Microsoft Digital Image software

[Shutterfly]

Just wondering what everyone thinks about Microsofts digital imaging software? I am new at photography and am currently using it because it is easy. I tried using Adobe Photoshop but couldnt figure it out. I do not even know what a "layer" is..... Dont laugh but that is where I am at in my amatuer photography skills....

[ponder]

Tina,
We all have to start out somewhere. I use Adobe Photoshop Elements myself as it is a lot easier to learn and a lot more reasonable in cost than full Photoshop. I have watched videos on layers and read articles and I'm still at square one like you on layers. Some day I may take a class and get some one on one instruction. I myself don't like to use editing software other than for fixing small problems, sharpening and levels, which is adjusting the highlights, midtones and shadows in my images. It's better to become one with your camera and to learn all of the features it has to offer first and then learn the software for editing your images second.

Dave

[Andrask]

Photoshop CS2 certainly has a steep learning curve.

If you just want to do fairly basic editing (along the sensible lines mentioned by ponder) you could start with the freeware, Irfanview: http://www.irfanview.com/

You can use it to convert between many graphics formats, resize and resample, change hue, gamma value, saturation, and sharpen to mention the main features. It's a smaller program and is much simpler to use than PS.

I often use it first before going to the more involved edits with PS.

[LeeBob]

You definitely want to use Photoshop ELements. Anything to do with photo editing is almost owned by Adobe and they really are the industry standard by which others are judged. Also, that is what most people use and therefore it will be easier for you to get online help as so many use it and can therefore help you.You can usually find PS Elements way under a hundred bucks (I've seen as low as $69).

I used it for two years before I decided to upgrade to full blown Photoshop. I was amazed. PH Elements did everything I needed to do in photography and at times I wondered why I upgraded. Anyway, Adobe really does give the amateur and prosumer a great prgm in PSE. If you can find one of those download and try before you buy would be the best way to go.

LB

[pippafox]

Shutterfly - we seem to be in the same boat and ive just posted a new thread not realising this one is more or less the same.
I have been trying a 30 day free trial of ACDSee Pro 9 (becaue i get so muddled on these web pagesi will have to go to another posting in order to copy and paste the link - i'll be back with it) anyway it seems a really good program and im considering buying it. however ive just downloaded the link andrask posted above and this seems pretty easy to use also. good luch with finding the right software
pippa

[pippafox]

shutterfly
here is the link and message from paul i just mentioned

"Download a trial copy of > ACDSee Pro

Top features
>> http://www.acdsee.com/products/acdseepro/topfeatures

Download trial version
>> http://downloads.acdsystems.com/en/acdseepro.exe

I use ACDsee to download and keep track of my images ’‚’‚…‚’‚‚¦.. and I’‚’‚…‚’‚…¾‚m very pleased with it


__________________
Best Regards
Paul "

from pippa

[RTaylor]

I own MS DIS latest version and love it for printing my note cards and calendars.

My only problem with it is it doesnt save files at 16bit tiff. It always automatically converts to 8bit even after opening up a 16bit file saved from Nikon Capture NX

So I dont use it for editing photos, just for cards and the like because of the ability to save in png format