Which Photo Software to Choose?

[Jalva22]

I'm a digital camera newbie, but have just ordered a panasonic fz15. I want to also buy some software, as I've read the panasonic-packaged software leaves something to be desired. My wants are to have basic editing tools (redeye removal, doesn't have to be fancy) and good organizing tools. I really want to be able to organize my photos well on my pc. Any suggestions?

[Geoff Chandler]

I am probably NOT the best person to be answering this one.
However - For organising I love 'ACDsee' which is a bit like Explorer with thumbnails and slideshow and other things - I sort, arrange, and view using that - I believe you can download a trial version of the internet.
For Graphics I would like a nice new program myself - but there is Paint Shop Pro and Photo Shop and Adobe to name just a few. I use different ones myself for different things - My main one at the moment is 'Serif' which is a bit like several of them all in one but I use something else for the Red Eye (forgoten the name for the moment) - but you would need to shop around and see what does what you want best I guess. I am sure others will add to this comment though.
Geoff :rolleyes:

[D70FAN]

I'm a digital camera newbie, but have just ordered a panasonic fz15. I want to also buy some software, as I've read the panasonic-packaged software leaves something to be desired. My wants are to have basic editing tools (redeye removal, doesn't have to be fancy) and good organizing tools. I really want to be able to organize my photos well on my pc. Any suggestions?



There are several options:

1. Try the Pansonic software bundle (it will probably suffice for your needs)

2. Try a freebee like Irfanview (http://www.irfanview.com/)

3. Buy Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0. You can learn most of Photoshop's functions this way and can transistion (if needed) to the full version easily.

4. Buy one of the other photo processor programs like Paint Shop Pro.

I suggest 1 and 3, and would be willing to bet that the Panasonic bundle will work fine, at least at first. You can always try something new down the road.

[Jalva22]

How about for making slide shows with audio? I should have mentioned that in my list of desires above.

[gstafleu]

For a freebie, try xnview, http://www.xnview.com/
With it you can browse through directories and see your images as thumbnails. Double clicking lets you edit an image, including red-eye reduction. I use it all the time as an image browser and viewer.

For a non-freebie, Photoshop Elements 3 is a good candidate. It has extensive organizing and editing options. You can download a trial version from http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html

[speaklightly]

For slide shows with audio try therse:

Jasc Paintshop Photo Album 5.0
Roxio Easy Media Creator 7

For Photo Processing and Adjustments try these:

ACD Systems 7.0 ( there is a special right now)
Digital Image Pro Ver 10
Adobe Photo Elements 3.0

Sarah Joyce

[D70FAN]

How about for making slide shows with audio? I should have mentioned that in my list of desires above.

Should be doable in most of these. Irfanview can do this in the slideshow function.

[gr7797]

I just started using corel, and I like it so far. However it doesnt seem that there is a crop tool on it. Do any of these other programs allow you to crop images? what happens once you crop the image, can you save the cropped image back to the memory card?

[TDT]

I would like to offer the suggestion that if you have a mac to use iPhoto. iPhoto is one of the best photo programs I've seen - for organization and some touching up. For touching up, and modifications, I use Adobe Photoshop.

[Rhys]

If they'll now cope with exif data then Ulead Photo Explorer and Ulead Photo Plus 4 are pretty good.

[rwinnj]

Try Picasa2.
It's free software from Google, so there isn't much point in devoting much time to debating it's value- just get it and try it.

It does all the things that have been mentioned here so far as needs.

- Instant fix and fine tuning for color adjustment, contrast, lighting, sharpen
- Crop
- Slide show w/ sound
- slide show as movie
- email
-burn to cd/dvd with sound
-photoshare chat function
-0picture blog w/free webspace
-organize photos on hard drive
-more

-----

If Picasa2 isn't sufficient, buy Photoshop elements.
If money is no object, or you intend to be a fulltime professional photographer in the next few months buy the full Photoshop.

If you use your camera to take movies, and want to edit them, splice them together, add soundtracks, titles, special effects, etc, try Windows MovieMaker- also free- from Microsoft.

[gary_hendricks]

Hi

Geoff and George have good recommendations.
For freeware, I like to use the GIMP, which has almost what Adobe Photoshop CS has. Find it at www.gimp.org (http://www.gimp.org).

For commercial software, my favorites are Ulead PhotoImpact 10 for quick touch ups, Paint Shop Pro 9 or Adobe Photoshop Elements 3 for intermediate editing options, and Adobe Photoshop CS for advanced level work.

Good luck!