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Photo editing software for under 150eur

  • 18-05-2011 2:33pm
    #1
    tullaman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26 ✭


    Hi All, I know this question or something like it gets asked regularly. And if I can I'll post a roundup of the pro & cons of the various options available (I'm surprised there isn't a sticky on it).

    Basically I have eur120 to 150 to spend on editing software. I shoot jpeg (Nikon D40) and I would be interested in the following enhancements/features - colour/contrast adjustment (ie adding a bit of oomph), stitching up panoramas & using bracketed exposures for HDR (high dynamic range rendering).

    I'd also welcome suggestions on the best software plus manual combo; I like the idea of reading up on techniques & features from the comfort of my bed before hauling myself in front of a screen!

    PS: I have tried The Gimp and even with the various you-tube based tutorials on it, it's a bit of steep learning curve. I'd rather pay some money and spend more time taking and enhancing photos rather than struggling with software.

    Thanks for any & all suggestions, Tullaman.


Comments

  • #2
    jaybeeveedub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 275 ✭✭jaybeeveedub


    I'd give a second hand copy of lightroom a twirl, or a new copy if you are a student or teacher....

    It does a lot for little money.... I use LR2 for all my pre-PS (layers, sharpeing etc) and find it excellent

    you might even find PS second hand on ebay for that money... CS2 is all you'll ever need unless you REALLY want HDR...


  • #3
    ValueInIreland
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 335 ✭✭ValueInIreland


    Photoshop Elements 9 is a great package, does 90% of what Photoshop does and 99% of what most people want to do. It's only about €90.


  • #4
    AnCatDubh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,393 ✭✭✭AnCatDubh


    ValueInIreland wrote: »
    Photoshop Elements 9 is a great package, does 90% of what Photoshop does and 99% of what most people want to do. It's only about €90.

    Thats a lorra 9's :)


  • #5
    kev88
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8 ✭kev88


    Second hand copy of lightroom! if he's shooting jpegs he's obviously a novice.
    Go grab a copy of photoshop elements its easier to learn and only €90 new and updatability plus it helps organize your images.
    p.s. Gimp is for poor pro's


  • #6
    CabanSail
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 9,047 CMod ✭✭✭✭CabanSail


    There should have been a package that came with the camera. You can probably get updated versions from the Nikon site too. They should be free. I shoot Nikon but really only use Photoshop.

    Gimp, Photoshop and Elements are all multilayer editors which will require a bit of an investment in learning to get to grips with them. You may also be advised to shoot RAW to get the best data to feed them. I've heard good reports about Picassa as a free single layer editor. It may be worth a look.


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  • #7
    jumbone
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 609 ✭✭✭jumbone


    get a "student and teacher edition" licence for photoshop. PS CS5 Extended is €195 on software4students.ie and LR3 is €80. You might get these versions cheaper again if you buy second hand or look on ebay. Obviously you would need to be a student or teacher to get these ;). I think the licence covers family members too so if its not for commercial use i'd go for it...


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