What is the best photo image program for making changes to pix?

[Powerstroke2000]

I'm fairly new to the digital photo programs, so I thought I would see if you folks had any knowledge on which programs work best to alter photos?

I have a digital camera, and would like to keep them at as high a resolution as possible, yet still have the ability to make them smaller, and possibly reduce red eye (if showing) or make an object/person closer ( cropping?) or bring them into the forefront more so etc.?

Is there possibly a free program out there, or one of minimal cost, or perhaps a trial version that isn't too demanding on the user?

I've recently been at my a relatives wedding, and want to send some photo's off to the parents, but would like to alter/make positive changes to the pix prior to doing so.

Thanks..

Dale

[Gibble]

I personally think the best photo program is Adobe Photoshop, I'm not sure what the prices are on that in the states, but it can run pretty high up here. Second choice would have to be Jasc's Paint Shop Pro. Again, not sure of the pricing down in the states, but here in Canada, it's about $130 or so (at least it was when I bought it and last checked) Final choice would be Gimp. It's a free program that can do just about anything Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro can do and would do everything you want it to with ease.

I use all three but mostly Paint Shop Pro just cause I find it's the easiest. Again though, I would say try Gimp before buying anything, I think you'll be impressed if you don't mind taking the time to learn the program. All the best to you.

[mairving]

Would probably throw Photoshop Elements in there for a great low end program. Some of the Microsoft ones like PictureIt or whatever it is called now, I think Digital Image Pro are good as well.

[juicelooser]

I'll second Photoshop. It is hands down the most powerful program out there. However, if you don't want to shell out the money for Photoshop, you can go for Photoshop Elements, which is only $99. You probably won't even notice the difference between the two because the features that aren't in Elements are features that, unless you're a very serious editor, you won't ever need. Elements is also more user friendly.

[shazam]

For the bucks piantshop pro 8 is hard to beat. Go to www.jasc.com for a free trial offer.

[doctorgonzo]

GIMP is free.

[raftero]

depends on how much you want to do, i use irfan , it's free and you can ghange size, brighten , etc. my wife takes a lot of pictures for the family and sends out on internet and she is happy with it. you can google it,it pretty basic but does what i want.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by doctorgonzo GIMP is free.

Hey doctorgonzo,

I've heard of GIMP but never tried it. Just how powerful is it?

Cricket

[doctorgonzo]

I've only just started fooling around with GIMP, so I am no expert. However, it seems to be just as feature-laden as Photoshop for the most part. You would have to ask somebody with more experience with it for a better opinion.

[juicelooser]

I've played around with GIMP as well, and, although it took some getting used to, it turned out to be just as powerful as Photoshop. I prefer Photoshop though because I like its interface. However, if you don't want to shell out the $100 for Photoshop Elements, GIMP is a fine program.

[Cricket]

Thanks for the info guys.

Cricket

[Marc]

Originally Posted by raftero depends on how much you want to do, i use irfan , it's free and you can ghange size, brighten , etc. my wife takes a lot of pictures for the family and sends out on internet and she is happy with it. you can google it,it pretty basic but does what i want.

I also like Irfanview. It's a great little program. It's greatness lies in its simplicity. If you are only planning on doing basic things like cropping, color adjusting, etc., you can do what you want to do easily and quickly without fumbling around how to figure out how to use it. It also doubles as a simple image viewer to quickly browse through various images. Plus it's FREE. If you want to get very fancy, then you would have to move up to a more powerful (and complex) program.

I've bought MS-PictureIt and "another program who's name escapes me at the moment", but I don't use them anymore because I don't need their extra features and IrfanView is so much easier to use.

[TwoRails]

I like Paint Shop Pro. It has won many reviews and is usually compared to PhotoShop, but it's less expensive. Everyone I know that has tried it also loves the program. I can easily do everything you list, and a heck of a lot more. I often see it on sale for under $50 USD.

[Hi Ho]

I use Microsoft Picture It Digital Image Pro 7.0 and it is a very nice program. It's very powerful and mostly easy to use. There are newer versions now.

[TheMajor]

Easy progs:
Jasc Paintshop
AcdSee

Very good ones:
PhotoShop
theGimp
Ulead PhotoImpact!!!!!!!

[TwoRails]

Originally Posted by TheMajor Easy progs: Jasc Paintshop AcdSee Very good ones: PhotoShop theGimp Ulead PhotoImpact!!!!!!!

I'm surprised you didn't also list Paint Shop Pro under the "very good ones" column. When being reviewed, it is normally compared to Photoshop, as it is that good.

[TheMajor]

i'm sorry TwoRails...you are totaly right..PaintShop does belong in both because it's easy to use and very professional

[kram 2.0]

Adobe Photoshop Elements - good price, very versatile. For mainstream users, this 120 USD software is more than enough. I deal with website designing and such so I use Adobe Photoshop CS, but the liscence cost is pretty substantial. Irfanviewer is also good, as raftero mentioned.

Hope that helps,
kram

[shazam]

powerstroke.
After reading your ? over i donot think you are asking for the best program out there (example)Photoshop but the best program for your needs. Those needs are prity basic.You probably allready have such programs. If you have a scanner or printer you have such programs.You are not asking to do very much. But as others have ans. if your needs are more, then all the free programs mention will do more than what is in your ?.i learn more and more reading this forum. I never realized that there is so many good free programs out there.Maybe some one should start a list of these programs.Digital camera sales are off the charts and more of us will be looking for such programs.

[mariner]

i wud say u go for irfan view as it is free and user friendly.once u have mastered this art then u can go for any paid softwares u think might be the best

[tacoeater]

I use Paintshop Pro 7 (red eye)
and
Irfanview (free download) change resolution, brightness, etc.
http://www.irfanview.com/

[Mac Medic]

We use paintshop pro at work, just upgraded to 8.0 and immediately went back to 7.0. Version 8.0 has a bug that most people will never run into but it bit us hard. We use very large single bit (black and white tiff) images in AutoCad, PSP v.7.0 handles them perfectly whereas version 8.0 trys to assign a full 8bits to each pixel and dies a horrible death . Jasc were able to replicate the problem using an image we sent to them and have said they will fix it in version 9 AND upgrade our site license to v9.0 for free when it is released. How is that for customer service!!!! excellent.

[patrickt]

The best, in my opinion, is the one that does what you want to do and no more. I use Picture Window Pro and it works fine for me.

[shazam]

oem Did the patch to 8.10 take care of that problem?

[JTH]

The majority of people use Photoshop. I have Photoshop Elements but not the full Photoshop program itself. Did your camera not include any editing software? The main program I use is Microsoft Picture It! Express. It's a few years old but surprisingly versatile and it does everything I need it to (just be sure to save in JPG not its default Picture It! format). Couldn't tell you prices as I got this for free with a Gateway computer (it's part of the Works Suite 2000 software bundle).

[Mhollinr]

I use Polyview from Polybytes

It has a free preview, the only limitation I believe is a registration reminder. It is packed with features, you can see a list of them at the above site.

with all of those features, the best part is that it's only $29.99 for a single computer.

[Mac Medic]

Originally Posted by shazam oem Did the patch to 8.10 take care of that problem?

No, unfortunately not, but with v9.0 not too far away and their pledge to upgrade us for free, we really don't mind, 7.0 does everything we need anyway, we just like to keep our licenses current for support reasons.

Personally, I use photoshop CS and utilize a great deal of it's functionality.

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by oem_guy_2002 No, unfortunately not, but with v9.0 not too far away and their pledge to upgrade us for free, we really don't mind, 7.0 does everything we need anyway, we just like to keep our licenses current for support reasons. Personally, I use photoshop CS and utilize a great deal of it's functionality.

Nothing much can beat Adobe Photoshop when it comes to functionality at mainstream level

kram

[shazam]

OEM paintshop 9 update is now available. I may upgrade. Kram8806 you are right in my opinion. I have paintshop 8 and photoshop 7.Photoshop 7 is the golden boy. My opinion only.

[TwoRails]

Where are you finding Paint Shop Pro 9 at, shazam? It was still pre-order only at their site just a short while ago.