Photoshop

bassman03 · #1 03-09-2011, 04:38 PM

What program of Photoshop do you guys use? The online one doesn't have that many options and I'm looking for something better. I like the program I have at my school, but I don't feel like shelling out 500 bucks or whatever for Adobe CS5.

Any input is great! Thanks in advance.

MJ5150 · #2 03-09-2011, 04:59 PM

I use GIMP.

-Mike

Sonic_Death · #3 03-09-2011, 06:02 PM

I use CS3. For a while I was using an old version of PS7.

GIMP is a great (and free) alternate to Photoshop. Arguably not as intuitive (at least it wasn't to me), but once you figure it out, it's easy to use.

Most printers/scanners come with free software nowadays as well. Things like HP Image Zone and stuff of the like. Those are pretty decent for simple tasks.

chuck norriss · #4 03-09-2011, 06:13 PM

I have an old version from 2004 or 5
You dont need a new version if you don't have to have things automated. I'm sure it's nice but essentially you're creating layers? working on ea layer, then compounding them right? you can do that manually. it might take 2.5 seconds to go to your menu bar & choose commands. a new suite isn't worth it for me. & i think they're more like $1K<

**Eric Perry** · #5 03-09-2011, 09:10 PM

I use CS5 when I'm really looking to do quality work. For quickies like the Atoz's and Tony's of the world, I generally use PS7. I like the GUI better.

Pascualito · #6 03-09-2011, 09:44 PM

Among other things, I write proposals and document conditions on construction projects. I use Photoshop Elements at work for fixing/tweaking/annotating photographs and sketches. Elements costs about $100, and does much more than I need. Today, for example, I scanned a sketch from the field, reoriented some text, cropped out unnecessary detail, tweaked contrast, erased handwritten scribbling, wrote in replacement text, and fixed highlighting where I had erased some handwriting. I'm not sure how much of that you could do with GIMP, though probably quite a bit.

For me, even Photoshop Elements was a steep learning curve. In retrospect, I should have taken a course to flatten the learning curve, but now everyone at work comes to me for help with Photoshop.

I have an older version at home that works almost as well as the new one.

My niece works in commercial art. She studied Photoshop as an undergrad. She told me the optimal way to produce her work is to rough out by hand, scan, and finish up with a program like Photoshop. She's right.

Ziltoid · #7 03-09-2011, 09:50 PM

I started on PS7 then went to CS2, then CS3 and now I'm legit with my license of CS4 that I sadly bought only a few months before CS5 came out.

DigMe · #8 03-09-2011, 10:04 PM

If you're a student then you can get the student edition of Photoshop CS5 for $170. You might be able to get it more through your school if they subsidize or have a deal. It's worth looking into.

Amazon.com: Adobe Photoshop Extended CS5 Student & Teacher Edition: Software

bc

DigMe · #9 03-09-2011, 10:06 PM

BTW, the best program I've found for doing all the basic processing of photos that you would do on the average photo set is Adobe Lightroom 3. I love it. You can't do all the masking and cloning and whatnot of photoshop but for color, exposure, etc.. I think it's tops.

bc

bassman03 · #10 03-10-2011, 05:01 PM

I went with GIMP becaues that was the first one that I saw and then saw that it was similar to photoshop layout. Any other people?

Jimbob Jones · #11 03-10-2011, 05:15 PM

+1 for gimp; I'd definitely make sure that it doesn't do what you need before you spend any money, if you see what I mean.

IconBasser · #12 03-10-2011, 05:21 PM

I don't know if you're in college or if your college offers any deals on Adobe products.

i was able to purchase the entire CS5 master suite (retails for about $2,500) for 90 bucks through my school.

BurningSkies · #13 03-10-2011, 05:35 PM

I have a CS2 that I use for photoshop and illustrator. I have an old one (8?)that I keep around for quickish stuff. I use Lightroom to triage my real photos before going to photoshop.

CS2 Premium Cost 50$ for me when CS 3 came out...and yes I get educational discount. The current Adobe CS5 Design standard is currently carrying the educational price of 259.00

CrispyDelicious · #14 03-10-2011, 06:22 PM

I use CS3 (at work), though I haven't posted a 'shop here in ages, and my work usually consists of glorified cut-and-paste >_>

sonic assassin · #15 03-10-2011, 11:41 PM

CS3. but 7 was my favorite.

Atoz · #16 03-11-2011, 12:43 AM

GIMP because you can't beat the price (free), and it runs on Linux.

tylerwylie · #17 03-11-2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atoz

GIMP because you can't beat the price (free), and it runs on Linux.

Yup, works on BSD too if you like a truly free OS, none of that GPL nonsense

(Yes I know the GIMP is GPL licensed too, no software's perfect)

sonic assassin · #18 03-11-2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IconBasser

I don't know if you're in college or if your college offers any deals on Adobe products.

i was able to purchase the entire CS5 master suite (retails for about $2,500) for 90 bucks through my school.

yea my tuition came with cs3 master suite. kinda nice, even if all i use is PS and flash.

bassman03 · #19 03-11-2011, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IconBasser

I don't know if you're in college or if your college offers any deals on Adobe products.

i was able to purchase the entire CS5 master suite (retails for about $2,500) for 90 bucks through my school.

I'm currently a senior in high school, but I'll have to look into that in college. What was your major?

**Eric Perry** · #20 03-11-2011, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic assassin

CS3. but 7 was my favorite.

Yeah, I really like 7. As I said earlier, I choose it over CS5 often.