Photoshop options

[Scoot]

I'm looking for some software that'll let me edit/tweak/modify pictures. I know there's Photoshop Elements as an option that is cheaper than the full version, but what about other options that are out there and are free? I've heard about Picasa and Gimpshop-- are they reasonable options? Anyone have experience with them? What will they let me do and not do that I might be able do Photoshop?

Also, how about userfriendliness? How userfriendly are these free options? I know nothing about using Photoshop- I'm told it's not the most userfriendly...

Any other options that I should consider?

Any info appreciated!

[Steve Foss]

I downloaded gimp and tried it out and found it a PITA to use.

[mmeyer]

I have used Picasa and I found it to be very user friendly and you can do quite a bit of editing for free software. I recommend it to the members of my photography club if they are looking for entry level free stuff. In my opinion though, I would get Photoshop Elements. You can get an older version for less than $50 and it will do everything you need and then some. The learning curve is longer than say, Picasa but you have a lot more software at your fingertips also.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Good luck

[MN Shutterbug]

I've downloaded Gimp, just to see what it's like, and didn't care for it. It didn't even have a "shadows and highlights" feature. I'm with Mr. Meyer. Go with Elements. It will do all you need it to do and more.

[Paul]

Scoot, I know a lot of people who whose Photoshop Lightroom. It is similar to that of Photoshop but designed more for digital photography than creativeness such as Photoshop is for. It is fairly easier to master and your can do a lot of things with yoru photos in Lightroom. Many members of the FM camera club use lightroom.

[Steve Foss]

I like Adobe Lightroom a lot for some tasks, especially batching large bunches of files, but it is more expensive then Elements.