Looking for opinions on photo editing software

[WEDFan]

And believe me, there aren't many forums where I'd actually come out and ask for opinions. Even here some of the opinions can be pretty frightening.

I've been using PhotoShop CS2 for a number of years. I use some features a lot, but am in no way a real power user. I do the standard adjustments, clean up backgrounds with the clone tool, do perspective cropping, adjust exposure on selected portions of the image, color replacement, etc.

Well, I recently upgraded my computer so I figured it was time to upgrade the photo editing software and I found out that Adobe is now doing a subscription for PhotoShop. The monthly rate just isn't worth it for me. I looked online and found CS5 and CS6 versions for $250-$450 which is a little better, but I'm wondering what other people have experience with. I think a few people here have been know to modify pictures. *cough* Hobie *cough*

I did a search and one product in particular that got my attention was Serif's PhotoPlus. Seemed similar to what I'm used to at a fraction of the cost. Anyone have any experience with it or any other products?

What you got for me????

[Zazu]

I use and recommend GIMP (GNU Image Manipulatoin Program). It's Open Source, thus free, and available for both Linux and Windows. I can't vouch for how it handles all the work you described, but it's good enough for the magazine I edit and the smilies.

Visit online at http://www.gimp.org/.

[hobie16]

*cough* Hobie *cough*

Ironically, I heard that same line two weeks ago during my annual physical.

I've been a Photoshop user for a long time. Adobe's subscription plan has me looking at options too. I'll hang on to CS5 until an OS upgrade finally kills it.

One neat package that works as either a Photoshop plug-in or standalone app is onOne Software's Perfect Photo Suite 8. It's on sale for $100. It's got easy to use pro tools that make anyone look very skilled.

[Big Wallaby]

I am very disappointed with the direction they went with CC and the subscriptions, as it puts their products out of price range for most people who are not using their products to make money. Fortunately they do put CS2 on their website for free use, so perhaps someday they'll do the same with 5 or 6.

But for now, I am going to cast a second vote for GIMP. Bit of a learning curve, but it can pretty much do everything Photoshop can. If there's anything it can't do... there's probably a plugin for that.

If you're looking to do 3D modeling, my wife LOVES Blender, which is also open source. Like it's paid-for alternative 3D Studio Max, Blender has a steep learning curve, but once you have it down as much as my wife does, and she considers herself to still be novice, you can do amazing things with it.

[BRWombat]

Ditto on GIMP. It may not be as fancy as PS, but it can do just about everything, and you can't beat the price. The Wombat Caption Contest photos are produced with GIMP -- as was this Marsupial welcome graphic (with an add-on called GAP, the GIMP Animation Package):



(Please forgive the non-welcoming usage of it.)

[YANXWIN]

Just wondering if you are still alive, or if you have turned into an popcicle with the cold snap.

[WEDFan]

Just wondering if you are still alive, or if you have turned into an popcicle with the cold snap.

Who were you wondering about? If me, as O.P., I am still unfrozen. We're only around zero here, but the wind chills hurt (around -16 currently).

Good times! :xmas-smiley-010:

BTW, I've started looking at GIMP and will download a copy to see what it has to offer. Thanks for the input, all.