Editing Software

[Drumbeat]

I'd really like to start editing some photos and am thinking of buying Photoshop. Any recommendations for a beginner?

[persephone]

What exactly do you hope to achieve with the editing program?

Do you primarily want to straighten/lighten./remove red eye/remove blemishes?

or do you want to add special effects/work with RAW files/add textures/layers etc?

there are lots of free programs which do the basic chores and are MUCH easier to operate than photoshop.

I am a techno dummy.

I use mostly PICASA and also am enjoying playing with Lightroom 3 beta version currently on a free trial until April!!

Sometimes I use GIMP another free program.

[Drumbeat]

Thanks for those suggestions, I'll try the free downloads and see how I go.

[Got Spots]

PICASA

It is free and a good starting place definately

Also GIMP if you want to do some more technical stuff - also free

[Rach...]

I use Corel Paint Shop Pro, it is fairly simple once you get the hang of it and everything I can do with it is self taught and just from looking through all the various things

[Shelby]

I use Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 which I bought off ebay for $42.00. It came with a few other programmes included - MediaOne Plus and Painter Photo Essentials 4. Love Painter Essentials - it "paints" your photos for you. Have attached a head shot that I did from a photo that I took.