Hey, what programs do you all use to edit pictures and stuff? If you can also post a link to it that would be great! Thanks!

Photofiltre
Infranview

FAQ Frequently Used Software List.

:)

The most popular and probably easiest program is photoshop. Commanly referenced to as PS. I can't give you a link. Sorry.

Popular, yes ? Easy for everyone to use ... maybe not.

amen...i just loaded it, and have no @$@#$ clue how to begin using it.

For images, all you'll need is photofiltre though, which is almost exactly the same thing(?).

before photoshop .. people used sharp rocks and twine made from horsehair

Photoshop only seems complicated because it is so powerful. You don't need to learn how to use all aspects of it straight off... I'm sure there are still many elements of that application that I haven't used, and some that I probably never will.

I have used Microsoft's Photoed for years and find it does most of what I want to do. I've dropped it down to a floppy disc (yes!) and gone from Pc to PC, since sometimes it is not loaded as a common file.
I've dabbled with Photoshop and Corel, but I sometimes think that if I need to do so much to a shot, I took it wrongly in the first place!
Kate

Paint Shop Pro is less expensive than Photoshop and, in my experience, has a less steep learning curve. I have both.

I use Photoshop primarily and it is confusing at first. Like someone else said I probably won't ever use half of it's features but it's nice to have them. Programs like ACDSee will do most of the tasks most needed by photographers and presents them in a more user-friendly way. However, the results can be somewhat crude, at least compared with PS. Paint Shop Pro is supposed to be almost the equal of PS but, as mentioned above, with an easier learning curve. I can't comment directly because I don't use it. I might download it and have a go though ;o)

gimp if, like me, you don't want to shell out for Photoshop. Or if, even more like me, you'd rather use an open source solution.

Inkscape is another open source option, but I'm not sure whether it is suitable for editing photos - likely not as it tends to be compared with Illustrator rather than Photoshop.

- cfr

OK. I've been using Paint Shop Pro for the last few days and I love it. It seems pretty much as powerful as Photoshop and it's a damn site easier to use. It's also much cheaper, if you really have to buy software. I prefer not to ;o)

Edited because I'm daft.

well .. calling paint shop pro by a different name will keep the federales off your trail ... I'll slow 'em down if they ask me which way you went .. :o)

the trouble with Photoshop is most of it's power is tucked away within the dark depths of its programming and unless you're used to using it over consecutive versions you probably wont even be aware of half of its capabilities. It costs a lot for a reason - because its the best and most powerful commercial image editing package out there. It's also the most expandable through a vast array of third party plug-ins that further expand its capabilities. most rival versions that look and feel similar such as the gimp are pretty much either just superficial facsimiles or reverse engineered versions of previous Adobe software.

The simple fact is that Photoshop is the proverbial sledge hammer to crack most peoples walnuts. It’s expandability and power is probably far more than most hobby artists would ever need and unless you fall into the serious/curious amateur or commercial retoucher/artist category - cheaper and more simplistic software would suit you just as well. A bit like buying a Ferrari Enzo but then driving around 25mph zones all day long.

What about Photoshop Elements? Is it any good? Or does it leave out crucial Photoshop functionality for a budget pricetag?

yes - sort of - it depends if you consider the missing elements such as curve adjustments, channel mixing and better masking etc as crucial functionality.

Photoshop gets better and better as you get more involved with it....Experiment! Noodle around! That's the only way you can really ace at it! It took me almost a decade to get at the point where I am now, and I still am considered just an intermediate...Oh, and take advantage of plenty of free and shareware Photoshop plug-ins available via the net too!

I got lost in photoshop once. Had to make an image of myself screaming help to attract the attention of people in the household and even then they just pulled the plug.

*ahem* Photoshop. Expensive but trustworthy and just cosmic if you have the time to play with it. I haven't had the time. One day I will...keeping its secrets tucked away for another day.

The Gimp. Free, and easy to use. Also, has nearly all of the things that photoshop has.