[Sonsey]

Due to interest in what software there is available to convert and edit photos we are introducing two poll's for each member to show what software they currently use for these tasks.

We understand that member's will sometimes use several different programs for the various tasks and as such each poll is multiple choice. To help newer member's to Pixalo, aswell as those new to photography in general, the forum name of each member will also be displayed beside their choice/s to help with seeking advice etc. After making your choice/s a quick post listing your personal pro's and con's would also be helpful and welcome.

We have tried to include all the most relavent program's available but if you use a program that hasn't been included in the list please choose "other" and reply to the thread quoting which program/s you use.

[Charlotte]

SERIF PHOTOPLUS

Great idea Sonsey

I use Picture Project (which came with my Nikon D50) to upload from the camera to PC.

I then use MS RAW Image Viewer (Windows XP add-on) to view the photo's.

I then use RAW software (separate poll).

I also use Serif PhotoPlus (latest v.11) to work on RAW images. This is a big plus feature, i.e. that it can do both, and it does a very good job on RAW images, although is not specialised for this, so doesn't have all the features for the job, if heavy manipulation in RAW mode is required.

I can't list all the features it has - see their website for that, but they boast 90% of Photoshop's features for a fraction of the price. The latest version (11) has a lot more features than the previous v.10, so is definitely worth upgrading to.

I find Serif PhotoPlus an absolute pleasure to work with. I'm sure there are one or two annoying things about it, but I can't think of anything off-hand It has all the features I need, although I am not by any means an advanced user. Although my tendancy to always want the best (!) gets me craving for Photoshop, I can't justify the cost, so am happy to stick with this very competent programme.

Best of all, it's British!!

My Rating: 10/10

[shipwack]

While I use Elements for most of my work nowadays, I used to use the free software program "Picasa" from Google... It's what I recommend to various friends and relatives who want something for casual photo editing.

I still use Picasa when trying to find a specific photo, since it loads more quickly than Elements...

Pros for Elements: Powerful, fairly complete.
Cons for Elements: Relatively expensive (though cheap compared to Photoshop), there's a learning curve...

Picasa Pros: Free! Easy to use. Has a "I'm feeling lucky" button. Free! Does 90% (or more) of what a casual user wants to do.
Picasa Cons: Limited feature set compared to some programs. Not all RAW formats supported.

[Markulous]

I use the Sigma s/w to convert the RAW 'cos it's streets ahead of PS

And PS CS 'cos CS2 is sooooooo slow (OK, relative to CS!). Tho' use CS2 when I need to access one of it's additional features (healing brush, CA correction, etc)

Edit: Paint Shop Pro v4 (!!!) for 'quick and dirty' edits, usually to website graphics

[RichW]

I use Photoshop and Elements. I tend to use elements for its cataloging functions (I prefer it to bridge) and for a quick edit if I've got it open. If the work to be done is more major then I tend to use the full photoshop

It's not recommended by the world for no reason and is an extremely versatile and comprehensive image editing package, and this is also its achilles heal - it does take some getting used to!

I really like elements too. Easily good enough for the majority of photographers and what I used exclusively before work were kind enough to get a site license for Photoshop which allowed me to take it home

Only other thing I would say is that they both need a fairly fast machine to run at speed.

Rich

[fionaB]

I use Photoshop if use is the right word......... i started with a trial version of elements about 18months ago and was blown away. it is a steep learning curve but well worth the effort. i woldnt knock any other editing program as i have no experience of them whatsoever. horses for courses i reckon in this case.
As long as what ever program u are using gives the results you are looking for then who can complain!

Fi

[P-E]

I use CS2/CS3 (beta) don't think I will ever learn all the tools available in this programme.

[water]

I use Photoshop as that is what I was shown how to use when I first bought a slide scanner and computer.Have never used anything else, except for the free Rawshooter Essentials when I got a DSLR.

[Joseph McGarraghy]

Hi friends,

I think Charlotte has been very factual, for which I thank her, so have nothing to add.

Thanks

[Steve]

Photoshop CS2 for my image editing.

I have been using PS since version 5 and have sort of got stuck in my ways. It is a very steep learning curve for someone new to the program but incredibly powerful once you begin to find your way around. Obviously the cost is against the software for most and Paint Shop Pro can do much of what PS does for a fraction of the price. As I grew up with PS though the outlay was worth it to me.

[skipper954]

I, too, am using cs2. However, I find myself spending less time there because I can do so much of the global changes in Camera Raw. That is good.

[silkstone]

I've always been a fan of Paint Shop Pro, but Corel hasn't done it any favours. PSP X is very good IMO, but PSP XI is still buggy and I wouldn't recommend it. Although it can read and process RAW files, it's very clunky and I'm still searching for the perfect RAW converter to replace Rawshooter Premium. At the moment I'm using Adobe Lightroom beta, and the release version should be out in the next two or three weeks. I think that Adobe's goal is for LR eventually to include everything needed by most photographers, so second stage processing isn't needed, but version 1.0 is going to be a long way off that.

[Dutchie]

I use photoshop and finally finding my way around the program. I like it for what it can do. And that is enough. It took me well over a year and some courses (thanks Rob Barron they are very handy those mini courses) to get the knack of it.

I now need to find raw software which is good for me to use, as it didn't came with my nikon d80