Photoshop vs the 'other guys'

[dmspelic]

I'm rather new to digital photography, and have been using with my 30D a version (11) of Corel Paint shop Pro along with Canon's Digital Photo Professional package. I'm quite satisfied. However, nearly all discussions as well as photo magazines seem bent on Adobe Photoshop. Why? Is it really worth all that money (new lens)? Or perhaps is it really intended for a narrow sector of the photography community? What can it do that other, more reasonably priced packages can't? Appreciate your thoughts.

[Headcase650]

Photoshop is the dominant program in the commercial world, everything from advertising, graphic design and printing. If every company used different software it would get way more complicated than it already is. For the average guy, use what you like and can afford. Most people don't need photoshop, I only use maybe 25% of its capabilities and it doesnt offer any of the neat consumer projects like calanders, slideshow makers or collages that elements and the other consumer geared programs do.

If your happy with what you have don't worry about it. If you do want to upgrade but dont want to fork out the big bucks look at photoshop elements. A lot of the mag tutorials will include instructions for elements. Also, the features that elements lacks like layer masks are available as plugins that can be added later if you need them.

[tzalman]

Nearly six years ago I had to decide on an editor for home use. I had previously used PS 5.5 at work (although I actually preferred Paint Shop that I installed and used when the boss wasn't looking). After surveying the field I settled on Picture Window Pro, primarily because it was the only program that had, at that time, complete 16 bit support. It also seemed more photography oriented. Since then PS has caught up as regards the bit depth but I have never been tempted to abandon PWP. A couple years ago my wife brought me PS 7. I installed it and then took it off a month later.

[davidcrebelxt]

Glad to see the suggestions above, and Headcase makes a good point. If you are pleased with your results, don't worry too much; also that there are cheaper options out there.

Photoshop Elements or Paintshop Pro is very good for a beginner as its easy on the eyes and relatively easy to get used to, and not TOO expensive; while still having more funtionality than you can shake a stick at. The skills you learn there will translate pretty easily should you decide to "upgrade" down the road. A little more complicated (but free! (opensource)) is the GIMP. (www.gimp.org.) I do not suggest that ANYONE just starting out in the realm of digital photography/post-processing rush out and buy full blown CS3.

[dmspelic]

Many thanks for the replies. Glad to hear from experts.

[cosworth]

Other guys? I don't really know of any other guys that compete.

Sorta like "Do I buy that Jaguar or do I take the free shopping trolley? Gimp is close but not really. Corel? They still make software? ;)

[bieber]

If you're considering Elements, consider that Gimp does more for free. It's not quite up there with Photoshop, but it's a very capable image editor, and I've been astounded with the progress it's been making just lately.