of months ago. If you find it too difficult to learn, than you definitely don't want to invest in GIMP or PS CS and possibly even LR--their learning curve will be even higher (and except for GIMP, much more expensive).

Ok I need your address... ok ok joke's old, sorry. Thanks for the help. I am familiar with Picasa but its tools seem a bit too basic for me and it has some annoyances. For photo editing it's fine but the menus and behaviors... Kill me. Like when I want to crop something, and then I find another part of the picture I want to crop, I have to uncrop the whole thing and start over.

I would be willing to pay for a one time buy program under $50 since I'm just starting out. As long as that program is actually worth it. Maybe in a year from now I might invest in the high dollar programs.

 

[joeymas]

OK, don't laugh at me but I have used PSP X1 since it came out because it was the last really stable release and it FLIES on the newer computers. - I now upgraded to PSP X7 and to be honest I love it. - I have developed a work flow that allows me to move fast when I have the task of sorting and picking from large photosets.

I do a lot of event work so I need to have a set done and posted within one day of shooting.

Photoshop to me is great for creating art, but for basic editing and speed, I like PSP.

 

[Gary A.]

Patrick-

Most all of the better selling processing programs will ALL deliver a similar final image which aren't significantly different from each other. Most all post processing programs have 'trial versions' available for you to inspect and try.

I suggest you download a few of the trial programs and see which UI best suits you. Many photogs are interested in the cataloging capabilities of these programs ... so be sure to inspect that aspect if it is important to you.

The three best selling photo processing for beginnings is:

1) PhotoShop Elements 12
2) ACDSEE Pro 7
3) ACDSEE 17

(according to these people: Best Photo Editing Software Reviews of 2015 - Reviews.com

Not that 'best selling' is a credible criteria for choosing a program, but at least it is a start.

I would look at Lightroom, Elements 12, PhotoNinja, Corel ... et al.

As you can see by the response to your question, there isn't a single best program which is head and shoulders better than the rest. So play around, the free stuff is quite good also, do some googling and find one which fits you and that you find somewhat intuitive to use.

For me, being quite undisciplined, I find I learn best in a structured environment ... most community colleges and adult schools offer photography and photo processing classes. But there are many many online classes, books and tutorials to help teach you processing.

Good Luck and Good Shooting,
Gary

 

[Microbois]

If it can help, I'm using ACDSee Pro 8 (90$) and really like it a lot. I also use Perfect Photo Suite 9 (130$), as well as Paint Shop Pro X7 (65$). The reason why I use those software it's because I'm trying to stay away from all Microsoft and Adobe products. Not that there's something wrong with Lightroom or Photoshop, it's probably the best software money can buy, but simply because they are too expensive, and too much for my needs.

 

[rudimaes]

For the moment you can buy Photoshop Elements 13 (is latest version), at Amazon.com for $65,24.
Rudi

 

[rudimaes]

What is a good piece of software for editing for somebody starting out? How would I go about learning how to use software?

There are many tutorial videos on Youtube on Photoshop (Elements), Lightroom and Paint Shop Pro.
Rudi

 

[dennybeall]

Even though I'm retired I tend to look at things from a business standpoint. The monthly pittance for LR/PS is a tax deductible business expense and gives you all the capabilities that you may need and they take care of updates. Things change you just opt out. A task comes up that you don't know how to do, you go to the net - watch a video and voila. Spend the big bucks on camera equipment.