help this newbie with software choices

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/13/2006 05:12:38 PM · #1

I am stressing myself out here...

I am a total newbie when it comes to digital photo editing.

I am totally new to this site and I want to participate in challenges but it really seems like digital photography is one part photography and 2 parts editing.

I have Corel Photo Paint from the "Essentials" package but I have no idea where to start.

I am good at computers and pick things up very fast but this digital photo editing is not very intuitive for me. I need a tutorial or something to get me going.

What editing software is my best bet? I know PS has a tremendous amount of support and tutorials.

Is Photoshop Elements 4.0 enough? I really cannot spend a ton of money right now. I was thinking about this:

amazon

Am I better off with earlier versions? Should I save up for the full version?

Please help!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

05/13/2006 05:19:03 PM · #2

Check the tutorials posted here under the Learn menu, especially the ones on resampling and sharpening. The software you have is probably good enough for now, and Elelments is a good choice if you are short on funds; you can probably upgrade to PS at a discount later on if you need to.

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/13/2006 05:20:27 PM · #3

Hey there Kristen.....Welcome to dpc! I started out with PS Elements 2 (came with the camera) found it a good place to learn, it had hints/tips that made it easier for a newbie to PS.

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

05/13/2006 06:52:20 PM · #4

HI Slickchick,

Welcome to DPC. I'm not sure if your interested or not. But recently I purchased 2 Wacom Tablets. Both came with software bundle CD's that I will never use. It has Photoshop Elements 2.0, Corel Painter Essentials 2, Color Efex Pro 2.0 GE. All of the programs are unused and have the serial numbers for them. I already have Elements 4.0 and CS2. These are yours as a welcoming gift free of charge if you would like to have them. If so Private message me and send me a mailing address and I will mail the CD to you free of charge. I'm sure there are changes in the Elements 4.0 that you are looking at and the version thats on here. But it would be a great place to learn and the price is right. Let me know. And again welcome to DPC.

Edit to add that alot of times with Adobe if you have a lower edition of a product you can update to a newer version at a lowered price if done online. Not sure if thats true with elements or not. But you may look into it.

MattO

Message edited by author 2006-05-13 19:27:54.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

05/13/2006 07:13:36 PM · #5

I'd agree that Photoshop elements 4.0 is a a very good choice. It will do a lot of what Photoshop will do, and if you do later decide to move to Photoshop, you'll have the advantage of having used a program with a very similar interface. Photoshop will then come a lot easier.
BTW, although some pics here have had extensive, complicated editing, the majority (and I do mean the vast majority) can be replicated pretty closely from their original in 5 minutes or so.

Message edited by author 2006-05-13 19:16:20.

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

06/10/2006 04:42:23 PM · #6

Thank you all...I decided to by a Wacom Graphire4 tablet and got PS Elements 3.0 with it...pretty sweet deal since I got the tablet for $50 through Amazon.com.

shanelighter

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

06/10/2006 05:05:04 PM · #7

DPC does no endore acquiring software illegally.

Message edited by ursula - wrong kind of endorsement.

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

06/10/2006 10:21:20 PM · #8

What the heck are you talking about?

I did not get anything illegally.

Photoshop Elements 3.0 came with the Graphire4 tablet.

I am offended that you are insinuating that I am using pirated software.

Especially when I could obtain illegal copies of PS and chose not to.

Message edited by author 2006-06-11 01:00:55.

coolhar

06/11/2006 12:49:17 AM · #9

Originally posted by slickchik:

... I am good at computers and pick things up very fast but this digital photo editing is not very intuitive for me. I need a tutorial or something to get me going.

What editing software is my best bet? ....

If you are a total newbie to photo editing software, and you are good with computers as you say, then I'd reccommend to start with the GIMP. It's a complete full featured photo editing program and it's totally free. There is a dedicated group of software developers that keep improving it all the time and there are many tutorials available too.

Once you have started with another program it is harder to switch than it is to learn from the beginning.

Here's acouple of limks to get you going:

GIMP Users Group

download GIMP for Windows here

GIMP Users Manual

GIMP Plug-ins

UFRAW - the RAW Converter for GIMP

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/11/2006 12:57:49 AM · #10

Originally posted by slickchik:

I suspect what happened is that his post included information on obtaining software illegally and it was edited out by the Site Council.