Photo Editing program for beginners?

Olympus 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Digital

05/05/2006 04:06:43 PM · #1

Anyone know of a freeware or shareware-without-time-limits photo editing program that would be perfect for beginners? A friend of mine that is very financially strained needs something.

I unfortunately, haven't been keeping up on software lately. I only know of The Gimp, but that is far too much for her.

Anyway, any suggestions would be helpful.

joynim

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

05/05/2006 04:09:29 PM · #2

I hear picasa is good but not sure it is what she would want/need.

DjFenzl

05/05/2006 04:10:11 PM · #3

It may be TOO beginer but Picassa actually covers the basics fairly well. Some of the more advanced options are a good introduction to bigger apps too (like enhancing the red channel when converting to b&w).

edit: Picassa does non-destructive edits too (even on RAW files) so there's no harm in playing around.

Message edited by author 2006-05-05 16:11:15.

Tamron SP AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical IF for Canon

05/05/2006 04:12:32 PM · #4

Does Picasa do the general stuff.. cropping, resizing, sharpening, levels, etc?

nards656

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

05/05/2006 04:18:14 PM · #5

Originally posted by Artyste:

Does Picasa do the general stuff.. cropping, resizing, sharpening, levels, etc?

Picasa kicks butt for what it is. No, it doesn't do levels, but I don't think this person needs confusing with that, from what I read. The non-destructive edits, though, sometimes take some getting used to. (You have to export a file as a NEW jpeg in order to get a file that you can send to somebody else. Simply making a change in Picasa doesn't actually change the file, although you can email from within Picasa, too...)

It's easy to make good looking photos with Picasa. Sharpening has little control, but it does have steps. It has these awesome "highlights" and "shadows" sliders, along with "fill light" which makes "levels" really unnecessary for a beginner. White Balance adjustments are a breeze thanks to the "Color Temperature" slider, etc etc etc. Lotsa things I wish PSP had, and Elements almost has. Definitely kicks GIMP's butt as far as ease in turning out good stuff.

Of course, I recommend IrfanView as well, for basics and freeness.

Message edited by author 2006-05-05 16:22:22.

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/05/2006 04:22:34 PM · #6

Originally posted by joynim:

I hear picasa is good but not sure it is what she would want/need.

It updates images without asking if that is what you really want to do. Unless this "feature" has been changed, I strongly recommend against Picasa.

tngrndream

05/05/2006 04:22:37 PM · #7

you say the gimp is too much?

would it be better to give too much than too little.

i have downloaded the gimp myself. it is pretty difficult to get the more advanced things to happen. but the regular editing is fairly straightforward in the gimp. it may be that she could download that and play with it, while actually getting her photos to have some pp in them.

DjFenzl

05/05/2006 04:22:42 PM · #8

Originally posted by Artyste:

Does Picasa do the general stuff.. cropping, resizing, sharpening, levels, etc?

it does brighness and contrast.

nards656

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Tamron SP AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical IF for Canon

05/05/2006 04:25:14 PM · #9

Originally posted by Megatherian:

Originally posted by Artyste:
Does Picasa do the general stuff.. cropping, resizing, sharpening, levels, etc?

it does brighness and contrast.

And cropping, and resizes when you export to a folder. You are rather limited on output sizes, though.

Message edited by author 2006-05-05 16:26:46.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/05/2006 04:27:53 PM · #10

Originally posted by tngrndream:

I suggested The Gimp, but the installation procedure was too much for her.. that should tell you something.

dolphnz8

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

05/05/2006 04:30:57 PM · #11

I purchased PS 6.0 in order to use CS2 upgrade which was the cheapest route to go. I downloaded it, and then removed it. I'm not sure, but since it has been taken off of my computer, if someone else can register it, i would be happy to send it to you.

fotomann_forever

05/05/2006 04:32:56 PM · #12

Originally posted by dolphnz8:

What happens for any reason you have to install again?... Prolly better to hold on to 6.0.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/05/2006 04:33:40 PM · #13

Originally posted by dolphnz8:

A very nice gesture, but I think it'd be way over-much for her. I have a copy of PSP7 I can give her as well, if she reaches that point.

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/05/2006 04:38:24 PM · #14

Picasa's primary function is as a photo organizer, not as a photo editor.

If you want a decent free photo editor then try out The Gimp:

The Gimp

It is available for Mac, Windows and Unix. It is more challenging to learn but then it is a real photo editor. It offers a lot of sophisticated functionality built into Photoshop.

Message edited by author 2006-05-05 16:38:48.

buzzrock

Fujifilm X-M1

Fujifilm XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS

05/05/2006 04:39:31 PM · #15

What about elements Glenn?
I am sure that several people have copies they got w/various equipment (I think that Wacom Tablet that everyone bought came with one), and they have no use for it.
Just a thought.

buzzrock

Fujifilm X-M1

Fujifilm XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS

05/05/2006 04:43:53 PM · #16

Glenn I just thought of Kodaks Easy Share Program.
That one is really for beginners but its a totalyy free download w/out any limits/restrictions.

Quick Summmary:
# Brightness and contrast adjustment
# Color adjustment
# Rotating and flipping the image
# Red-eye reduction
# Cropping
# Auto-enhancement of your picture (a one-button fix)
# Saving files as JPEGs or TIFFs

Heres a Link

Easy Share Link

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/05/2006 04:48:05 PM · #17

Originally posted by buzzrock:

Thanks! I sent off the link.

BTW.. one N.. *ONE N!* hehe.

Message edited by author 2006-05-05 16:48:29.

dolphnz8

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

05/05/2006 04:52:20 PM · #18

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by dolphnz8:
I purchased PS 6.0 in order to use CS2 upgrade which was the cheapest route to go. I downloaded it, and then removed it. I'm not sure, but since it has been taken off of my computer, if someone else can register it, i would be happy to send it to you.

What happens for any reason you have to install again?... Prolly better to hold on to 6.0.

uuuuhhhhhhhhhhhh...teeheehee. Guess I was having a blonde moment :O)

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

05/05/2006 04:53:23 PM · #19

Originally posted by buzzrock:

Glenn, this is just what I was thinking. Somebody here has prolly got a copy that they could spare. Though Elements isn't the easiest possible editor, it's pretty straight forward, and should be easy for someone familiar with PS to provide instruction on. There are also a lot of web resources for Elements, but probably not so for most of the other free/low cost editors, with the exception of GIMP.
I personally would not recommend GIMP, it certainly does not qualify as easy, though the price is right.

buzzrock

Fujifilm X-M1

Fujifilm XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS

05/05/2006 05:00:16 PM · #20

Glen (with ONE "N"),

I also found this link-- Looks interesting-- Even supports RAW..

I might download this one just to check it out..

PhotoBasic 3

The problem with programs like picasso/Easyshare/and this one is they dont support any filters/plugins--

EDIT the RAW support might be in the Full-Version.

Message edited by author 2006-05-05 17:02:00.

05/05/2006 05:00:58 PM · #21

Originally posted by buzzrock:

I don't think the non-support will really be a problem in this case.