If you use a digital camera, you need a photo editing software program. Once you upload your digital pictures to your computer, you may realize that they need some editing. Maybe some cropping or brightening up. Or you realize that all of your subjects have the dreaded red eye. There is a host of photo editing software – right from free to about $650 that can help you fix your pictures.
GIMP – Free Download - GIMP is open-source photo editor and image creator software. It has been called the "free Photoshop" and it actually does have an interface similar to Photoshop. As with all open source software, you are mainly on your own to figure out how to use it and solve any issues you run into. Regular availability of updates could also be an issue. GIMP does have an extended FAQ, a help manual and an email list for support and most users report happy GIMP experiences without significant issues.
PhotoSuite 8 - $30 – Designed for home users, an excellent photo fixing and sharing software for beginners. Easy to use and fixes most errors automatically. You can also opt to edit your photos manually. PhotoSuite includes templates and a full set of special effects that allow you to create greeting cards and calendars. This software comes with an excellent online tutorial, a built-in Help Center and extra customer support complete with a user forum. If you don't need the bells and whistles (layers, complex customization), PhotoSuite is your best value for money.
PhotoImpact 12 - $50 - Has photo editing tools and features that rival software many times its price. You can enhance photos through drag-and-drop effects, styles and textures. You can export graphics to the web, create animated gifs, organize and share photos through email. It supports almost all file formats except PDF. This software’s drawback is its learning curve. It does contain a CD tutorial and other Help options but expect to spend some time trying to master this software’s features.
Photoshop Elements 5 - $100 – Created by Adobe which has been long considered the leader in this space. The professional version of Photoshop costs about $650 and is the favorite amongst professionals. Elements is a modified version of Photoshop for the consumer market. If you don’t mind spending the money, get this software. It is easy to use with plenty of help and support. It also has features that will grow with your expertise and allow you to expand your creativity. It supports the most common image formats, including PDF. A nice feature - you can create a slideshow in PDF format to send to whomever you wish.
William Brister - http://www.softwareproguide.com - A guide to all your software needs. http://www.businessproguide.com
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